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ID #SA772555
FOR SALE
£8,750
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Antique Monumental French Empire Bureau Plat Writing Table 19th C
Regent Antiques
for sale €10,238     $11,113
£8,750
Regent Antiques

Regent Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Sep 2016
View Dealers Stock Page
  • About Us
    We specialise in english and continental furniture, silver, porcelain and decorative items.
  • Trade Associations
    Regent Antiques is a registered member of LAPADA  CINOA
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Id #SA772555
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Antique Monumental French Empire Bureau Plat Writing Table 19th C

19th century
For Sale by Regent Antiques
Description

This is a fine antique French Empire ormolu mounted mahogany bureau plat, Circa 1870 in date.

The rectangular top has an inset gold-tooled green leather writing surface with a very decorative gilt-bronze border.

The frieze has three oak lined drawers and is profusely decorated with gilt bronze anthemion plaques. The desk features large Egyptian Revival neo classical winged sphinxes on each corner and is raised on four square section tapering legs terminating in ormolu feet.

It is freestanding, finished all around, so it can stand freely in the centre of a room.

It is an absolute masterpiece which is sure to get attention wherever it is placed.

Complete with original working lock and key.

Condition:

In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned, polished, waxed and releathered in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 82 x Width 182 x Depth 92

Dimensions in inches:

Height 32.3 x Width 71.7 x Depth 36.2

Gilt Bronze- Ormolu - (from French 'or moulu', signifying ground or pounded gold) is an 18th-century English term for applying finely ground, high-carat gold in a mercury amalgam to an object of bronze.The mercury is driven off in a kiln leaving behind a gold-coloured veneer known as 'gilt bronze'.

The manufacture of true ormolu employs a process known as mercury-gilding or fire-gilding, in which a solution of nitrate of mercury is applied to a piece of copper, brass, or bronze, followed by the application of an amalgam of gold and mercury. The item was then exposed to extreme heat until the mercury burned off and the gold remained, adhered to the metal object.

After around 1830 because legislation had outlawed the use of mercury other techniques were used instead. Electroplating is the most common modern technique. Ormolu techniques are essentially the same as those used on silver, to produce silver-gilt..

Our reference: A1310

Physical Dimensions
Height
82cm (32.28")
Width
182cm (71.65")
Depth
92cm (36.22")
Declaration

Regent Antiques has dated this French Empire Bureau Plat to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA772555
Dealers Internal Reference
A1310
Description
This is a fine antique French Empire ormolu mounted mahogany bureau plat, Circa 1870 in date.
“
The rectangular top has an inset gold-tooled green leather writing surface with a very decorative gilt-bronze border.
Regent Antiques
fig 1. A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface.
fig 1. Antique Monumental French Empire Bureau Plat Writing Table 19th C

The frieze has three oak lined drawers and is profusely decorated with gilt bronze anthemion plaques. The desk features large Egyptian Revival neo classical winged sphinxes on each corner and is raised on four square section tapering legs terminating in ormolu feet.

fig 2. A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface.
fig 2. Antique Monumental French Empire Bureau Plat Writing Table 19th C

It is freestanding, finished all around, so it can stand freely in the centre of a room.

It is an absolute masterpiece which is sure to get attention wherever it is placed.

Complete with original working lock and key.

fig 3. A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface.
fig 3. Antique Monumental French Empire Bureau Plat Writing Table 19th C

Condition:

In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned, polished, waxed and releathered in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 82 x Width 182 x Depth 92

fig 4. A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface.
fig 4. Antique Monumental French Empire Bureau Plat Writing Table 19th C

Dimensions in inches:

Height 32.3 x Width 71.7 x Depth 36.2

Gilt Bronze- Ormolu - (from French 'or moulu', signifying ground or pounded gold) is an 18th-century English term for applying finely ground, high-carat gold in a mercury amalgam to an object of bronze.The mercury is driven off in a kiln leaving behind a gold-coloured veneer known as 'gilt bronze'.

fig 5. A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface.
fig 5. Antique Monumental French Empire Bureau Plat Writing Table 19th C

