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Splendid Pair of Candelabras, Gilt-Bronze, Louis XIV Style, France, circa 1880
Splendid Pair of Candelabras, Gilt-Bronze, Louis XIV Style, France, circa 1880

Splendid Pair of Candelabras, Gilt-Bronze, Louis XIV Style, France, circa 1880

By André-Charles Boulle

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

Splendid pair of candelabras, gilt bronze, Louis XIV style, France, circa 1880. After a model by

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Candelabras

Materials

Bronze

Pair of English Victorian Boulle Side Cabinets in the Louis XIV Style
Pair of English Victorian Boulle Side Cabinets in the Louis XIV Style

Pair of English Victorian Boulle Side Cabinets in the Louis XIV Style

Located in Macclesfield, GB

red tortoiseshell, pewter and brass inlay in the French Louis XIV style. The cabinets have

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Louis XIV Cabinets

Materials

Brass, Pewter

Cabinet 19th Century Styl Boulle Blue Turtle Shell
Cabinet 19th Century Styl Boulle Blue Turtle Shell

Cabinet 19th Century Styl Boulle Blue Turtle Shell

By André-Charles Boulle

Located in Warsaw, PL

This cabinet is a stunning example of Boulle marquetry, a technique renowned for its intricate and

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Cabinets

Materials

Bronze

Cabinet 19th Century, Napoleon III Period, Style Boulle
Cabinet 19th Century, Napoleon III Period, Style Boulle

Cabinet 19th Century, Napoleon III Period, Style Boulle

By André-Charles Boulle

Located in Warsaw, PL

This wooden cabinet is designed in the Boulle style. This style was very popular around the time of

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Cabinets

Materials

Bronze

Louis XIV Style Silver Plated Bronze Six-Light Chandelier after Boulle
Louis XIV Style Silver Plated Bronze Six-Light Chandelier after Boulle

Louis XIV Style Silver Plated Bronze Six-Light Chandelier after Boulle

Located in London, GB

Finely cast and incised the central urn stem with female figures above a circular platform with six arms terminating in dished cast drip-pans, above a tapering boss with a berried fi...

Category

Antique 1890s French Louis XIV Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Bronze

Louis XIV Ormolu-Mounted Boulle Marquetry Cartel and Pedestal
Louis XIV Ormolu-Mounted Boulle Marquetry Cartel and Pedestal

Louis XIV Ormolu-Mounted Boulle Marquetry Cartel and Pedestal

Located in New York, NY

Exceptional Louis XIV ormolu-mounted Boulle marquetry cartel (striking bracket clock) on a Louis

Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Brass

Louis XIV Style Gilt Bronze Chandelier Model Inspired By André Charles Boulle
Louis XIV Style Gilt Bronze Chandelier Model Inspired By André Charles Boulle

Louis XIV Style Gilt Bronze Chandelier Model Inspired By André Charles Boulle

Located in VERSAILLES, FR

féminins dans le style des rares productions d'André Charles Boulle. A noter la très belle qualité de fonte

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Bronze

French Boulle Bureau Plat  / Library Table, Late 18th Century
French Boulle Bureau Plat  / Library Table, Late 18th Century

French Boulle Bureau Plat / Library Table, Late 18th Century

By André-Charles Boulle

Located in Charleston, SC

Exceptional French Boulle bureau plat has the English feel of a library table with the four rams

Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Ormolu

Louis XIV Bureau Mazarin
Louis XIV Bureau Mazarin

Louis XIV Bureau Mazarin

Unavailable|$114,230

Louis XIV Bureau Mazarin

Located in Paris, FR

Louis XIV desk inlaid with Boulle marquetry decorated on the top with Chinese characters, animals

Category

Antique Early 18th Century Louis XIV Desks

Louis XIV Style Gilt Bronze Six-Light Chandelier after a Design by Boulle
Louis XIV Style Gilt Bronze Six-Light Chandelier after a Design by Boulle

Louis XIV Style Gilt Bronze Six-Light Chandelier after a Design by Boulle

Located in London, GB

Finely cast and incised the central urn stem with female figures above a circular platform with six arms terminating in dish cast drip-pans, above a tapering base with a berried fini...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Ormolu

Pair of Louis XIV Ormolu Chenets, in the manner of Boulle
Pair of Louis XIV Ormolu Chenets, in the manner of Boulle

Pair of Louis XIV Ormolu Chenets, in the manner of Boulle

Located in New York, NY

classical figures on acanthus paw feet with Zephyr masks to the side. In the manner of Andre-Charles Boulle

Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Andirons

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Boulle Work Twin Pedestal Desk
19th Century Boulle Work Twin Pedestal Desk

19th Century Boulle Work Twin Pedestal Desk

Located in Surbiton, GB

André Charles Boulle (1642-1732), cabinetmaker to Louis XIV, developed an ornate Baroque style of

Category

Antique 1850s British Louis XIV Desks

Materials

Brass

Boulle Style Desk
Boulle Style Desk

Boulle Style Desk

Unavailable|$5,891

Boulle Style Desk

Located in Estepona, ES

An imposing yet subtle piece which plays upon the contrast and harmony of black, gold and red tortoiseshell. A very robust piece, with three drawers in perfect condition. The top of ...

Category

Early 2000s European Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

French Napoleon III Boulle Side Cabinet by Mathieu Befort
French Napoleon III Boulle Side Cabinet by Mathieu Befort

French Napoleon III Boulle Side Cabinet by Mathieu Befort

By Befort Jeune

Located in Macclesfield, GB

in the Louis XIV style by Mathieu Befort (Befort Jeune). The cabinet has scrolling floral and foliate

Category

Mid-20th Century French Louis XIV Cabinets

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Nice Boulle Inlaid, Monogrammed Tea Caddy, French, circa 1860
Nice Boulle Inlaid, Monogrammed Tea Caddy, French, circa 1860

Nice Boulle Inlaid, Monogrammed Tea Caddy, French, circa 1860

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

A nice boulle inlaid tea caddy, French circa 1860 in perfect condition. Tea caddy has original tea

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Tea Caddies

Pretty Little Table Bellows in Boulle Marquetry, 17th Century
Pretty Little Table Bellows in Boulle Marquetry, 17th Century

Pretty Little Table Bellows in Boulle Marquetry, 17th Century

Located in Paris, FR

"counterpart" in perfect symmetry as André-Charles Boulle work. On one side, a heart is cut if offered as

Category

Antique 17th Century French Louis XIV More Candle Holders

Materials

Brass

Boulle Buffet in Blackened Pearwood, Napoleon III Period – Mid-19th Century
Boulle Buffet in Blackened Pearwood, Napoleon III Period – Mid-19th Century

Boulle Buffet in Blackened Pearwood, Napoleon III Period – Mid-19th Century

Located in HÉRIC, FR

, s’inspire des créations magistrales de l’ébéniste de Louis XIV, Charles André Boulle. Il se distingue par

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Buffets

Materials

Carrara Marble

Good Late 19th Century English Boulle Work Quarter Chiming Mantel Clock
Good Late 19th Century English Boulle Work Quarter Chiming Mantel Clock

Good Late 19th Century English Boulle Work Quarter Chiming Mantel Clock

By Arnold & Lewis 1

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

The caddy top with four finials over a balustrade sound fret and freestanding Corinthian columns set to each corner on plinths, inlaid all-over with fine engraved brass foliate fretw...

Category

Antique 19th Century British Louis XIV Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Small 19th Century Silvered Bronze Chandelier with Six Candles
Small 19th Century Silvered Bronze Chandelier with Six Candles

Small 19th Century Silvered Bronze Chandelier with Six Candles

By André-Charles Boulle

Located in London, GB

Decorated on the central column with portraits of emperors. The arms terminating in ram's heads supporting incised dishes with French candles. Currently electrified for the UK and...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Chandeliers and Pendants

Monumental Louis XIV Boulle Style Mantel Clock
Monumental Louis XIV Boulle Style Mantel Clock

Monumental Louis XIV Boulle Style Mantel Clock

By Franz Hermle

Located in New York, NY

XIV period design by Andre-Charles Boulle (1642-1732), with wooden frame decorated with shimmering

Category

Late 20th Century German Louis XIV Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Louis XIV Boulle Style Pedestal
19th Century French Louis XIV Boulle Style Pedestal

19th Century French Louis XIV Boulle Style Pedestal

Located in New York, NY

Impressive,very fine quality large antique 19 century pedestal in the Louis XIV period style of

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Pedestals

Materials

Brass

Pair of Louis XIV Boulle style inlaid Side Chairs
Pair of Louis XIV Boulle style inlaid Side Chairs

Pair of Louis XIV Boulle style inlaid Side Chairs

Located in Cranbrook, Kent

Louis XVI style chairs with fluted ormolu-mounted legs and back, the front and side aprons

Category

Vintage 1980s French Louis XIV Chairs

Materials

Beech

19th Century Louis XIV Boulle Style Ebonized Side Cabinet
19th Century Louis XIV Boulle Style Ebonized Side Cabinet

