Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
LOUIS XIV STYLE
As opposed to the styles that would follow from the other 18th-century French kings, Louis XV and Louis XVI, antique Louis XIV furniture is rigid and imposing. It expresses opulence — even its armchairs, with their upright backs, straight legs and lavish ornamentation, look like thrones. Authentic Louis XIV sofas, a then newly emerging iteration of seating, are fully upholstered and often feature decoratively carved frames of walnut, chestnut or oak.
When French King Louis XIV established his royal court at Versailles in 1682, he transformed what was once a hunting lodge into a palace that declared his wealth and power through its design. Until his death in 1715, he reigned with a spirit of excess and absolute political dominance. The “Sun King,” as he called himself, believed that France revolved around him as planets do the sun. Louis XIV adopted the sun as his emblem, decorating the grounds with symbols of the sun and Apollo, the Greek god of the sun. As he stated, “There is nothing that indicates more clearly the magnificence of great princes than their superb palaces and their precious furniture.” He was a child when he became king in 1643, only shaping his style after he became absolute monarch in 1661.
Reflecting trends in French Baroque art, Louis XIV furniture characteristics included exuberant decoration. There were gilded bronze details including shells, suns, grotesques, lions and classical references like acanthus leaves. The years of growth in the country’s manufacturing, such as the tapestries and cabinets made at Gobelins, led to design innovations. The commode replaced the chest as a storage device, with drawers and a surface that could double as a desk.
The materials were luxurious, such as the popular tortoiseshell veneer technique that leading cabinetmaker Pierre Golle used in his designs. André-Charles Boulle, who became royal cabinetmaker in 1672, was a masterful artist of marquetry, using inlays of ebony, exotic woods and mother-of-pearl.
Find a collection of antique Louis XIV bedroom furniture, chairs, tables and other pieces on 1stDibs.
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Style: Louis XIV
Louis XIV Style Mixed Wood Desk
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Louis XIV style walnut desk, made from antique and later elements, assembled circa 1950's. With a rectangular top with 5" wide banded borders, central points of star inlay, molded fr...
Category
1950s European Vintage Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
A rare French Louis XIV large pewter and fruitwood inlaid marquetry desk
By Pierre Gole
Located in PARIS, FR
A rare French Louis XIV large pewter and fruitwood inlaid marquetry desk called “bureau Mazarin” attributed to Pierre Gole (1620 – 1684)
Dimensi...
Category
Late 17th Century French Antique Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze, Pewter
Antique French Louis XIV Inlaid Rosewood
Ormolu Lady’s Desk C1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique French Louis XIV Inlaid Rosewood & Ormolu Lady’s Desk C1890
Measures - 38 1/2" x 30" x 19 1/2"
This lady's desk is crafted around 1890, the desk features intricate inlaid r...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
$1,560 Sale Price
20% Off
Louis XIV Walnut Writing Table Or Occasional Table From The17th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
superb walnut table from the 17th century Louis XIV period and style
Good quality table resting on a very elegant base with turned legs connected by spacers and ending with balls.
Th...
Category
17th Century French Antique Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
1950s French Louis XIV Style Desk / Bureau Plat With Gilt Bronze Ormolu
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a French Louis XIV style desk that is in very good condition. The desk is marked. The antique hardware is gilt bronze and not original. Th...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Diminutive French Louis XIV Style Walnut Writing Table Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Charming 19th century French writing table or desk made in a diminutive scale or ladies bureau plat size. Crafted in the grand Louis XIV taste from walnu...
Category
19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
French Chestnut and Oak Desk from Le Grand Monarque À Chartres, circa 1720
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand-carved, circa 1720, using chestnut and oak woods, this desk was recently part of Le Grand Monarque hotel in Chartres, France. The desk has been stripped at some point, allowing the beautiful wood grain and round dowel construction to become focal points.
The stunning desk has a shaped top with quarter round molding. A 23 ½” W seat opening is topped by a concave front drawer with a bronze drop handle affixed by a pair of rosette mounts. Similar handles can be seen on each of the four main drawers, which are surrounded by thick cavetto molding. These drawers also have a scalloped keyplate and mounts of two putti hunting dragons hidden amongst foliage. Interestingly, the sides are comprised of four rectangular panels, with the two nearest to the straight back side being functional drawers.
