Items Similar to Antique French Ormolu Mounted Roll Top Desk in the Style of Riesener

Ormolu-Mounted Marquetry Roll-Top Desk Attributed to P. Bernard

French Ormolu And Lacquer Chinoiserie Bureau Plat Desk, 19c

19th Century French Louis XV Style Ormolu Mounted Writing Desk

C19th French Ormolu Mounted Louis XV1 Style Writing Desk

Fine Antique French Ormolu Bureau Plat Desk After Linke 19th Century

Rococo Style Writing Desk Mounted with Gilt Bronze

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 9

Antique French Ormolu Mounted Roll Top Desk in the Style of Riesener

$62,635.10

£45,000

€52,961.86

CA$85,963.54

A$90,828.15

CHF 48,854.94

MX$1,087,520.63

NOK 612,095.21

SEK 560,590.37

DKK 395,477.99

About the Item

Antique French ormolu mounted roll top desk in the style of Riesener French, 19th Century Height 120cm, width 146cm, depth 73cm This magnificent 19th-century bureau à cylindre, also known as a roll top desk, is a remarkable tribute to the opulent Louis XV style. Reflecting the elegance and craftsmanship of French royal furniture, it draws inspiration from the celebrated work of Jean-Henri Riesener (German, 1734-1806) and Jean-François Oeben (German, 1721-1763), master cabinetmakers to the king and creators of the famed Bureau du Roi. Topped with a richly veined rouge marble slab, the desk is bordered by an ornate pierced ormolu gallery. Below, the tambour top features a finely detailed ormolu relief of Minerva, the Roman deity associated with wisdom, the arts, and warfare. This central motif is flanked by two decorative marquetry panels, one depicting Geography, the other Astronomy - evocative of Enlightenment-era values rooted in discovery and intellectual pursuit. Opening the roll-top reveals a gilt-tooled leather writing surface that slides outwards to expand the work area. Inside are five pigeonholes and four small drawers, offering practical and neatly concealed storage. To each side, leather-lined slides can be drawn out, providing additional workspace when required. Beneath the writing area, the frieze is fitted with several drawers - a large central one above the kneehole, two smaller ones to the left, and one to the right. Each drawer varies in size and includes lockable mechanisms for secure storage. Many are adorned with floral marquetry, bordered in intricately cast ormolu mounts. The side panels of the desk echo the front’s decoration, showcasing elaborate military and maritime motifs rendered in fine marquetry and highlighted with ormolu accents. The reverse side is equally finished with corresponding marquetry scenes and decorative symmetry, allowing the piece to be displayed prominently in the centre of a room. An especially rare and desirable feature of this piece is the retention of its original polychrome marquetry finish - a detail seldom preserved in desks of this age, as the colours typically fade with time. The entire structure rests on elegantly curved cabriole legs, each fitted with pierced ormolu sabots. Rich ormolu ornamentation continues throughout the design, embellishing corners, edges, and structural elements, and reinforcing the desk’s extraordinary level of detail and quality. Combining symbolic artistry, refined materials, and regal aesthetics, this exceptional antique desk stands as a testament to the sophistication of 19th century French furniture.

Similar to:
Jean-Henri Riesener (Cabinetmaker)
Dimensions:
Height: 47.25 in (120 cm)Width: 57.49 in (146 cm)Depth: 28.75 in (73 cm)
Style:
Louis XV (In the Style Of)
Materials and Techniques:
Leather,Marble,Ormolu,Carved,Cast,Gilt,Marquetry
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
19th Century
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: 179371stDibs: LU956345139542

More From This Seller

View All

Ormolu-Mounted Marquetry Roll-Top Desk Attributed to P. Bernard

By Jean-Henri Riesener

Located in London, GB

After the model by Jean-Henri Riesener (French, 1734-1806). Of the Napoleon III period, in the Louis XVI style, with fruitwood and ebony inlaid in bois de citronnier, mahogany and amaranth, with a three-quarter galleried rectangular top above a roll-top, opening to reveal a leather-lined writing slide with four short drawers and five pigeon holes, the frieze centred by a push button drawer...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Ormolu-Mounted Marquetry Roll-Top Desk Attributed to P. Bernard

