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Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

LOUIS XVI STYLE

Reflecting the final era of royal opulence before the upheaval of the French Revolution, antique Louis XVI furniture features more angular shapes than the Rococo curves of the Louis XV style, harkening back to the imposing grandeur of Louis XIV.

Dating between 1750 and 1800, an era that overlapped with the last king of France whose reign was cut short by the guillotine, Louis XVI furniture, known as the goût grec, is emblematic of the neoclassical revision that French furniture underwent during the second half of the 18th century.

Authentic Louis XVI furniture characteristics include clean lines and carved details such as scrolls and acanthus flourishes that were inspired by ancient Greece and Rome. This was informed by a burgeoning interest in antiquity in the 18th century, owing to new archaeological excavations at sites including Pompeii and Herculaneum. It largely eclipsed the more East Asian–influenced ornamentation of Louis XV for something more geometric and symmetrical.

The Louis XVI style was defined by what was being created for the palatial rooms at Versailles and Fontainebleau, particularly for the queen, with cabinetmaker Jean-Henri Riesener being a favorite of Marie-Antoinette’s for his luxurious pieces accented with gilded bronze and marquetry. Furniture maker Jean-Baptiste-Claude Sené was also a major designer of the period, with his pieces for the royal residences adorned with giltwood and neoclassical touches like tapered columns for chair legs and laurel leaf carvings. Cabinetmaker Adam Weisweiler occasionally incorporated into his furniture porcelain panels produced by Sèvres, a popular manufacturer of European ceramics that served the crown with serveware, vases and other decorative objects.

Find a collection of antique Louis XVI seating, tables, cabinets and other furniture on 1stDibs.

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Style: Louis XVI
French Louis XVI Style Diminutive Ebonized Writing Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Dramatic French diminutive ladies writing table or desk featuring a black lacquer ebonized finish. Made in the neoclassical Louis XVI taste with a simple clean design and minimal dec...
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19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French Tortoise Wood Louis XVI Style Maison Jansen Partners Desk or Bureau Plat
Located in Manhasset, NY
Tortoise wood Louis XVI style Maison Jansen partners desk or bureau plat. The finest of quality and gilt metal bronze mounts are seen on this stunning monumental partners desk...
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Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Antique French Ormolu Mounted Escritoire Writing Desk
Located in London, GB
A stunning antique French writing table, also known as an escritoire. This dates from around the 1930’s. It is has a very beautiful and useful design, with a very elegant form. Ther...
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1930s French Vintage Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century Carved and Painted Louis XVI Writing Table
Located in Dallas, TX
The 19th Century Carved and Painted Louis XVI Writing Table is a lovely piece of antique furniture that showcases the craftsmanship and elegant design of the Louis XVI style. This d...
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19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Antique Petite French Ormolu Mounted Bureau Plat 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is an fine and beautiful petite French Louis XV Revival goncalo alves and ormolu mounted bureau plat, circa 1850 in date. This fantastic bureau plat features an ornate serpentin...
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1850s French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

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...
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2010s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Cherry, Oak

Antique Writing Table by Beurdeley After a Model by Adam Weisweiler
Located in London, GB
Antique writing table by Beurdeley after a model by Adam Weisweiler French, c. 1880 Height 74cm, width 83cm, depth 46cm Crafted by the prestigious 19th century furniture makers Beu...
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1980s French Vintage Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel, Ormolu

Louis XVI French Desk
Located in Austin, TX
French Louis XVI style desk made of mahogany that has been ebonized and finished with a lustrous museum quality French polish. The writing table is trimmed with gilt brass throughout...
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1920s French Vintage Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique C1870s French Louis XVI Style Inlaid King Wood Ladies Writing Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exquisite antique French Louis XVI style writing desk, dating to the 1870s, showcases the refined craftsmanship and elegance of 19th-century French furniture design. Crafted in ...
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19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Louis XVI Bureau à Cylindre or Roll Top Desk
Located in Winter Park, FL
A fine early 19th century Louis XVI period bureau à cylindre, or roll top desk, made of solid walnut with marquetry veneers of walnut, mahogany and cherry. Pine as a secondary wood. ...
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Early 19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Louis XVI writing desk with pull-out surface, featuring an inlaid compass rose
Located in Cesena, FC
Elegant Louis XVI writing desk with pull-out writing surface, inlaid on the top with a compass rose. Elegant writing desk with pull-out writing surface, inlaid on the top with a com...
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Late 18th Century Italian Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Maple

Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Style Oak Writing Table or Side Table
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This early nineteenth century Louis XVI style oak side table features hand carvings on all four sides. Its beveled top rests above a fluted apron. The hand pegged apron is detailed with a rosette on each end. A carved gadrooned garland appointed with a ribbon at the top details the back and a man...
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Early 19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Monumental bureau plat
Located in Wien, AT
France, Louis XVI period, ca. 1780, by the ebenist Pierre Garnier (master from 1742), predominantly oak, mahogany veneered and with ebony marquetry, matted, double-sided drawer desig...
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1780s French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ebony, Mahogany, Oak

Antique French Parquetry and Bronze Cartonnier Writing Desk with Clock
Located in London, GB
Cartonnier in the Louis XVI Manner after the Original by Simon Oeben Constructed in kingwood and having extensive parquetry inlay, with well cast and extensive fire gilt bronze enhancements. The writing section of oblong form with re-entrant corners, housing three frieze drawers and with a tooled brown leather top; the shouldered tapering legs dressed with imbricated bronze mounts: lions masks at the ends: the frame having a guard bronze rail...
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19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Louis XVI Style Brass Inlaid Mahogany Desk, 20th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
Louis XVI brass inlaid mahogany desk with parcel-gilt and green leather inset top. The mahogany veneered on oak. With a single drawer. Lock not working.
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20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Mahogany, Kingwood and Ormolu Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant French 19th century Louis XVI st. mahogany, kingwood and ormolu kidney shaped writing desk. The desk is raised by slender circular tapered fluted legs with fine foliate to...
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19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

French Louis XVI Bureau a Cylindre, Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Mounts
Located in Houston, TX
19th century desk with a Cylindre roll top opening to a leather top that pulls out for ease In use. Gilt bronze mounts with floral gilt center decoration with wreath. Square tapered...
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century French Louis XVI Style Writing Table
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A large late 19th century French Louis XVI style painted writing table or bureau plat. With fluted legs and symmetrical drawers. Distressed green leather top.
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19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood, Paint

"Roller" desk Louis XVI from the late 1700s with floral inlays
Located in Cesena, FC
Emilian "roller" writing desk of great quality, the manufacture is along the lines of Rolo, late 1700s Louis XVI. Entirely veneered in walnut, with beautiful floral inlays, Bois de ...
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Late 18th Century Italian Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Important French Brass Inlaid Paint Decorated Rolltop Ladies Writing Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This important French brass inlaid paint decorated rolltop ladies writing desk is a rare and exquisite example of 19th-century craftsmanship, combining function, artistry, and elegan...
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1890s French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Brass

French 19th century Louis XVI st. Mahogany, Ormolu and marble desk/table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and most decorative French 19th century Louis XVI st. Mahogany, Ormolu, and Gris St. Anne marble center table/desk, attributed to François Linke. This wonderful single dra...
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19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Louis XVI Ladies’ Desk, around 1800
Located in Greding, DE
Small ladies' desk with three drawers and large gilt bronze fittings on the front. The desk stands on high pointed legs with ball feet and is inlaid with fillet strips and framing pa...
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Early 1800s Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Bronze

French early 19th century Louis XV st. Kingwood and Ormolu desk/side table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and most unique French early 19th century Louis XV st. Kingwood and Ormolu desk/side table. This wonderful writing desk/table is raised on slender cabriole legs ending wit...
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19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century French Louis XVI Walnut Double-Faced Writing Table
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Louis XVI walnutdouble-faced writing table will make the perfect addition to any well-appointed room! Ideal as an end table, a center table, or a library table as...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

C19th French Ormolu Mounted Louis XV1 Style Writing Desk
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 ...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Kingwood

Small 19th Century French Boulle Bureau Plat
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality small late 19th century French Boulle inlaid bureau plat, having an inset leather top, brass inlay and tortoiseshell to the top, frieze and legs, gilded ormolu mounts, a single frieze drawer with a Bramah lock...
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19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Louis XVI Style French Bureau Plat, Circa 1860 - 1890 for Restoration
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Louis XVI style mahogany writing desk with satinwood and French walnut marquetry with bronze banding. The desk is double sided with the original...
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Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

