Louis XIV Furniture
As opposed to the styles that would follow from the other 18th-century French kings, Louis XV and Louis XVI, antique Louis XIV furniture is rigid and imposing. It expresses opulence — even its armchairs, with their upright backs, straight legs and lavish ornamentation, look like thrones. Authentic Louis XIV sofas, a then newly emerging iteration of seating, are fully upholstered and often feature decoratively carved frames of walnut, chestnut or oak.
When French King Louis XIV established his royal court at Versailles in 1682, he transformed what was once a hunting lodge into a palace that declared his wealth and power through its design. Until his death in 1715, he reigned with a spirit of excess and absolute political dominance. The “Sun King,” as he called himself, believed that France revolved around him as planets do the sun. Louis XIV adopted the sun as his emblem, decorating the grounds with symbols of the sun and Apollo, the Greek god of the sun. As he stated, “There is nothing that indicates more clearly the magnificence of great princes than their superb palaces and their precious furniture.” He was a child when he became king in 1643, only shaping his style after he became absolute monarch in 1661.
Reflecting trends in French Baroque art, Louis XIV furniture characteristics included exuberant decoration. There were gilded bronze details including shells, suns, grotesques, lions and classical references like acanthus leaves. The years of growth in the country’s manufacturing, such as the tapestries and cabinets made at Gobelins, led to design innovations. The commode replaced the chest as a storage device, with drawers and a surface that could double as a desk.
The materials were luxurious, such as the popular tortoiseshell veneer technique that leading cabinetmaker Pierre Golle used in his designs. André-Charles Boulle, who became royal cabinetmaker in 1672, was a masterful artist of marquetry, using inlays of ebony, exotic woods and mother-of-pearl.
Find a collection of antique Louis XIV bedroom furniture, chairs, tables and other pieces on 1stDibs.
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Leather, Oak
Late 20th Century French Louis XIV Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Mahogany
20th Century French Louis XIV Furniture
Wood, Tulipwood
1890s French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Mohair, Oak
Early 1900s French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Bronze
Early 18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Mercury Glass, Mirror, Giltwood
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Kingwood
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Walnut
19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Bronze
1880s Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Brass
1870s French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Early 18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Walnut
18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Wood
Mid-19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Marble, Ormolu
18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Walnut
This remarkable antique well-head is an exquisite example of 18th Century craftsmanship. Made from high-quality French limestone, it showcases intricate carvings and timeless elegance in the Louis XIV style. Originating from Paris, France, and dated between 1760 and 1780, this wellhead is a true piece of history and artistry. Its provenance and perfect condition make it an exceptional find for collectors and garden enthusiasts alike.
History of Antique Wellheads...18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Limestone
20th Century French Louis XIV Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Walnut
1880s English Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Ormolu
18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Marble
19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Walnut, Oak
20th Century Louis XIV Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Belgian Louis XIV Furniture
Oak
18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Furniture
Faux Leather, Walnut
18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Wood
Early 1700s French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Walnut
1950s French Vintage Louis XIV Furniture
Fruitwood
21st Century and Contemporary American Louis XIV Furniture
Brass
Late 18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Brass, Bronze
20th Century French Louis XIV Furniture
Bronze
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Walnut
18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Stone, Limestone
17th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Walnut
Mid-19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Wood
18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Marble
Late 18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Steel
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Furniture
Walnut
Early 20th Century Albanian Louis XIV Furniture
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Louis XIV Furniture
Iron
Early 18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Walnut
19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
18th Century Italian Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Marble
1880s French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Tapestry, Walnut
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Ormolu
Early 18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Bronze, Iron, Metal
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Wood, Pine
17th Century European Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Marble
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Bronze
Late 17th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Beech
19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Limestone
Late 20th Century French Louis XIV Furniture
Oak
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Furniture
Gesso
19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Iron