$62,635

19th Century French Louis XV Style Ormolu Mounted Writing Desk

Located in London, GB

19th century French Louis XV style ormolu mounted writing desk French, Late 19th Century Height 100cm, width 121cm, depth 66cm Crafted in the late 19th century, this writing desk i...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century French Louis XV Style Ormolu Mounted Writing Desk

$20,878

Rococo Style Writing Desk Mounted with Gilt Bronze

Located in London, GB

Rococo style writing desk mounted with gilt bronze French, late 19th century Measures: Height 78cm, width 134cm, depth 64cm This superb ...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Rococo Style Writing Desk Mounted with Gilt Bronze

$25,054

Antique French Marquetry, Ormolu and Jasperware Bureau du Roi by Beurdeley

By Emmanuel-Alfred Beurdeley

Located in London, GB

Antique French marquetry, ormolu and jasperware Bureau du Roi by Beurdeley French, c. 1890 Height 151cm, width 190cm, depth 100cm The Bureau du Roi, also known as the secrétaire à cylindre, is among the most celebrated masterpieces of 18th century furniture design—an unparalleled example of French craftsmanship and regal opulence. Originally commissioned by King Louis XV in 1760, the project was entrusted to ébéniste du roi Jean-François Oeben (1721–1763). However, Oeben passed away before its completion and his successor, Jean-Henri Riesener (1734-1806), finalised the desk in 1769. During the 19th century, several master cabinetmakers sought to replicate this extraordinary creation, including the esteemed Emmanuel Alfred Beurdeley (1847–1919). The present example, produced circa 1890, was exhibited at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, where it garnered admiration for its exceptional artistry. Following the exhibition, it was acquired by financier George Jay Gould I (1864–1923) and later photographed in the Lakewood, New Jersey residence of his wife, actress Edith Kingdon Gould (1864–1921). This magnificent desk is crowned with a decorative clock, draped in festoons and accompanied by two playful putti and a finely sculpted dog. Twin ormolu urns rest atop an openwork gallery, leading to additional flower-filled ormolu vases. Flanking the central roll-top panel are finely cast ormolu figures of Apollo and Calliope, each supporting a twin-light scrolling acanthus candelabrum. With a turn of a key, the roll-top slides open to reveal an exquisite arrangement of three pull-out shelves and three drawers, each front panel adorned with delicate ormolu banding and intricate floral trellis parquetry. A gilt-tooled leather writing surface unfolds, featuring a pop-up central panel that lifts to reveal a folding folio stand alongside three additional storage compartments. Below, a central kneehole drawer, embellished with an ormolu bow, is flanked by twin-divided drawers, all decorated with finely detailed floral marquetry. Every aspect of this Bureau du Roi is a testament to superior craftsmanship, featuring elaborate marquetry and parquetry designs. The upper section consists of three panels, with the tambour roll-top inlaid with intricate mythological motifs. Two side medallions bear Latin inscriptions drawn from Cesare Ripa’s Iconologia (1555–1622): NON. NISI. GRANDIA. CANTO. / IRRIDENS. CUSPIDE. FIGO. and BREVI. COMPLECTOR. SINGULA. CANO / PASTORUM. CARMINA. LUDO. These decorative elements, along with the marquetry on the roll-top and upper surfaces, celebrate the arts, literature, and architecture. The bombé sides of the desk are richly decorated with marquetry panels depicting symbols of both naval and terrestrial warfare, framed by elegant ormolu laurel swags. These ornamental details complement a series of exquisite blue and white Wedgwood Jasperware medallions...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Antique French Marquetry, Ormolu and Jasperware Bureau du Roi by Beurdeley

$1,948,647

French Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Mounted Writing Desk

Located in London, GB

French porcelain and gilt bronze mounted writing desk French, 19th Century Height 116cm, width 91cm, depth 51cm This stunning bonheur du jour was made in France during the 19th...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Rococo Desks

Materials

Ormolu

French Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Mounted Writing Desk

$34,797

Unusual Transition Style Marquetry and Gilt Bronze Double Sided Writing Desk

Located in London, GB

Unusual Transition style marquetry and gilt bronze double sided writing desk French, early 20th Century Height 98cm, width 130cm, depth 94c...

Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Unusual Transition Style Marquetry and Gilt Bronze Double Sided Writing Desk

$48,184

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

French Ormolu And Lacquer Chinoiserie Bureau Plat Desk, 19c

$18,000

C19th French Ormolu Mounted Louis XV1 Style Writing Desk

By Paul Somani

Located in London, GB

Louis XV1 Style French Writing Desk In the Manner of Francois Linke Finished on Both sides so could also serve as a Centre Table Decorated in lovely gilt Bronze Mounts We have left ...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Kingwood

C19th French Ormolu Mounted Louis XV1 Style Writing Desk

$13,078

Fine Antique French Ormolu Bureau Plat Desk After Linke 19th Century

By François Linke

Located in London, GB

A fine antique French wood, porcelain and ormolu mounted bureau plat, in the manner of Linke, Circa 1860 in date. The shaped ormolu mounted serpentine top is fitted with a gold too...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Fine Antique French Ormolu Bureau Plat Desk After Linke 19th Century

$4,384

French 18th Century Louis XV Period Kingwood, Tulipwood and Ormolu Desk

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A most elegant and extremely high quality French 18th century Louis XV period Kingwood, Tulipwood, and ormolu desk circa. 1750. The Bureau à Cylindre desk...

Category

Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

French 18th Century Louis XV Period Kingwood, Tulipwood and Ormolu Desk

$45,500

Bureau De Roi - French Roll Top Desk Louis XV Monumental

Located in Potters Bar, GB

Stunning French Louis XV style desk - or Bureau Du Roi - hand crafted from kingwood This is based on the original as found in the Palace of Versaille and is an astounding work Hopefu...

Category

Vintage 1980s Louis XV Desks

Materials

Kingwood

Bureau De Roi - French Roll Top Desk Louis XV Monumental

$11,006

French 19th Century Louis XV Style Ormolu-Mounted Bureau Plat Desk

By Paul Sormani

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A very fine and large French 19th century Louis XV style ormolu-mounted mahogany and kingwood three-drawer bureau plat attributed to Paul Sormani (French-Italian 1817-1877). The shaped rectangular top enclosing a gilt tooled brown leather writing surface within a molded border above a long central drawer enclosing a fine modeled mask of Hercules wearing the Nemean lion pelt centered by flat cast encadrements and rosewood veneered a quatre faces flanked by two short drawers with reticulated escutcheons of scantly clad frolicking putti and doves over gadrooned "C" scrolls, trellis patterned panels on a stylized shell within similarly framed encadrements raised on elegant cabriole legs surmounted by bearded satyr masks ending in acanthus case hairy paw feet beneath sides centering bacchic masks. Lock mechanism stamped W S M, 6068, a key (lacking skeleton key), and 148. Veuve Paul Sormani Et Fils was the widow of the highly esteemed furniture maker Paul Sormani (French-Italian 1817-1877). After his death around 1877 she and her son took over the management of the company continuing the tradition of producing fine French furniture of the highest calibre. An escutcheon and several mounts were examined on the reverse, and each was found to have the bronze master model initials "SJ:. Blue chalk inscription on underside Glle 117, Paris, circa 1880. Paul Sormani (1817-1877): Born in Venice, Paul Sormani set up in Paris in the middle of the 19th century. He specialized in creating furniture and works of art and was known for his high quality reproductions of Louis XV and XVI furniture...

Category