20th Two sides French Louis XV Style Carved Walnut Desk with Three Drawers
Located in Miami, FL
This elegant fruitwood desk was created in France, circa 1920. Made of blond walnut timber, the large writing table sits on four carved legs with two iron stretchers. The front has a...
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Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Ormolu Mounted Marquetry Center Table Att. Alfred Beurdeley
Located in New York, NY
A Very Important "Table De Salon" or "Table des Muses", after the design by Alfred Beurdeley An amarante, satine, burr, stained and fruitwood marquetry on sycamore veneers with one...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Louis XVI Mahogany and Brass Mounted Bureau a Cylindre, Late 18th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The desk with a 1/4 cylinder top that opens to reveal a leather writing surface with pigeon holes and drawers. The gallery with white Carrara marble top.
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Louis XVI Style Mahogany Writing table
Located in Essex, MA
With rectangular top with rounded corners and beautiful tooled brown leather writing surface with banded wood border and brass edge over a central long drawer and flanked by two draw...
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1830s French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Maison Jansen Attributed Ebonized Leather Top Louis XVI Writing Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This refined Maison Jansen attributed Louis XVI–style writing desk is an elegant expression of neoclassical French design, combining sophisticated materials with timeless architectur...
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1950s French Vintage Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

A Fine French 1940s Louis XVI Style Cherrywood Desk
Located in Long Island City, NY
A fine French Neoclassical cherry writing table in the style of Louis XVI with one drawer, bronze pull and sabots, and a leather top.
Category

1940s French Vintage Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Italy Mid-18th Century Olive Root Wood Desk with Drawings in Regency Style
Located in Brescia, IT
This Italian desk, was manufactured circa 1750 in Tuscany Italy by master cabinet makers in a pregiate wood, the olive root; the fine proportion and the ele...
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Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Olive

Desk in Wood, 1900, Made in France
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
It is an elegant and sophisticated dream desk. The quality of the furniture and the exotic wood used make it unique. It is an icon of distinction. You want to live in the golden yea...
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Early 1900s French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Louis XVI Style Leather Top Writing Table / Bureau Plat
Located in Madrid, ES
A 19th century Louis XVI style French writing table or desk, known as a "bureau plat”. It has a leather top writing surface, ormolu bronze details, and three locking drawers with fal...
Category

19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

French Louis XVI Style Kingwood Parquetry Ormolu Mounted Ladies Writing Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine French 19th-20th century louis XVI style kingwood parquetry and ormolu-mounted ladies writing table, the body surrounded by bronze moldings. The apron repeats the parquet...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Writing Desk in the Louis XVI Style, Early 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Writing desk in the Louis XVI style, early 20th century. A Louis XVI style writing case in precious wood marquetry with writing motifs, early 20th century. H: 103.5cm, W: 72.5cm, D:...
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Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Signed Escalier De Cristal of Paris Metamorphic French Louis XVI Desk Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is an incredible signed L Escalier De Cristal of Paris metamorphic desk or ladies vanity. The desk is beautifully inlaid and features inlaid brass inside the fluted legs and a g...
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1890s French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Louis XVI Cherrywood Tric Trac Table
Located in Essex, MA
With removable rectangular top with inset leather and wood border, the reverse in green baize. All opens to a backgammon table with ebony playing surface. Each side with a small draw...
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Early 1800s French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Cherry

Antique French Louis XVI Writing Desk Cognac Leather, Bonze Brass
Located in Senonches, Centre-Val de Loire
Antique Louis XVI style desk with cognac leather top. The front of the piece has three dovetail drawers with brass details. The back of the piece is drawn like the front, with false ...
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1910s French Vintage Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Antique French Louis XVI Desk ~ Library Table ~ Dining Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Louis XVI Desk ~ Library Table ~ Dining Table is able to fill a multitude of roles, and do so in style! Combining elegantly scroll...
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Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

French Louis XVI Carved Walnut Writing-Side Table with Drawer
Located in Dallas, TX
A French carved walnut small writing table, perfect end table or bedside table, late 18th century.
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Louis XVI Style Ormolu and Mahogany Writing Table
By Jean-Henri Riesener
Located in Astoria, NY
Louis XVI Style Ormolu Mounted Mahogany and Tulipwood Parquetry Writing Table, after the model by Jean-Henri Riesener, late 19th century, the parquetry inlaid top with a three-quarte...
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Late 19th Century European Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Louis XVI Style 19th-20th Century Bronze Mounted Desk Manner Linke
Located in Manhasset, NY
Louis XVI style 19th-20th century bronze mounted desk manner Linke. This spectacular French desk can sit center room as it is finished on all sides with its stunning parquetry inlays...
Category