19th Century Louis XIV Boulle Style Ebonized Side Cabinet

Located in New York, NY

Exceptional antique (late 19th century) ebonized side cabinet in the French Louis XIV style with

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Cabinets

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Stunning Louis XIV Boulle Gilt Bronze Table Clock, France, 19th Century
Stunning Louis XIV Boulle Gilt Bronze Table Clock, France, 19th Century

Stunning Louis XIV Boulle Gilt Bronze Table Clock, France, 19th Century

By André-Charles Boulle

Located in Paris, FR

Rare and tall Louis XIV style cartel table clock entirely covered with Boulle style marquetry in

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass, Bronze

French Boulle Marquetry Desk
French Boulle Marquetry Desk

French Boulle Marquetry Desk

By André-Charles Boulle

Located in New Orleans, LA

by Boulle during the reign of Louis XIV, Boulle marquetry was favored for adorning furnishings and

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Boulle Marquetry Desk
19th Century French Boulle Marquetry Desk

19th Century French Boulle Marquetry Desk

By André-Charles Boulle

Located in New Orleans, LA

by Boulle during the reign of Louis XIV, Boulle marquetry was favored for adorning furnishings and

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Desks

Materials

Bronze

Louis XV Boulle Pedestal Clock, Movement Signed Duval, Paris
Louis XV Boulle Pedestal Clock, Movement Signed Duval, Paris

Louis XV Boulle Pedestal Clock, Movement Signed Duval, Paris

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

An exceptional 18 century Louis XIV Boulle clock and pedestal the movement signed Duval Paris for

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Grandfather Clocks and Longcase...

Materials

Brass, Bronze

French Ebony Boulle Marquetry Desk in Louis XIV Style
French Ebony Boulle Marquetry Desk in Louis XIV Style

French Ebony Boulle Marquetry Desk in Louis XIV Style

By André-Charles Boulle

Located in London, GB

French ebony desk in the Louis XIV style, featuring brass and tortoiseshell marquetry in the style

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

Louis XIV Style Jewelry Boulle Marquetry Box, France, 19th Century
Louis XIV Style Jewelry Boulle Marquetry Box, France, 19th Century

Louis XIV Style Jewelry Boulle Marquetry Box, France, 19th Century

By André-Charles Boulle

Located in Paris, FR

Gorgeous and big dimension gorgeous Louis XIV style model rectangular jewelry box, blackened wood

Category

Antique 1870s French Louis XIV Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Pair of Louis XIV Style Ormolu-Mounted Boulle Work Pedestals
Pair of Louis XIV Style Ormolu-Mounted Boulle Work Pedestals

Pair of Louis XIV Style Ormolu-Mounted Boulle Work Pedestals

By André-Charles Boulle

Located in London, GB

with large ormolu acanthus scrolls, on arched bases. After the model by André-Charles Boulle. This

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Pedestals and Columns

Materials

Brass, Pewter

Louis XIV Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Boulle Inlay Writing Desk
Louis XIV Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Boulle Inlay Writing Desk

Louis XIV Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Boulle Inlay Writing Desk

By André-Charles Boulle

Located in London, GB

features some breathtakingly complex Boulle work all around its surface. The tabletop is particularly

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu, Pewter, Bronze

Monumental Louis XIV Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Boulle Marquetry Casket Box
Monumental Louis XIV Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Boulle Marquetry Casket Box

Monumental Louis XIV Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Boulle Marquetry Casket Box

By André-Charles Boulle

Located in Long Island City, NY, NY

A Monumental Louis XIV style French gilt-bronze mounted wood boulle marquetry casket box, circa

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Bronze, Brass

Louis XIV-Style Boulle Bureau Plat
Louis XIV-Style Boulle Bureau Plat

Louis XIV-Style Boulle Bureau Plat

Located in New Orleans, LA

The elegance of Boulle marquetry is fully realized in this Louis XIV-style bureau plat, which

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Boulle Regence-Period Ormolu Candelabra
Boulle Regence-Period Ormolu Candelabra

Boulle Regence-Period Ormolu Candelabra

Located in New Orleans, LA

André-Charles Boulle, the master ébéniste to King Louis XIV. This very pair is further distinguished by

Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Candle Holders

A French Mid 19th Century Louis XIV Style Boulle Cabinet
A French Mid 19th Century Louis XIV Style Boulle Cabinet

A French Mid 19th Century Louis XIV Style Boulle Cabinet

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A handsome and statement making French mid 19th century Louis XIV st. Boulle cabinet. The cabinet

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Louis XIV Style Chinoiserie Motif Boulle Long Case Clock
Louis XIV Style Chinoiserie Motif Boulle Long Case Clock

Louis XIV Style Chinoiserie Motif Boulle Long Case Clock

Located in New York, NY

Very fine quality 19 century French Louis XIV style Boulle inlaid Chinoiserie motif Long Case Clock.

