What is a French bureau plat?

A bureau plat is a flat-topped writing table featuring frieze drawers, originating in late 17th-century France. During the Louis XV period, these desks were characterized by sweeping cabriole legs, gilt-bronze mounts, and leather writing surfaces.

What materials were traditionally used to construct a Louis XV bureau plat?

These desks were typically constructed using hardwoods such as mahogany, rosewood, or kingwood, fitted with leather skiver tops, and embellished with cast gilt-bronze or brass mounts and handles.

How can you identify authentic 19th-century Louis XV revival furniture?

Authentic 19th-century revival pieces feature hand-carved detailing, heavy cast metal mounts with precise chasing, dovetailed drawer construction, and natural aging to the leather and gilded finishes.

How do you style a French bureau plat in a modern interior?

Position the desk centrally in a study or against a main wall, paired with a tailored contemporary chair and modern task lighting to highlight the balance between traditional craftsmanship and modern design.

How should an antique leather-topped writing table be maintained?

Dust timber surfaces regularly with a dry cloth and apply natural beeswax occasionally, while treating the leather inset with a dedicated conditioner to prevent drying and cracking.

for sale €2,165 $2,350

£1,850

Yolanda Gray Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Aug 2010

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French Library Desk

Mahogany Bureau Plat

Leather Top Study Desk

French Bureau Plat Desk

Id #SA987747

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Antique French 19th Century Louis Xv Gilt & Leather Bureau Plat Desk / Writing Table (Circa 1880)

19th century

For Sale by Yolanda Gray Antiques

Description

Summary:

• Item: French Desk

• Circa: 1890

• Provenance: France

• Style: Louis XV

• Period: 3rd Republic

• Wood: Pine frame

• Size: 3ft 6?” wide x 1ft 8?” deep

• Gilt beaded moulded desk-top

• Green leather insert with gold tooling

• Two hand-dovetailed drawers

• Original brass handles

• Working locks and key

• Moulded & gilt carved drawer fronts

• Cartouches & acanthus leaf carved apron

• Free-standing desk (carved gilding all round)

• Cabriole legs with carved toes

• Original steel castors

• Designed to be free-standing

• Fantastic colour & patination

• Good condition

• Single piece desk (does not dismantle)

• Free 14-day UK returns period*

This is an attractive antique 19th century Louis XV revival French desk, incorporating a green leather desktop, decorated with fine gilt carvings, circa 1880, in good original condition. The French desk is constructed from a solid pine frame, decorated with wooden floral carvings and cartouches, finished in gold leaf. Incorporating a fine quality green leather insert, with gold-tooling to the perimeter, the top is decorated with a lovely bead-molded edge. The two working drawers below feature moulded drawer fronts, decorated with further gilt carvings above a reed-moulded frieze. The drawers retain the original cast brass handles and escutcheons, with working brass lever locks and key. The pine lined drawers are constructed with hand-dovetailed joints, pine drawer bottoms and quarter beading to the frame. The French desk incorporates a pretty serpentine shaped apron, decorated with a central carved cartouche and acanthus leaves above the cabriole legs, which are finished in gold leaf. This design is mirrored on the back of the desk. The desk stands on elegant cabriole legs terminating on its original steel castors. This style of desk was designed to be freestanding in the middle of the room; this is why there is decorative detail on the sides and to the back of the desk. This is a single piece French desk and does not dismantle. The French desk boasts a rich dark colour. As it boasts the original polish, it has a fantastic colour and patination – this can only be achieved through age and years of care and cleaning it has received. This French desk would look superb in either a traditional or contemporary home.

Condition Report:

This is an attractive antique 19th century Louis XV revival French desk, incorporating a green leather desktop, decorated with fine gilt carvings, circa 1880, in good original condition. The gilt carvings and gold leaf are in good condition. The green leather is in good overall condition. Nominal old use marks to the leather and leading edges of the desk frame, but nothing significant considering the age of the item (see photos). The drawers are in good working order and retain their original handles and working brass lever locks. This French desk is solid in joint and ready to be used.

Free UK Delivery*:

We offer free delivery to mainland England, Wales, and Southern Scotland (anywhere south of Stirling). *We do not offer free delivery to locations north of Stirling in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or any British Islands off the mainland; for example, the Isle of Man, Isle of White and Channel Islands.

International Buyers:

If you live outside the UK and you would like to purchase this item, please contact us before purchasing it, so that we can obtain an accurate shipping quote and delivery lead-time. The shipping quote provided is a global estimate only. The actual shipping cost will vary by country and postcode.

About the Seller:

This item is being sold by Yola Gray Antiques who is an accredited member of LAPADA (the UK’s largest Trade Association of Professional Art and Antique Dealers) and CINOA.

