Antique Louis XV style ormolu mounted writing desk

In the Louis XV style, this writing desk is crafted from a selection of high-quality materials expertly worked by skilled French craftsmen. Louis XV style furniture is characterised by the prominence of curved lines, ornate mounts, and the use of nature-inspired motifs. Due to the popularity of King Louis XV’s mistresses and their grand influence over the design of his space, furniture from this period was seen as more feminine and romantic. All these characteristics are visible in this superb furniture piece from Mayfair Gallery’s collection.

The shaped bombe structure of the desk has an elongated oval outline. Throughout, the surface of the piece is adorned with elegant parquetry, the various directions of grain creating an eye-catching design. The wooden surfaces are inlaid with stringing beautifully framing features such as the drawers.

The upper section is filled with four smaller drawers flanked by two larger ones. Each one is mounted with shaped ormolu handles. The two tapering ends of the desk are mounted with an overhanging scrolled acanthus branch twin-light candle arm.

Below is a tooled leather writing surface that can be pulled out to extend its size. The frieze includes a large central drawer flanked by two smaller ones. All three are lockable and are mounted with lavish ormolu rocaille-shaped escutcheons.

The desk stands on four square section cabriole legs, their tops adorned with mounts in the shape of scrolls, shells, as well as acanthus leaves and bellflower pendants. Each leg terminates with foliate ormolu sabots.

Celebrating the playful Louis XV style, this writing desk would be a magnificent addition to, for example, a lady’s home office.