Art Nouveau writing desks tended to be much more delicate in design than their Victorian predecessors. They followed the elegant lines of the Art Nouveau era which can be seen in the image below of the desk designed by Louis Majorelle.
Below are some examples and price guides of some Art Nouveau writing desks including a lady’s writing desk in mahogany marquetry and a French desk by F Bernard.
Louis Majorelle (French, 1859-1926) Art Nouveau Writing Desk circa 1900 walnut, fruitwood marquetry inscribed “L. Majorelle, Nancy”
Sold for $10,500 at Fontaine’s Auction Gallery in 2021
This is a walnut and gilt bronze, Art Nouveau style writing desk made in Nancy, France, by Louis Majorelle between 1905 and 1915. It is part of a suite of library furniture, known as ‘Les Algues’ (seaweed), the source of the inspiration for its carved decorative detailing and gilt bronze handles.
Reference: Museum of Applied Art and Sciences
A LATE 19TH/EARLY 20TH CENTURY SATINWOOD WRITING DESK The upper section with book recess, above a folding leather writing surface and drawer raised on square tapering legs with brass caps and castors
Sold for £ 375 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2017
AN ART NOUVEAU MAHOGANY MARQUETRY LADY’S WRITING DESK CIRCA 1900 with shaped back, recessed leather-topped writing surface, freize drawer flanked by an open shelf, inlaid and openwork decoration
Sold for GBP 1,250 at Christie’s in 2011
Art Nouveau Maple Desk and Chair Circa 1900 The rectangular top carved with lilies and vines, the drawer “Look Then into Thine Heart and Write”
Sold for $750 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle in 2020
An Art Nouveau marquetry bonheur du jour desk
Late 19th/early 20th Century; Nancy, France Inscribed signature: F. Bernard / Nancy The desk with an ovoid rear panel with low relief floral carving behind a raised compartment fitted with two flanking drawers and a floral marquetry back atop a floral marquetry top over a single frieze drawer with lockplate and raised overall on four carved straight legs with lightly flared feet
Sold for $3,750 at John Moran Auctioneers, Inc. in 2021
