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.
Early 19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Hardwood, Plaster
1760s Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Giltwood
20th Century Italian Louis XIV Furniture
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Louis XIV Furniture
Upholstery, Fruitwood
1950s French Vintage Louis XIV Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Tapestry, Wood, Giltwood
1910s European Vintage Louis XIV Furniture
Brass
Early 18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Stone, Limestone, Sandstone
Mid-19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Bronze
Late 18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Oak, Walnut
1720s German Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Fir
Late 20th Century American Louis XIV Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Louis XIV Furniture
Marble
1930s American Vintage Louis XIV Furniture
Upholstery, Mahogany
18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Louis XIV Furniture
Upholstery, Oak
17th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Leather, Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Oak
Early 18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Velvet, Walnut
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Wood
17th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Furniture
Cane, Hardwood
18th Century Canadian Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Pine
20th Century French Louis XIV Furniture
Porcelain
18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Walnut
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
1710s Italian Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Marble
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Furniture
Kingwood, Glass
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Furniture
Fabric, Wood, Linen, Walnut
Early 18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Iron
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut
20th Century Thai Louis XIV Furniture
Stone, Malachite
Mid-20th Century German Louis XIV Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century French Louis XIV Furniture
Silver Plate, Bronze, Tin
Early 20th Century Louis XIV Furniture
Mirror, Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Brass
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Wrought Iron
19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Fabric, Wood
20th Century French Louis XIV Furniture
Upholstery, Cane, Mahogany
1850s French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Tapestry, Walnut
19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Limestone
17th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Wrought Iron
1890s Belgian Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Louis XIV Furniture
Mirror, Oak
Early 20th Century American Louis XIV Furniture
Mirror, Mahogany, Paint
Late 20th Century European Louis XIV Furniture
Mahogany, Paint
19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Brass, Wrought Iron
Early 18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Iron
Early 19th Century Belgian Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Marble
19th Century European Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Tapestry, Fruitwood
18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Walnut
1930s Vintage Louis XIV Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Natural Fiber, Wood, Walnut
1710s French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Mercury Glass, Giltwood
Early 20th Century Louis XIV Furniture
Marble, Bronze