Physical Dimensions

Height

75cm (29.53")

Width

107cm (42.13")

Depth

52.5cm (20.67")

Declaration

Yolanda Gray Antiques has dated this Louis Xv Writing Desk to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA987747

Dealers Internal Reference

76531

Dealers Notes

Please contact us on 01829 458 070 or 07960 738 212 to arrange a viewing. Alternatively, please email: info@yolagray.com

Description

Summary:

• Item: French Desk

• Circa: 1890

• Provenance: France

• Style: Louis XV

• Period: 3rd Republic

• Wood: Pine frame

• Size: 3ft 6?” wide x 1ft 8?” deep

• Gilt beaded moulded desk-top

• Green leather insert with gold tooling

fig 1. A dark wood Louis XV style writing desk featuring gilt metal trim, cabriole legs, frieze drawers, and a green leather inset top. — fig 1. Antique French 19th Century Louis Xv Gilt & Leather Bureau Plat Desk / Writing Table (Circa 1880)

• Two hand-dovetailed drawers

• Original brass handles

• Working locks and key

• Moulded & gilt carved drawer fronts

• Cartouches & acanthus leaf carved apron

• Free-standing desk (carved gilding all round)

fig 2. A dark wood Louis XV style writing desk featuring gilt metal trim, cabriole legs, frieze drawers, and a green leather inset top. — fig 2. Antique French 19th Century Louis Xv Gilt & Leather Bureau Plat Desk / Writing Table (Circa 1880)

• Cabriole legs with carved toes

• Original steel castors

• Designed to be free-standing

• Fantastic colour & patination

• Good condition

• Single piece desk (does not dismantle)

• Free 14-day UK returns period*

“

This is an attractive antique 19th century Louis XV revival French desk, incorporating a green leather desktop, decorated with fine gilt carvings, circa 1880, in good original condition.

Yolanda Gray Antiques

The French desk is constructed from a solid pine frame, decorated with wooden floral carvings and cartouches, finished in gold leaf. Incorporating a fine quality green leather insert, with gold-tooling to the perimeter, the top is decorated with a lovely bead-molded edge. The two working drawers below feature moulded drawer fronts, decorated with further gilt carvings above a reed-moulded frieze. The drawers retain the original cast brass handles and escutcheons, with working brass lever locks and key. The pine lined drawers are constructed with hand-dovetailed joints, pine drawer bottoms and quarter beading to the frame. The French desk incorporates a pretty serpentine shaped apron, decorated with a central carved cartouche and acanthus leaves above the cabriole legs, which are finished in gold leaf. This design is mirrored on the back of the desk. The desk stands on elegant cabriole legs terminating on its original steel castors. This style of desk was designed to be freestanding in the middle of the room; this is why there is decorative detail on the sides and to the back of the desk. This is a single piece French desk and does not dismantle. The French desk boasts a rich dark colour. As it boasts the original polish, it has a fantastic colour and patination – this can only be achieved through age and years of care and cleaning it has received. This French desk would look superb in either a traditional or contemporary home.

fig 3. A dark wood Louis XV style writing desk featuring gilt metal trim, cabriole legs, frieze drawers, and a green leather inset top. — fig 3. Antique French 19th Century Louis Xv Gilt & Leather Bureau Plat Desk / Writing Table (Circa 1880)

Condition Report:

This is an attractive antique 19th century Louis XV revival French desk, incorporating a green leather desktop, decorated with fine gilt carvings, circa 1880, in good original condition. The gilt carvings and gold leaf are in good condition. The green leather is in good overall condition. Nominal old use marks to the leather and leading edges of the desk frame, but nothing significant considering the age of the item (see photos). The drawers are in good working order and retain their original handles and working brass lever locks. This French desk is solid in joint and ready to be used.

fig 4. A dark wood Louis XV style writing desk featuring gilt metal trim, cabriole legs, frieze drawers, and a green leather inset top. — fig 4. Antique French 19th Century Louis Xv Gilt & Leather Bureau Plat Desk / Writing Table (Circa 1880)

Free UK Delivery*:

We offer free delivery to mainland England, Wales, and Southern Scotland (anywhere south of Stirling). *We do not offer free delivery to locations north of Stirling in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or any British Islands off the mainland; for example, the Isle of Man, Isle of White and Channel Islands.

fig 5. A dark wood Louis XV style writing desk featuring gilt metal trim, cabriole legs, frieze drawers, and a green leather inset top. — fig 5. Antique French 19th Century Louis Xv Gilt & Leather Bureau Plat Desk / Writing Table (Circa 1880)

International Buyers:

If you live outside the UK and you would like to purchase this item, please contact us before purchasing it, so that we can obtain an accurate shipping quote and delivery lead-time. The shipping quote provided is a global estimate only. The actual shipping cost will vary by country and postcode.

About the Seller:

This item is being sold by Yola Gray Antiques who is an accredited member of LAPADA (the UK’s largest Trade Association of Professional Art and Antique Dealers) and CINOA.