Early 20th Century Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

18th Century French Walnut Writing Table
Located in High Point, NC
18th century walnut writing table with a banded and beveled edge around the top, following down to a simple apron containing a singl...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Exceptional 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted English Partners Desk
By Cope and Collinson
Located in Long Island City, NY
An Exceptional and Unusual 19th Century Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze Mounted English Partners Desk Made for the French Market The rectangular top with gilt-tooled leather writing-sur...
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19th Century English Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French Marble Top Writing Table, Tooled-Leather Writing Surface, on Casters
Located in Montreal, Quebec
French Marble-Top Writing Table on Casters, Pull-Out Drawer, Gilt Tooled-Leather Writing Surface above the drawer, lower storage shelf. Versatile in its design and size, beautiful w...
Category

19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble

Antique Louis XVI Writing Desk, Cognac Leather, Bonze Brass
Located in Senonches, Centre-Val de Loire
Antique Louis XVI style desk with cognac leather top and gold embossed frieze, fluted legs finished with golden bronze clogs. Three dovetail drawers with brass details. The locks wo...
Category

1910s French Vintage Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

A French 19th century Louis XVI st. Mahogany and Ormolu Bureau Plat desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive French 19th century Louis XVI st. Mahogany and Ormolu Bureau Plat desk, stamped by Francois Linke. This stunning single drawer desk is raised by four tapered round Maho...
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19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century French Louis XVI Kidney-Shaped Mahogany Leather Top Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Louis XVI Kidney-Shaped Mahogany Leather Top Desk is a stunning example of the refinement of Parisienne craftsmanship during the end of the 1800s. Using a combination of exotic imported mahogany, satinwood for inlaid French bordering, and olive wood for contrasting panels and enhancements, even stained walnut to simulate rosewood bordering! Enhancing the design even further are brass bale pulls with brass rosette guards, and brass tips on the eight legs with solid brass casters. Even the original green leather top still shows a gold embossed bordering around the edge, all combining to speak of the extraordinary attention to detail and craftsmanship that went in to this single piece of keepsake...
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1890s French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Magnificent 19th century French Louis XVI bureau plat retailed by Rinck Paris
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine late 19th century French mahogany and gilt bronze mounted bureau plat. Original leather top. Magnificent quality gilt bronze mounts. Retailed and stamped by Rinck 115 FRG St Antoine...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Louis XVI Walnut Desk by Hirler of Alsace
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Louis XVI Walnut Desk by Hirler of Alsace is a remarkable example of the revival of classic styles that has occurred dozens of times since the days of the ancient Gree...
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Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French Louis XVI Style Parquetry Desk
Located in Pembroke, MA
A high-quality French Louis XVI style desk with geometric parquetry in mahogany with gilt-bronze mounts, including swags at the corners. The desk has three drawers with working locks...
Category

19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

18th Century Oak Country Side Writing Table
Located in Madrid, ES
A nice French country writing table, Louis XVI period, in solid oak, with a long drawer and drawer handle in bronze, the legs finished in sabot.
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

French 19th century Louis XVI st. Mahogany, Kingwood and Ormolu table/desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. Mahogany, Kingwood and Ormolu center table/desk, attributed to Francois Linke. This truly stunning rectangular table/des...
Category

19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Louis XVI Style Mahogany Greek Key Display Console
Located in North York, ON
Stunning Louis XVI style display table. Decorated with a Greek key motif around the sides. Three drop doors across the front provide access to the display area. Original glass top, t...
Category

Mid-20th Century Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

18th Century Louis XVI Cylinder Top Secretaire
Located in Belmont, MA
18th century Louis XVI Cylinder Top Secretaire, Paris 1780. The secretaire stands out for its elaborate kingwood and satinwood marquetry. The inside is embellished with several dra...
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1780s French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Kingwood

Fine Quality Louis XVI Style Bureau Plat, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th century Louis XVI style mahogany bureau plat. Having an inset leather top, wonderful gilded ormolu mounts, the single frieze drawer having a drop front, open...
Category

19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

French 18th Century Large Louis XVI Marquetry Desk or Bureau à Cylindre
By Jean Kisling
Located in Berlin, DE
French 18th century large Louis XVI marquetry desk or bureau à Cylindre An exceptional marquetry secrétaire in the form of a bureau with a cylinder front and on a stand with four ...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Louis Xvi desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Louis XVI desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, 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 XVI 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 Maison Jansen, John Vesey, Paul Sormani, and A.M.E Fournier. 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 $956 and tops out at $230,146 while the average work can sell for $8,500.