What is a French bureau plat?

A bureau plat is a French flat-topped writing desk fitted with drawers directly beneath the writing surface. First developed during the 17th century, these desks are finished on all sides to allow placement in the centre of a room.

What materials are traditionally used to make a bureau plat?

Traditional bureau plats are constructed from fine hardwoods such as mahogany, kingwood, or Goncalo Alves veneers. They typically feature cast gilt-bronze (ormolu) mounts for decorative protection and a leather writing surface inlaid on top.

How can you identify authentic 19th-century French style desks?

Authentic 19th-century Rococo revival desks exhibit hand-chased brass or bronze mounts, precise marquetry or veneer patterning, and hand-cut dovetail drawer joints. The undersides and interior linings frequently show natural ageing and historical woodworking marks.

How can a French writing desk be styled in a modern interior?

A bureau plat serves as a focal executive desk in a home office or library, or as a statement console desk in a spacious drawing room. Combining the piece with modern lighting or contemporary artwork creates an engaging contrast between historical craftsmanship and current design.

How should one care for an antique wood desk with brass mounts?

Maintain the timber by dusting regularly with a soft dry cloth and applying beeswax occasionally along the wood grain. Keep gilt-bronze mounts free of harsh chemicals, and treat the leather writing surface with a specialised leather conditioner to prevent drying or cracking.

for sale €6,845 $7,430

£5,850

LVS Decorative Arts

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Ormolu Bureau Plat

Goncalo Alves Writing Desk

Victorian French Style Desk

Rococo Revival Writing Table

Antique Library Writing Table

Id #SA1231094

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Fine Quality Mid 19th Century French Style Goncalo Alves Bureau Plat of Large Proportions

Name: Fine Quality Mid 19th Century French Style Goncalo Alves Bureau Plat of Large Proportions
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1231094
Price: 5850 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by LVS Decorative Arts

Description

A fine quality mid 19th century (circa 1840) Goncalo alves freestanding bureau plat or writing table in the French style of generous proportions, attributed to Gillows of Lancaster.

This bureau plat consists of a dark blue tooled leather top with goncalo alves banding with a chamfered edge.

This leads down to three oak lined drawers veneered and cross banded with superbly figured goncalo alves with original gilt metal Rococo style handles and escutcheons with a shaped apron below, the table having three dummy drawers to the back identical to those at the front.

The sides also veneered and cross banded with superbly figured goncalo alves with original gilt metal Rococo style mount to the centre with a shaped apron below.

The bureau plat is supported on four solid gonalo alves cabriole legs, each with original gilt metal Rococo style mounts to the top with a smaller one to the foot.

To the underside of the top a date of '1840' is written in pencil and also a name that unfortunately we are unable to decipher.

Although having no makers mark, we feel this is possibly a piece made by Gillows due to the fine cabinet work, superb choice of wood and the fact that Gillows were a company known to have used Goncalo alves wood (a wood from Brazil & Portugal, also known Albuera wood or Zebrawood) from 1823 until the mid 1860's - in 1833 Goncalo alves was 40% more expensive than mahogany but less expensive than rosewood, also Gillows started to use French designs in their furniture in the early-mid 19th century.

Gillows of Lancaster and London, set up in around 1730, was an English furniture making company based in Lancaster and also London, it continued under this name until 1903 when it became Waring & Gillow after merging with Warings of Liverpool - Gillows of Lancaster and Waring & Gillow both had a very good reputation and are renowned for producing fine quality pieces of furniture.

This bureau plat is in very good condition for age, is of stable construction and can go straight into a home, office or library etc.

Size:

Height: 30'' / 76.25cm

Width: 67'' / 170cm

Depth: 36'' / 91.5cm

Physical Dimensions

Height

76.2cm (30.00")

Width

170cm (66.93")

Depth

91.5cm (36.02")

Declaration

LVS Decorative Arts has dated this Goncalo Alves Bureau Plat to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1231094

Dealers Internal Reference

LVS1065

Dealers Notes

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LVS Decorative Arts is a small family run business based in Suffolk, specialising in an eclectic mix of fine quality and decorative antiques from around the world.