Known as a bureau caissiers (“cashier’s desk...
Category
1720s French Antique Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Bronze
A French Louis XVI style three drawer mahogany bureau plat desk C 1930
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Louis XVI style French three drawer mahogany bureau plat desk having extensive bronze decoration, finished rear and gilt embossed leather top circa 1930.
Kneehole Dimensions: 26" X...
Category
1930s French Vintage Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Inlaid Walnut Ormolu Mounted Desk / Writing Table
Located in London, GB
An absolutely stunning and early antique French inlaid walnut ormolu mounted desk / writing table. This dates from around the 1800-1820 period.
It is of exceptionally fine quality, ...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
Italian, Bologna, LXIV Period Shaped Walnut
Inlaid 2-Drawer Table, ca. 1715
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a rectangular top with notched corners and line inlay above a conforming case housing two drawers, raised on turned and block legs with lozenge form carvings near the feet
Category
1710s Italian Antique Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
18 th Century French Louis XIII Carved Walnut Lectern Desk on Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
Bring a touch of French provincial charm to your home with this elegant antique slant-top desk. Crafted in France circa 1790, the petite lectern is built of solid fruitwood and stand...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
French Provincial Louis XIV Period Os de Mouton Oak Side Table
Located in Troy, NY
Small 17th century side table or desk, charming country piece of nice proportion and warm color, three-board top above one drawer, wavy Os de Mouton legs joined by conforming stretch...
Category
Late 17th Century French Antique Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Outstanding Pair of Red Laquered Bureau Plat Desks
Located in Swadlincote, GB
A wonderful pair of French red laquered partners bureau platt desk, with outstanding ormolu mounts, three opening drawers to one side and dummy drawers to the opposite side, dark bro...
Category
19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
$8,190 / item
French 19th Century Louis XVI style bureau plat.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th Century French parquetry inlaid Louis XVI style bureau plat. Having an inset leather tooled top, gilded ormolu mouldings and classical monopodia mounts ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
$8,197 Sale Price
20% Off
French 18th Century Writing Table
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This writing table is made of walnut with wonderful patine.
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Ladies
Writing Desk From the Early 20th Century in the Style of Louis XV
Located in Opole, PL
Ladies' Writing Desk From the Early 20th Century in the Style of Louis XV
A ladies' writing desk inspired by the Louis XV style, dating back to before 1939. The furniture stands on ...
Category
Early 20th Century European Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Rosewood
$1,889 Sale Price
20% Off
Circa 1870 French Walnut Wood Center Table with Rams
Heads and Fleur De Lys
Located in Dallas, TX
This unusual and interesting center table was produced in France, during the middle of the latter half of the 19th century. It was during this time that French furniture makers, desi...
Category
1870s French Antique Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Walnut
19th Century, Italian Louis XIV Style Ebonized Desk W/ Brass
Important Inlay
Located in Atlanta, GA
This remarkable 19th-century Italian desk, crafted in the opulent Louis XIV style, embodies the grandeur and precision of Italian craftsmanship of the period. The desk’s form is anch...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
$3,040 Sale Price
20% Off
French 19th Century Louis XIV Style Mahogany
Brass Inlay Secretary Boulle Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine and rare French 19th century Louis XIV style mahogany and brass inlaid drop-front freestanding secretary desk in the manner of André-Charles Boulle. The slender mahogany body ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Antique Liegoise Writing Table with 2 Drawers
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique Liegoise writing table with 2 drawers is a splendid example of the time-honored traditions of quality craftsmanship for which the region is so well known for the past centuri...
Category
Early 20th Century Belgian Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
French 17th Century Desk
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French 17th century desk, Louis XIV period. It was originally a trunk which has been transformed during the 19th century into a desk.
Category
Mid-17th Century French Antique Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
$5,400
20th Century Louis XIV Style French Piano-Black Writing Table
Located in Berlin, DE
Imposing French writing table in style of Louis XIV.
Piano black polished veneer on solid pinewood. Three part, straight border. Narrow overlapping, wide framed writing plate, middl...
Category
20th Century Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Fine French Burr Walnut Bureau Platt Desk
Located in Swadlincote, GB
A lovely French burr walnut and tulipwood banded bureau platt or dressing table, with gold shaped leather top, ormolu mounts, single drawer, in very nice overall condition.
