19th Century French Louis XV Carved Solid Oak Parquetry Bureau Plat Writing Desk

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19th Century French Louis XV Carved Solid Oak Parquetry Bureau Plat Writing Desk
A beautifully proportioned late 19th-century French Louis … Read more 19th Century French Louis XV Carved Solid Oak Parquetry Bureau Plat Writing Desk
A beautifully proportioned late 19th-century French Louis XV writing desk or bureau plat, circa 1890, handcrafted in solid oak with an unusually rich carved apron and parquetry top.
The broad rectangular writing surface is composed of warm-toned oak parquetry arranged in a geometric pattern and surrounded by a molded edge. Years of age and use have developed a wonderfully mellow, naturally varied surface and deep amber-brown patina.
Beneath the top, the desk becomes particularly impressive. An extensively hand-carved shaped apron is worked with scrolling acanthus foliage, shell motifs and crosshatched reserves, creating a remarkably sculptural border around the entire piece. A cleverly concealed working drawer is incorporated into the carved apron, preserving the uninterrupted decorative design when closed.
Four gracefully drawn cabriole legs continue the Louis XV vocabulary, with carved foliate decoration at the knees and delicately scrolling feet.
Unlike more heavily ornamented Louis XV Revival desks employing gilt bronze and exotic veneers, this example derives its character entirely from the quality of its oak, carving, proportions and warm aged surface. The result is simultaneously elegant and relaxed—equally appropriate for a traditional library, French-inspired interior, or as an architectural antique accent in a contemporary room.
At just 25.5 inches deep, the desk offers an especially useful footprint for today's interiors while retaining the presence and generous 55-inch width of a substantial antique writing table.
Origin: France See less