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Louis XIV Chairs

LOUIS XIV STYLE

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.

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Style: Louis XIV
1950s French Carved Oak Chair in Brunschwig & Fils Chinoiserie Leopard Fabric
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a carved French side chair that was upholstered in a 1970s Brunschwig & Fils leopard chinoiserie. It is in very good vintage condition.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Louis XIV Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Oak

18th Century Italian Louis XIV Solid Walnut Antique Armchair
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful early 18th century of the period Louis XIV Italian antique armchair in solid walnut wood. An imposing large armchair with a wide and comfortable seat. Wavy armrests and arc...
Category

1710s Italian Antique Louis XIV Chairs

Materials

Walnut

French Pair of Armchairs Louis XIV style - 1800 19th - France
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Nice pair of Louis 14 style armchairs dating from the 19th century. Very beautiful pair of Louis XIII style armchairs, with high backs. Each armchair rests on four legs connected tog...
Category

19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Antique Hand Carved Louis XIV Needlepoint Tapestry Highback Armchair, circa 1850
Located in Lucenec, SK
A very good large fruitwood Louis XIV armchair with slightly slanted rectangular high backrest and padded seat. With floral carved scrolled arms. On carved legs linked by a 'H' shape...
Category

19th Century European Antique Louis XIV Chairs

Materials

Tapestry, Fruitwood

Pair of Antique 17th-Century French Chairs--Simple, functional beauty, Louis XIV
Located in Saint Helena, CA
Three hundred years of history, rich wood, simple beauty, and rare transitional form! This is a near pair of early French chairs. They are dated circa 1690; imagine more than 300 years of history! They are made of two prized hardwoods--walnut and oak. The chairs are a rich, dark chocolate color with a wonderful patina. The chairs are similar in size, color, and construction, but they are not perfectly matched pairs. The chairs have a simple, utilitarian beauty. Their open backrests have small curves decorating the top rail. The front legs and front crossbars have easy turnings. The legs are reinforced with classic H-stretchers. There are simple cylindrical feet in front and block feet in back. They are of the period and representative of an early, rustic, provincial Louis XIV style. Each chair includes a custom hand-tied cushion made from a Scalamandre textile. The design features deep foliage in faded greens, yellows, and browns, with a few red speckles. The fabric is contemporary yet finished to look wonderfully old, faded, and worn. The chair's historical interest will inspire the collector in you. Early on, most people sat on stools. During the 1600s, chairs--an innovation at the time--became popular. Early chairs were often backstools--more stools with backrests than our modern seats. This pair captures this unique moment of the evolution from stool to chair. The chairs are smaller in size. Their backs are about 32 and 1/2 inches tall, and their seats are about 15 and 1/2 inches high. They are bigger than a child's chair but smaller than a dining chair. The size is part of the historical context. For sure, people were smaller back in the 17th century—maybe 6 inches shorter or more on average. Most importantly, the small size meant these rare, highly valued items could be easily carried where needed—to a guest relaxing, a servant doing light chores, or a devotee praying. (Before we purchased these chairs, they had been in a family chapel at a manor house in the South of France for 100+ years.) Today, you might use these chairs to provide a striking contrast with the rest of your home. The smaller size means they might accessorize your living room, study, hallway, or nook. As the chairs come as a pair, you might sit on them around a fireplace, use them to bookend a side table, or corner them around a coffee table. Wherever placed, these chairs communicate a beauty that's timeless, simple, and functional. Email us to learn more about and to view more pictures of this pair of antique 17th-century French chairs.
Category

17th Century French Antique Louis XIV Chairs

Materials

Oak, Walnut

Louis XVI Child's Chair in Crewelwork Upholstery
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Fabulous early 19th century child's chair upholstered in civil war era crewelwork linen. In original -as found- condition. Small tear on top edge and right corner in front. Structura...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Louis XIV Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

19th Century French Louis XIV Walnut Armchair with Needlepoint Tapestry
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Louis XIV Walnut Armchair with Needlepoint Tapestry is a remarkable example of sculpture that also happens to be a comfortable chair! Hand-carved from select French blonde...
Category

1880s French Antique Louis XIV Chairs

Materials

Tapestry, Walnut

Fine Set of 12 Louis XIV Style Dining Chairs in Fortuny Fabric
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A superb set of 12 Louis XVI style dining chairs with high shaped backs having a carved and ebonized frames and legs. Fluted ta...
Category