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LAPADA & CINOA member

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All furniture is professionally restored to the highest of standards, using traditional methods, we feel that quality restoration is paramount to the longevity of the piece.

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INSURED DELIVERY INCLUDED IN LIST PRICE WITHIN MAINLAND UK FOR A ONE MAN COURIER SERVICE

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Worldwide shipping available, please contact us for a free quote to include professional packing and fully insured services

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PLEASE NOTE: viewing is 'By Appointment' only - please contact Liza a few days in advance to arrange this.

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Payments are accepted by bank transfer or cheque

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Please contact us if any further high definition photographs are required or please visit our own website as follows where you can zoom in on the photos:

www.lvsdecorativearts.co.uk

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You can contact Liza either by email lvsdecorativearts@btinternet.com or telephone 07703306451

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Please bear in mind: antique items for sale may have some wear and marks commensurate with their age which adds to the character of the piece.

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Thank you for viewing our stock and please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need any further information.

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Description

A fine quality mid 19th century (circa 1840) Goncalo alves freestanding bureau plat or writing table in the French style of generous proportions, attributed to Gillows of Lancaster.

“

This bureau plat consists of a dark blue tooled leather top with goncalo alves banding with a chamfered edge.

LVS Decorative Arts

fig 1. A mid-19th-century French-style writing desk made from figured Goncalo Alves timber, featuring three drawers, gilt bronze Rococo mounts, cabriole legs, and a black leather inset top. — fig 1. Fine Quality Mid 19th Century French Style Goncalo Alves Bureau Plat of Large Proportions

This leads down to three oak lined drawers veneered and cross banded with superbly figured goncalo alves with original gilt metal Rococo style handles and escutcheons with a shaped apron below, the table having three dummy drawers to the back identical to those at the front.

fig 2. A mid-19th-century French-style writing desk made from figured Goncalo Alves timber, featuring three drawers, gilt bronze Rococo mounts, cabriole legs, and a black leather inset top. — fig 2. Fine Quality Mid 19th Century French Style Goncalo Alves Bureau Plat of Large Proportions

The sides also veneered and cross banded with superbly figured goncalo alves with original gilt metal Rococo style mount to the centre with a shaped apron below.

The bureau plat is supported on four solid gonalo alves cabriole legs, each with original gilt metal Rococo style mounts to the top with a smaller one to the foot.

fig 3. A mid-19th-century French-style writing desk made from figured Goncalo Alves timber, featuring three drawers, gilt bronze Rococo mounts, cabriole legs, and a black leather inset top. — fig 3. Fine Quality Mid 19th Century French Style Goncalo Alves Bureau Plat of Large Proportions

To the underside of the top a date of '1840' is written in pencil and also a name that unfortunately we are unable to decipher.

Although having no makers mark, we feel this is possibly a piece made by Gillows due to the fine cabinet work, superb choice of wood and the fact that Gillows were a company known to have used Goncalo alves wood (a wood from Brazil & Portugal, also known Albuera wood or Zebrawood) from 1823 until the mid 1860's - in 1833 Goncalo alves was 40% more expensive than mahogany but less expensive than rosewood, also Gillows started to use French designs in their furniture in the early-mid 19th century.

fig 4. A mid-19th-century French-style writing desk made from figured Goncalo Alves timber, featuring three drawers, gilt bronze Rococo mounts, cabriole legs, and a black leather inset top. — fig 4. Fine Quality Mid 19th Century French Style Goncalo Alves Bureau Plat of Large Proportions

Gillows of Lancaster and London, set up in around 1730, was an English furniture making company based in Lancaster and also London, it continued under this name until 1903 when it became Waring & Gillow after merging with Warings of Liverpool - Gillows of Lancaster and Waring & Gillow both had a very good reputation and are renowned for producing fine quality pieces of furniture.

This bureau plat is in very good condition for age, is of stable construction and can go straight into a home, office or library etc.

Size:

Height: 30'' / 76.25cm

Width: 67'' / 170cm