Louis Xiv Boulle
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Pedestals
Brass
Antique Early 18th Century French Louis XIV Wall Clocks
Brass, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Chandeliers and Pendants
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Chandeliers and Pendants
Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Inkwells
Bronze, Ormolu, Brass
Antique 17th Century French Louis XIV Wall Clocks
Marine turtle
Antique 1710s French Louis XIV Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Tortoise Shell
Vintage 1950s French Louis XIV Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Brass
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Cabinets
Brass, Ormolu
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Console Tables
Brass, Ormolu
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Jewelry Boxes
Brass, Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Desks
Brass, Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Tea Caddies
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Vitrines
Brass, Ormolu
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Wall Lights and Sconces
Ormolu
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Mantel Clocks
Brass
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Floor Mirrors and Full-Length Mirrors
Brass, Ormolu
Antique 18th Century French Louis XIV Cabinets
Brass
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Figurative Sculptures
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Tea Caddies
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Chandeliers and Pendants
Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Wall Mirrors
Brass, Ormolu
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Credenzas
Brass
Antique 1880s French Louis XIV Cabinets
Brass
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Mantel Clocks
Brass, Ormolu
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Console Tables
Brass, Copper, Pewter
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Pedestals and Columns
Brass, Ormolu
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Wall Lights and Sconces
Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Decorative Boxes
Brass
Antique 19th Century Chandeliers and Pendants
Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Cabinets
Marble, Brass, Ormolu, Bronze
Antique 1870s French Louis XIV Chandeliers and Pendants
Ormolu
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Brass, Bronze, Ormolu
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Chandeliers and Pendants
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Wall Lights and Sconces
Metal, Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Wall Lights and Sconces
Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Tobacco Accessories
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Cupboards
Brass, Ormolu
Antique Mid-19th Century French Belle Époque Cabinets
Brass, Bronze
Early 20th Century Louis XVI Credenzas
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Antique 1860s Louis XIV Wall Mirrors
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Ormolu
Antique 19th Century English Louis XIV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Cabinets
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Cabinets
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Center Tables
Granite, Brass, Ormolu
Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Buffets
Carrara Marble
Antique Mid-19th Century English High Victorian Inkwells
Brass
20th Century French Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Beech
Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Breccia Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Antique 1890s French Napoleon III Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Marble, Belgian Black Marble, Griotte Marble
Antique Early 18th Century French Louis XIV Wall Clocks
Bronze
Antique Early 18th Century European Louis XIV Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Antique Early 18th Century French Louis XIV Desks
Brass
Antique 1710s French Louis XIV Mantel Clocks
Ormolu
Antique Early 18th Century French Mantel Clocks
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique 1720s French Louis XIV Wall Clocks
Tortoise Shell
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Candelabras
Bronze
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A Close Look at 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.
- Was King Louis XIV a good king?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021King Louis XIV was considered a good king during his reign. He took his responsibilities as king seriously and made decisions that were in the people of France's best interests. He wasn't known to be selfish, like some other monarchs.