Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdeley was a French cabinetmaker and sculptor who was highly acclaimed for his work in the Louis XIV and Louis XV styles. Beurdeley’s grandfather, Jean Beurdeley, fought in Napoleon’s army. Following his military career, he opened a cabinetmaking business in Paris. A.E. Beurdeley’s father, Louis Beurdeley, taught him the family trade.
In 1875 Beurdeley took over the family business after working beside his father for many years. The Beurdeley family’s fine furnishings had been popular among the elite and wealthy of the time such as Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie. To have a piece of Beurdeley luxury furniture in your home was a symbol of social status and refined taste.
A.E. Beurdeley was celebrated for his craftsmanship. In 1878, he won the gold medal at the Exposition Universelle in Paris, France. In 1893, following the Universal Exhibition in Amsterdam, Netherlands, he was awarded Chevalier de la Légion D’honneur, the highest honor given in France. Between 1894 and 1895, Beurdeley closed his shops in France and retired to his hotel in the Rue de Clichy. He spent the remainder of his life mostly in seclusion.
In his later years, A.E. Beurdeley became a prolific art collector. He was well known for buying and selling large collections of furniture, porcelain sculptures and paintings. In 1905, he acquired an impressive collection of drawings by 18th century artists François Boucher, Jean-Honoré Fragonard, Nicolas Lancret and Antoine Watteau. When he died, he left 25,000 francs to the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. In 1900, Beurdeley held the largest collection of engravings in Europe. His collections can be seen in the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, the Louvre Museum in Paris and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
On 1stDibs, find antique Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdeley case pieces and storage cabinets, decorative objects and lighting.
H.-L. Wassmus, Louis XV-Model Flat Desk, France, circa 1860
Located in PARIS, FR
Beautiful Louis XV style desk in wood veneer and chiseled and gilded bronze. It is decorated on all sides, in cartouches circled by a frieze of eggs and foliage, with a marquetry of ...
Bronze
Rare Louis XV Style Bureau Plat, After a Model by J. Dubois, France, Circa 1880
Located in PARIS, FR
A rare double-side Louis XV style flat desk, made of veneered wood, opening with three drawers decorated with a beautiful flower motif end-cut wood marquetry. With fine chased and gi...
Bronze
Important Louis XV Style Bureau Plat Attributed to G. Durand, France, Circa 1880
By Gervais Durand
Located in PARIS, FR
Large veneered wood flat desk attributed to G. Durand, opening with three frieze drawers. Mounted with Rocaille style chiseled ormolu representing shells, foliage and flower garlands. Raised on four cabriole legs ornamented with chiseled ormolu. This flat desk is inspired by the one executed by the cabinet-maker Joseph Baumhauer, which was offered by King Louis XV to Empress Elisabeth...
Bronze
Louis XV Style Wood Marquetry Table Attributed to G. Durand, France, Circa 1880
By Gervais Durand
Located in PARIS, FR
A Louis XV style wood marquetry rectangular table attributed to G. Durand. Raised on four cabriole legs, each surmounted by a gilt-bronze mount and ending on cast feet. Surmounted by...
Bronze
Spectacular Louis XVI Style Center Table, France, circa 1880
Located in PARIS, FR
Beautiful ceremonial table in mahogany veneer, black stained wood and gilded bronze. The top with symmetrical decoration presents an important marquet...
Bronze
J.-E. Zwiener, Louis XV style Table, France, Circa 1890
By Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener
Located in PARIS, FR
Charming serpentine shaped , Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener Louis XV style table with an elegant “bois de bout” floral marquetry on the tray and opening with two drawers. Rich gilded bronze...
Bronze
French 19th Century Louis XV Style Ebonized Wood and Gilt Bronze-Mounted Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine French 19th century Louis XV style ebonized wood and gilt bronze-mounted figural bureau plat (desk) with three drawers and leather top. The shaped rectangular top enclosing a ...
Bronze
A French 19th century Louis XV st. Ebony, Brass and Ormolu desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality French 19th century Louis XV st. Ebony, Brass and Ormolu desk. This wonderful Bureau Plat is designed in the Boulle st. while raised on four cabriole Ebon...
Brass, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XV Style Ormolu-Mounted Kingwood Bureau-Plat Desk
By H. Conquet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and large French 19th century Louis XV style ormolu mounted (gilt bronze) kingwood and walnut bureau plat by H. Conquet after a model by Charles Cressent. The shaped rect...
Bronze
French 19th Century Louis XV St. Kingwood and Ormolu Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most elegant French 19th century Louis XV st. kingwood and ormolu desk. The desk is raised by beautiful cabriole legs with fine wrap around ormolu sabots and a striking ormolu fill...
Ormolu
French 19th century Louis XV st. Mahogany and Ormolu Bureau Plat desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most spectacular and extremely high quality French 19th century Louis XV st. Mahogany and Ormolu Bureau Plat desk. This large scale desk is raised by impressive cabriole legs with ...
Ormolu
20th Century Elegant Veneered Bureau Plat or Writing Desk in Louis XV Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Elegant veneered bureau plat or desk in Louis XV style Solid beechwood and veneer. Very fine, floral bronze fittings. Curved and pronounced or arched wooden body. Frame base with...
Bronze