The manufacture of true ormolu employs a process known as mercury-gilding or fire-gilding, in which a solution of nitrate of mercury is applied to a piece of copper, brass, or bronze, followed by the application of an amalgam of gold and mercury. The item was then exposed to extreme heat until the mercury burned off and the gold remained, adhered to the metal object.

fig 6. A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface.
fig 6. Antique Monumental French Empire Bureau Plat Writing Table 19th C

After around 1830 because legislation had outlawed the use of mercury other techniques were used instead. Electroplating is the most common modern technique. Ormolu techniques are essentially the same as those used on silver, to produce silver-gilt..

Our reference: A1310

Height
82cm (32.28")
Width
182cm (71.65")
Depth
92cm (36.22")
Date of Manufacture

Regent Antiques has dated this French Empire Bureau Plat to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA772555
Dealers Internal Ref
A1310
Regent Antiques
Regent Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Sep 2016

We specialise in english and continental furniture, silver, porcelain and decorative items.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Regent Antiques Profile Page

Trade Associations

Regent Antiques is a registered member of LAPADA  CINOA

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SAVE
A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface.
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Archive I A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface.

Antique Monumental French Empire Bureau Plat Writing Table 19th C

Archive II A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface. View II
Archive III A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface. View III
Archive IV A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface. View IV
Archive V A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface. View V
Archive VI A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface. View VI
Archive VII A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface. View VII
Archive VIII A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface. View VIII
Archive IX A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface. View IX
Archive X A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface. View X
Archive XI A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface. View XI
Archive XII A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface. View XII
Archive XIII A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface. View XIII
Archive XIV A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface. View XIV
Archive XV A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface. View XV
Archive XVI A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface. View XVI
Archive XVII A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface. View XVII
Archive XVIII A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface. View XVIII
Archive XIX A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface. View XIX
Archive XX A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface. View XX
Archive XXI A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface. View XXI
Archive XXII A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface. View XXII
Archive XXIII A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface. View XXIII
Archive XXIV A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface. View XXIV
Archive XXV A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface. View XXV
Archive XXVI A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface. View XXVI
Archive XXVII A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface. View XXVII
Archive XXVIII A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface. View XXVIII
Enlarged Archival View
Regent Antiques

Regent Antiques
Telephone 020 8809 9605 or 020 8802 3900
Location
Manor Warehouse
318 Green Lanes
London
N4 1BX
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/regentantiques
Verified Since Sep 2016
Items For Sale 643
Items Sold 2,638
Regent Antiques
Regent Antiques
Verified Since Sep 2016
View Dealer Info
Location: Manor Warehouse, 318 Green Lanes, London, N4 1BX, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/regentantiques
Verified
Sep 2016
For Sale
643
Sold
2,638
A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface.
Antique Monumental French Empire Bureau Plat Writing Table 19th C
Ref: SA772555
A nineteenth-century French Empire style mahogany bureau plat featuring three drawers with gilt-bronze mounts, winged sphinxes on tapered legs, and an inset dark leather writing surface.
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FAQs

A French Empire bureau plat is a flat-topped writing desk originating in the early nineteenth century, characterised by neoclassical symmetry, dark mahogany construction, and gilt-bronze ormolu mounts inspired by Roman and Egyptian motifs.

High-grade mahogany or rosewood veneers were commonly applied over solid timber framing, finished with cast gilt-bronze ormolu mounts and an inset leather writing surface.

Authentic pieces feature detailed hand-chased bronze mounts, hand-cut dovetail joinery on internal drawers, cast bronze sabots on leg tips, and period-appropriate neoclassical motifs such as winged sphinxes or laurel wreaths.

Position the piece as a freestanding centrepiece in a home office or library setting, paired with clean-lined contemporary seating and architectural lighting to complement the dark wood and gilded bronze detailing.

Maintain the finish by applying natural beeswax sparingly to wood areas, conditioning the leather top with dedicated leather creams, and dusting the bronze mounts with a dry soft-bristled brush.
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