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.
20th Century French Louis XIV Furniture
Brass, Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Furniture
Brass, Wrought Iron
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Walnut
1910s French Vintage Louis XIV Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Furniture
Bronze
1880s French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Bronze
1950s French Vintage Louis XIV Furniture
Brass
Mid-19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Lapis Lazuli
17th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century French Louis XIV Furniture
Griotte Marble, Ormolu
1930s French Vintage Louis XIV Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Louis XIV Furniture
Fabric, Oak
1890s French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Bronze
Mid-19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Tapestry, Giltwood
1680s French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Iron
Late 19th Century Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Ormolu
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Furniture
Fabric, Wood, Linen, Walnut
19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Walnut, Oak
1980s French Vintage Louis XIV Furniture
Leather, Walnut
18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Metal, Bronze
Late 17th Century Belgian Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Wool
20th Century Louis XIV Furniture
Copper
Early 20th Century American Louis XIV Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century French Louis XIV Furniture
Gold Plate, Brass
Late 20th Century Turkish Louis XIV Furniture
Silk
19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Bronze
18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Mercury Glass, Wood
19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Giltwood
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Late 17th Century Italian Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Wood
Late 17th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century French Louis XIV Furniture
Linen, Wood
1730s Italian Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
1650s Italian Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Walnut
Mid-19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Louis XIV Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Turkish Louis XIV Furniture
Silk
17th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Iron
Early 18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Belgian Louis XIV Furniture
Glass, Wood, Oak
Late 17th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Leather, Oak
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Canvas, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Louis XIV Furniture
Brass
1940s French Vintage Louis XIV Furniture
Metal, Iron
20th Century French Louis XIV Furniture
Iron
Early 18th Century European Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Slate
Mid-18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Canvas
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Mahogany
20th Century French Louis XIV Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century European Louis XIV Furniture
Wood, Rosewood
17th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Walnut
1930s Vintage Louis XIV Furniture
Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century Turkish Louis XIV Furniture
Silk
17th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Iron
Late 18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Furniture
Beech