French Ormolu Bureau Plat 19th Century

Name: Bureau Plat
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1083564
Price: 2650 GBP
Availability: InStock

FURTHER BROWSING

Visitors also looked at these ⇣

19th Century French Parquetry Writing Desk

1880

French 19th C Writing Table by Ch. Jeanselme & Co

18th Century

Antique French Walnut Marquetry Inlaid Freestanding Writing Desk Bureau Plat Leather Top

1860

Antique French Inlaid Marquetry Knee Hole Desk

1930

French Empire Style Ormolu Mounted Desk

19th Century

Fine 19th.c. French Bureau Plat Desk

19th Century

French Antique Desk Directoire Bureau Plat 1880

1880

19th-century French Writing Desk

19th Century

Napoleon III Bureau Plat Desk Mahogany Writing Table 1890

1870

French Kingwood Bureau Plat

1930

Elegant Antique French Desk C1900

19th Century

19th Century French Bureau Plat

19th Century

Strictly Vetted Dealers

Secure Transit

Cataloguer’s Note

Sustainable Choice

Frequently Asked Questions

Strictly Vetted Dealers

Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.

Secure Transit

Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.

The Sustainable Choice

Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing

ObjectDesks
Period19th century
StyleFrench Rococo
MaterialWood, Ormolu, Leather
ColourWarm Brown
MotifsCabriole legs, Ormolu mounts, Gilt-tooled leather top, Serpentine frieze
SizeH 71 cm (28 in) x W 135 cm (53 in) x D 69 cm (27 in)

This 19th-century French Rococo style bureau plat is fashioned from warm brown wood veneer and features an aged dark leather top bordered with gilt tooling. Gilt-bronze ormolu mounts adorn the curved shoulders and serpentine frieze, accentuating the undulating lines of the apron and the graceful sweep of the cabriole legs. A central drawer includes a decorative cast handle flanked by leaf-shaped scrollwork, while finely chased brass bead moulding frames the rectangular writing surface. Measuring 71 cm high, 135 cm wide, and 69 cm deep, this desk is suited for placement as a freestanding centrepiece in a study, home office, or living room. The compact proportions allow it to function efficiently for writing or laptop use while bringing classic French chateau elegance to a contemporary interior.

FAQs

A bureau plat is a French form of writing table that emerged in the late 17th century, featuring a flat top usually lined with leather, drawers in the frieze, and ornamental metal mounts.

Traditional bureau plats feature hardwood frames veneered with fine woods such as kingwood, tulipwood, or rosewood, adorned with gilt-bronze (ormolu) mounts and a leather writing surface.

Authentic pieces often display hand-chased gilt-bronze mounts with maker marks or foundry stamps, dovetail drawer joints, hand-planed secondary timber, and natural wear consistent with age along the feet and drawer runners.

Position the table centrally in a study or living room to allow viewing from all angles, pairing it with modern task lighting or a contemporary chair to contrast the classical ornamentation.

Preserve the wood veneer by maintaining stable humidity levels away from direct heat sources, clean the leather writing top with specialist leather balm, and dust gilt-bronze mounts gently with a soft dry brush.

D J Green Antiques

Bureau Plat

Visitors also looked at these ⇣

19th Century French Parquetry Writing Desk

French 19th C Writing Table by Ch. Jeanselme & Co

Antique French Walnut Marquetry Inlaid Freestanding Writing Desk Bureau Plat Leather Top