29" high...
Category
19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Tulipwood
Italian Writing Table, Early 20th Century
Located in Rome, IT
An early 20th century Italian writing table, with rectangular top.
Measures: 164 x 79 x 50 cm.
Category
Mid-20th Century European Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Writing Table
Located in Rome, IT
An early 20th century Italian writing table, with rectangular top.
Measures: 164 x 79 x 50 cm.
Category
Mid-20th Century Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Fine quality Louis XVI Bonhuer du juer, circa 1880.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality late 19th Century French LOUIS XVI style, Sevres style porcelain mounted Bonheur du jour. Having an inset white marble top, ormolu gallery + mounts. Three drawers abov...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
Gorgeous 18th Century Tin Marquetry Writing Desk/ Cabinet
Located in Brussels, BE
18th century tin marquetry writing desk.
Category
Early 18th Century German Antique Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Tin
Impressive French Writing Desk in the Antique Style of Louis XIV Mahogany Bronze
Located in Berlin, DE
Royal palisander and tulip wood on softwood. Three-part straight frame base. Slightly protruding, broadly framed writing surface, inlaid with gold embossed leather surface, including...
Category
20th Century French Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
20th Century Bureau Plat Desk According to the Style of Andre Charles Boulle
Located in Berlin, DE
Piano black polished veneer on solid beech and oak. Extremely finely chiselled bronze. Slightly protruding, profiled tabletop and gold-embossed leather insert, flanked by a grotesque...
Category
20th Century French Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Beech
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20th Century Louis XIV Style French Piano-Black Writing Table
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Piano black polished veneer on solid pinewood. Three part, straight border. Narrow overlapping, wide framed writing plate, middl...
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20th Century Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
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Lady’s Desk or Vanity in Mahogany, Czechoslovakia, 1970s
By Up Závody
Located in Zohor, SK
Beautiful midcentury desk, originally used as a desk for a lady, or vanity in the bedroom. The table is elegant combination of lighter birch wood on the sides and mahogany wood on to...
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Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Mid Century Walnut Writing Desk
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Louis XV Style French Kingwood Parquetry and Gilt Bronze Bureau Plat
Desk
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Early Paint Antique French Louis XV Style Bureau Plat Writing Desk
Stool
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning early painted circa 1880-1900 French Louis XV style Bureau plat writing table with later stool
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1880s French Antique Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
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$5,396 / set
H 30.32 in W 51.19 in D 26.78 in
Early 20th Century Louis XV Style Italian Writing Desk or Dressing Table
Located in London, Park Royal
A charming, hand-painted, Louis XV style, Italian writing desk or dressing table from the early 20th century depicting floral motifs with Rococo flourishes and gilded highlighting.
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Early 20th Century Italian Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
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$3,279
H 30.32 in W 38.59 in D 20.08 in
20th Century Wood Louis XVI Style French Writing Desk, 1950s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
French writing desk from the mid-20th century. Louis XVI style furniture veneered in mahogany and walnut, rich in gilded and chiseled metal decorations. Finished desk for the center ...
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1950s French Vintage Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
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18th Century Louis XV Provincial Writing / Occasional Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Louis XV provincial walnut writing / occasional table, 18th century. With an overhanging 3 board top with molded borders, frieze with drawer and scalloped apron, resting on cabriole ...
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18th Century European Antique Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
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Walnut
French writing Table 2 drawers in Solid Cherry Wood - Louis XVI Directoire style
Located in Landivy, FR
This writing table is part of the Mélanie collection, a modern interpretation of the French Directoire style of the late 18th century.
This style is famous for its straight, classi...
Category
2010s French Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Cherry, Oak
$3,073 / item
H 29.93 in W 43.31 in D 23.63 in
Vintage Italian Walnut Burl Louis XV Bombay Style Serpentine Writing Desk VGC
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Hand-made in Italy, circa 1950s or 60s, this gorgeous 5-drawer Louis XV or Bombay style desk in Italian walnut burl with antiqued brass hardware. This desk has been in my collections...
