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Sèvres Porcelain-Mounted Bureau Plat

  • This glorious Louis XV-style French bureau plat features exquisite Sèvres porcelain plaques
  • The inconspicuous drawers are opened via an ingenious spring-loaded mechanism with hidden releases
  • Originating in the mid-18th century, Sèvres furnishings were a favorite of the aristocracy
  • Sèvres porcelain furniture is found in some of the finest museums in the world
  • Get complete item description here
$78,500
Item No. 29-5188

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Description
Form and function converge in this exceptional Louis XV-style bureau plat graced with eight elegant Sèvres porcelain plaques. Framing these delightful, hand-painted floral and fowl-themed plaques is a network of exquisite gilt bronze. Supporting the leather-topped table are graceful cabriole legs, a hallmark of fine Louis XV taste, that are crowned by gilt bronze caryatids and terminate in gilt bronze mounts. What makes this desk even more stunning is the inclusion of three concealed drawers. . .
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Form and function converge in this exceptional Louis XV-style bureau plat graced with eight elegant Sèvres porcelain plaques. Framing these delightful, hand-painted floral and fowl-themed plaques is a network of exquisite gilt bronze. Supporting the leather-topped table are graceful cabriole legs, a hallmark of fine Louis XV taste, that are crowned by gilt bronze caryatids and terminate in gilt bronze mounts. What makes this desk even more stunning is the inclusion of three concealed drawers that are opened only by the spring-loaded secret release mechanisms located underneath.

The first porcelain mounted furnishings appeared sometime in the mid-18th century in the shops of the foremost Parisian art dealers. These furnishings successfully, and quite beautifully, married renowned Sèvres porcelain with fine furniture to create a new segment of the decorative arts that appealed greatly to the aristocracy, especially women. The Duchesse de Mazarin, Comtesse du Barry, Marie-Antoinette and the Grand Duchess Maria Feodorovna of Russia are all known to have exquisite collections of Sèvres-mounted furniture. This ornate writing desk, or bureau plat, is a stunning 19th-century example of this treasured decorative art. 

Demand for porcelain-mounted furniture was successfully met by Sèvres substantial team of gifted porcelain artisans, particularly flower painters, whose remarkably intricate and elegant floral motifs were the most often requested to adorn these brilliant furnishings. Today, the greatest collections of Sèvres porcelain furniture are held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, the Wallace Collection in London and the famed Louve in Paris. 

Circa 1880

53" wide x 31" deep x 32" high
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Sèvres Porcelain-Mounted Bureau Plat
Period: 19th Century
Origin: France
Type: Desk/Writing Tables
Style: Louis XV
Depth: 32.5 in. (82.55 cm)
Width: 60.0 in. (152.4 cm)
Height: 31.5 in. (80.01 cm)
Buy with Confidence

At M.S. Rau, we are committed to building a long-term, rewarding relationship with each and every client. That’s why your purchase is backed by our 125% guarantee.

Learn More

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The M.S. Rau Difference

The M.S. Rau Difference

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M.S. Rau is committed to offering fine art of the highest caliber and we seek paintings and sculpture by historically renowned artists, often with impressive provenance. The large majority of our works of art come from private. . .

M.S. Rau is committed to offering fine art of the highest caliber and we seek paintings and sculpture by historically renowned artists, often with impressive provenance. The large majority of our works of art come from private collections; many are fresh to the market. Founded on Bill Rau’s expertise in the field, our specialisms range from Old Master pictures to Modern Art masterpieces. We regularly exhibit Dutch, Flemish, and Italian Old Masters, Academic, Orientalist, Barbizon, Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, Maritime & Sporting, British Neoclassical and American Illustration.

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For more than a century, M.S. Rau has offered clients a superb selection of the highest quality jewelry. From the rarest colored diamonds, to the most sublime gemstones, to the most exquisite designer jewelry, M.S. Rau houses an extraordinary collection of fine jewels to satisfy the most discerning collector. Stunning creations by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Harry Winston and Patek Philippe are offered alongside extreme rarities such as vivid yellow, pink and blue diamonds, coveted Burma and Kashmir sapphires and elusive Golconda diamonds prized for their fire and perfection. Iconic jewels from the Art Deco, Edwardian, Art Nouveau and Victorian periods round out the collection.

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Since 1912, M.S. Rau has been recognized as a leader in the antiques industry and today our collections of rare silver, furniture, clocks, porcelain, glass and objets d'art are second to none. Our commitment to curating the. . .

Since 1912, M.S. Rau has been recognized as a leader in the antiques industry and today our collections of rare silver, furniture, clocks, porcelain, glass and objets d'art are second to none. Our commitment to curating the world’s most extraordinary and beautiful treasures has remained steadfast and our acquisition philosophy is simple: seek out and acquire only the very finest works whose provenance, beauty and rarity set them apart from all others. Our clients can be certain that each and every piece in our gallery has been hand-selected and carefully vetted for authenticity, condition and provenance. And, because our network of contacts spans generations, we are often able to acquire pieces that may have otherwise never been available on the market.

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