20th Century Louis XIV Chairs

Materials

Wood

Vintage 20th Century Salon Chair in Antique French Taste, Giltwood, circa 1970
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage 20th century salon chair in the antique French taste, giltwood dating to circa 1970. Attractive and comfortable salon c...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Louis XIV Chairs

Materials

Giltwood

Rare 17th Century Solid Walnut Rustic Single Chair
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful 17th century of the period Louis XIV Italian antique rustic chair in solid walnut wood. The chair is very simple and essential. The legs...
Category

1650s Italian Antique Louis XIV Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Louis XIV Style Child's Armchair
Located in Pembroke, MA
A high-quality, French child's armchair or fauteuil, in the Louis XIV style (Circa 1900), with Scottish tweed fabric upholstery (more recent), brass nai...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Antique Louis XIV French Armchair Hand Carved
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on CONTINUE READING at the bottom of this page. Offering one of our recent Palm beach estate fine furniture acquisitions of a antique Louis XIV style French armchair hand carved Coloration: Cotton fabric is a light gray with blue diamonds and gold dot accents, best shown in photo 12. Approximate measurements in inches 46" high at back 27" wide 33" deep (back to front) 19" high at seat 22" deep x 22" wide inside seat 28.5" high at arms Condition Report Chair is in good, structurally sound, and sturdy condition with no notable damage to the wood frame. The fabric has no stains or smells but has some light soiling on the back top as shown and which we have not tried to clean. We photograph our pieces in photography lights...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Louis XIV Chairs

Materials

Cotton

Set of Four French Louis XIV Style Walnut Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Spectacular set of four bespoke dining chairs crafted from walnut in the grand French Louis XIV baroque taste. The handsome walnut frames have a ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Louis XIV Chairs

Materials

Brass

18th Century Italian Louis XIV Walnut Chair
Located in Houston, TX
18th century Italian Louis XIV walnut chair. Handsome 18th century northern Italian Louis XIV walnut chair. Our beautiful antique Italian walnut armchair was taken down to the frame...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Louis XIV Chairs

Materials

Walnut, Linen

Rare Reclining Chair Louis XIV
Located in New York, NY
This elegant Reclining Chair Louis XIV is a stunning example of 17th Century French country furniture design and a very rare find. The chair's metal m...
Category

18th Century Antique Louis XIV Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Set of 4 Antique Liegoise Chairs with Embossed Leather Seats
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of 4 antique liegoise chairs with embossed leather seats are perfect for the breakfast room, game room, or for use as occasional chairs anywhere in the home or office! Sculpted f...
Category

Early 20th Century Belgian Louis XIV Chairs

Materials

Leather, Oak

Elegant Pair of Louis XIV Style "Fauteuil A La Reine" Chairs
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Elegant pair of Louis XIV style "fauteuil a la reine" chairs. Late 19th century.
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Louis XIV Chairs

Materials

Giltwood

Louis XVI Style Carved Mahogany Armchair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Louis XVI style, armchair features a beautifully carved mahogany frame with it's original patina and new underpinnings with muslin fabric. The chair can be used as is or upholstered ...
Category

1930s American Vintage Louis XIV Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Pair of Louis XVI Belgian linen armchairs purchased at Les Puces de Paris.
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Louis XVI Style carved bleached wood armchairs, custom upholstered in pulled Belgian off-white linen with nail heads. Chairs each come with fitted cushion. Wood is bleached w...
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Wood

8 Set Armchairs Chairs Upholstered Fruitwood 19 Century Louis XIV Style Stripe
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
A fine set of eight fruitwood chairs, late 19th century, in the Louis XIV style. Lovely set with striking form and turnings Very unusual to have four armchairs in a set Also unu...
Category

1860s French Antique Louis XIV Chairs

Materials

Fruitwood

Pair Antique Liegoise Louis XIV Side Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair Antique Liegoise Louis XIV side chairs feature the graceful lines that are exceptionally ergonomic, designed before the word "ergonomic" had even been coined! High, S-curved sea...
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Chairs

Materials

Oak

Louis XIV style High Back Throne Like Armchair Pair
Located in Southampton, NJ
Pair of elegant and stately manor-like throne sitting chairs in the style of Louis XIV. Chairs are strong and sturdy and the fabric is in very good condition with no rips or stains. ...
Category