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1960s Italian Vintage Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
$4,500
H 30.75 in W 50.5 in D 28 in
Ladies
Writing Desk From the Early 20th Century in the Style of Louis XV
Located in Opole, PL
Ladies' Writing Desk From the Early 20th Century in the Style of Louis XV
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Wood, Rosewood
$1,889 Sale Price
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H 36.62 in W 28.75 in D 18.12 in
English Walnut Burl Two-Drawer Writing Table
Located in Woodbury, CT
This two-drawer walnut writing desk is made for us by our English cabinetmaker. Using time-honored techniques, this table is created in just the same fashion as it would have been 20...
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21st Century and Contemporary British Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Walnut, Burl
Previously Available Items
Alfonso Marina Louis XIV Style Writing table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Louis XIV style mahogany writing table, made by Alfonso Marina, circa 2008. With an inset flame mahogany top with crossbanding and molded edges, two inlaid drawers with brass pulls, ...
Category
Early 2000s Mexican Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Antique French Leather Top Bureau Plat Desk
Located in London, GB
A stunning antique French leather top bureau plat desk, made in France and dating from around the 1930’s.
This is of outstanding quality, with beautifully cast ormolu mounts through...
Category
1930s French Vintage Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Walnut
French Louis XIV Style Ebonized Mahogany Writing Desk, C. 1940
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A stately French writing desk in the Louis XIV style with a rectangular top inset with a rich, tooled leather writing surface, framed by a molded edge, and flanked on either side by ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
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Leather, Mahogany
French 18th Century Writing Table
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Beautiful 18th century French Writing table made of walnut with 1 drawer.
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Antique Louis XIV Style Walnut Writing Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Louis XIV style walnut writing table, circa 1910. With a 3 board top with thumb molded front, side and back edges, a large frieze drawer with brass drawer pull, 4 barley twis...
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1910s European Vintage Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Antique French Louis XIV Satinwood, Ormolu
Mahogany Inlaid Lady
s Desk c1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Reduced Delivery Rates - See Below or Click “Ask The Seller” to Request a Quote***
Antique French Louis XIV Satinwood, Ormolu & Mahogany Inlaid Lady's Desk with Foliate Cast Ormo...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Kingwood, Mahogany, Satinwood
H 29.5 in W 45.25 in D 28 in
Antique French Escritoire Writing Desk
Located in London, GB
An absolutely stunning antique French escritoire writing desk, dating from around the 1930’s.
This is of the utmost quality, it is beautifully made. This is a lovely size, useful fo...
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1930s French Vintage Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century French Louis XIV Style Carved Walnut Library Table Writing Desk
Located in Forney, TX
A finely carved French Louis XIV style walnut writing table. circa 1870
Hand carved in France in the late 19th century, exceptionally executed in grand King Louis 14th...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Faux Leather, Walnut
H 28.25 in W 51.25 in D 30.25 in
Antique French Regence Stripped Oak Desk ~ Writing Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Regence Stripped Oak Desk ~ Writing Table is a delightful little desk that is ideal for efficient floor plans, home offices, or just as a convenient table for any room...
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Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Antique 19th Century Geometric French Walnut Writing Desk or Console Table
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A highly decorative 19th Century Walnut Side Table with Frieze Drawer.
The table displays some wonderful craftsmanship, with geometric panelling to the frieze, four baluster shaped l...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
H 28.5 in W 34.25 in D 21.5 in
Italian, Umbria, Louis XIV Period Shaped Walnut 1-Drawer Writing Table, ca. 1715
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a rectangular top above a conforming case housing one drawer with a pull-out writing slide, the drawer retaining original bronze pulls, the case raised on boldly shaped legs a...
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1710s Italian Antique Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
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Walnut
H 31.75 in W 49 in D 24.5 in
French Provincial Louis XIV Style Carved Walnut Writing Desk or Accent Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Dimensions: W 121cm / D 65cm / H 77.5cm / Drawer dimensions: W 50cm / D 47.2cm
W 47.6" / D 25.5" / H 30.5" / Drawer dimensions: W 19.6" / D 18.5"
A Louis XIV walnut writing table or...
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Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
H 30.5 in W 47.6 in D 25.5 in
Louis Xiv desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Louis XIV desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage desks and writing tables created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Louis XIV desks and writing tables made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original desks and writing tables, popular names associated with this style include and Toms
Luscombe. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for desks and writing tables differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $975 and tops out at $577,210 while the average work can sell for $4,343.
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