1980s Unknown Vintage Louis XIV Chairs

Materials

Wood

Suite of 4 Armchairs Louis XV Style
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very rare suite of 4 armchairs Louis XV style, the carving, the hand painting of this 4 armchairs are stunning sold as is.
Category

1930s Vintage Louis XIV Chairs

Materials

Wood

Six Dining Chairs High Back Upholstered to Recover French, circa 1920
Located in Labrit, Landes
Set of six French dining chairs circa 1920 to recover Carved oak with griffin eagle feet The backs are recovered of leather and need to be changed. The seat...
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Chairs

Materials

Oak, Upholstery

Angel's chair in Solid Wood Gold Leaf Finish and Padded Seat
Located in Lentate sul Seveso, Monza e Brianza
Introducing the Angel's Chair—an embodiment of elegance and divine design. This exquisite piece boasts a gracefully curved back and legs, adding a touch of celestial charm to any space. Adorned in luxurious red flannel, it invites you to sink into a throne of comfort and sophistication. But the allure doesn't stop there—every inch of the Angel's Chair is meticulously finished in opulent gold leaf, elevating it to a level of unparalleled glamour. This divine combination of rich red and shimmering gold creates a statement piece that transcends mere furniture, becoming a symbol of refined taste and celestial aesthetics. Bring a touch of celestial opulence into your home with the Angel's Chair. Whether gracing your living room or adding regal flair to a cozy corner, this chair is more than furniture; it's a testament to the art of living...
Category

2010s Italian Louis XIV Chairs

Materials

Gold Leaf

Pair of Chiavari High Back Chairs by Gaetano Descalzi, Italy in Mahogany
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Original elegant early 20th century pair of Chiavari high back chairs, " Chiavarine" , by Giuseppe Gaetano Descalzi , Italy, mahogany ebonized. Restored and re-upholstered Measure i...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Louis XIV Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century French Louis XIV Style Walnut Chair
Located in Houston, TX
19th century French Louis XIV style walnut chair. This stunning antique French Louis XIV style armchair or side chair is both large and comfortable. We have newly upholstered this ch...
Category

1860s French Antique Louis XIV Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Set of 6 Louis XIV Style Dining Chairs with Carved Wood Frames
Located in Elkton, MD
Set of 6 Louis XIV Style Dining Chairs featuring intricately carved wood frames and luxurious leather upholstery. Includes 2 armchairs measuring 45" h x 23" w x 24" d and 4 side chai...
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Set of Eight french Upholstered Chairs in Golden Wood Louis XIV Style - 19th
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Beautiful set of 8 Louis XIV style chairs with baluster base in gilded wood connected by a spacer. The set has been reupholstered in a very good quality beige fabric with rectangular...
Category

19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Chairs

Materials

Wood, Upholstery

Louis XVI Style Arm Chairs Maison Jansen Style, a Pair
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Ebonized mahogany frame with gold details; upholstered in sculpted or woven chenille checked pattern unmarked / in the manner of Maison Jansen or Baker Curbside to NYC/Philly avai...
Category

Mid-20th Century Louis XIV Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

4 Large Old Louis XIV Chairs in Walnut, 19th Century, from a Castle
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
4 large old Louis XIV chairs in walnut, 19th century, from the Loire Valley castle. Original tapestry, worn, but with a beautiful patina. The chairs have been recently refurbished, ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Chairs

Materials

Tapestry, Walnut

Pair of 19th Century French Carved Walnut Chairs with Needlepoint Upholstery
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a bedroom or study with this elegant pair of antique side chairs. Crafted in southern France circa 1870, each chairs stands on turned legs ending with bun feet over a carved...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Chairs

Materials

Tapestry, Walnut

Pair Antique Liegoise Louis XIV Style Side Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair Antique Liegoise Louis XIV Style side chairs were hand-crafted by the master artisans of Liege, where fine quality furniture has been produced for centuries! Using dense, old-gr...
Category

Early 20th Century Belgian Louis XIV Chairs

Materials

Silk, Oak

Louis Xiv chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Louis XIV chairs for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Louis XIV chairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original chairs, popular names associated with this style include and Fratelli Boffi. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $640 and tops out at $24,000 while the average work can sell for $2,392.

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