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Cl...

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Rarity by Hyppolite Edme-Pretot Credenza in Louis XIV Style and Boulle Marquetry
Rarity by Hyppolite Edme-Pretot Credenza in Louis XIV Style and Boulle Marquetry

Rarity by Hyppolite Edme-Pretot Credenza in Louis XIV Style and Boulle Marquetry

By Hippolyte-Edme Pretot, André-Charles Boulle

Located in Paris, FR

Parisian bronze cabinetmakers the famous Hyppolite Edme-Pretot, France, 1812-1855. Opening by 2 Louis XIV

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze

Rare Louis XIV Style Cabinet, Boulle Style Marquetry
Rare Louis XIV Style Cabinet, Boulle Style Marquetry

Rare Louis XIV Style Cabinet, Boulle Style Marquetry

Located in Paris, FR

Rare and precious cabinet, Louis XIV style, ebony veneered and Boulle style marquetry in brass

Category

Antique 1870s French Louis XIV Cabinets

Materials

Gold Leaf, Brass, Bronze

Boulle Marquetry Commodes
Boulle Marquetry Commodes

Boulle Marquetry Commodes

By André-Charles Boulle

Located in New Orleans, LA

intricacy and timeless appeal, Boulle marquetry is at its best on pieces such as this pair of Louis XIV

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze

Louis XIV Style Cabinet, France, 19th Century
Louis XIV Style Cabinet, France, 19th Century

Louis XIV Style Cabinet, France, 19th Century

By André-Charles Boulle

Located in Paris, FR

Gorgeous Louis XIV style cabinet in ebony veneer and Boulle style marquetry in brass on red

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Cabinets

Materials

Carrara Marble, Brass, Bronze

Louis XIV Jewelry Decorative Marquetry Box, France, 1860
Louis XIV Jewelry Decorative Marquetry Box, France, 1860

Louis XIV Jewelry Decorative Marquetry Box, France, 1860

By André-Charles Boulle

Located in Paris, FR

Beautiful jewelry decorative box Louis XIV style Boulle Marquetry in all facades, this large box

Category

Antique 1860s French Louis XIV Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Rare Louis XIV Cabinet, France, 18th Century, circa 1780
Rare Louis XIV Cabinet, France, 18th Century, circa 1780

Rare Louis XIV Cabinet, France, 18th Century, circa 1780

By André-Charles Boulle

Located in Paris, FR

Stunning Louis XIV style cabinet, 18th century in ebony veneer with rich Boulle pewter inlays and

Category

Antique 1780s French Louis XIV Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze, Pewter

Fine Ormolu Mounted Boulle Commode
Fine Ormolu Mounted Boulle Commode

Fine Ormolu Mounted Boulle Commode

By André-Charles Boulle

Located in London, GB

With inlaid Boulle-work panels of ebony, brass and scarlet tortoiseshell, cast ormolu mounts and

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

Pair of Boulle Cabinets, 19th Century
Pair of Boulle Cabinets, 19th Century

Pair of Boulle Cabinets, 19th Century

By André-Charles Boulle

Located in Brighton, Sussex

A good quality pair of 19th century French boulle tortoiseshell and brass inlaid chests, each with

Category

Antique 1860s French Louis XIV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Tortoise Shell

Boulle Marquetry Cabinet, End of the 19th Century
Boulle Marquetry Cabinet, End of the 19th Century

Boulle Marquetry Cabinet, End of the 19th Century

By André-Charles Boulle

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

Boulle marquetry cabinet, end of the 19th century Boulle marquetry cabinet opening with two

Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Louis XIV Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Large Antique French Boulle Style Mantel Clock
Large Antique French Boulle Style Mantel Clock

Large Antique French Boulle Style Mantel Clock

By André-Charles Boulle

Located in Brighton, Sussex

A very good quality French large gilded ormolu Boulle inlaid mantel clock. Having classical figures

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Clocks

Materials

Brass

19th Century Pair of Silvered Eight-Light Chandeliers in the Louis XIV Style
19th Century Pair of Silvered Eight-Light Chandeliers in the Louis XIV Style

19th Century Pair of Silvered Eight-Light Chandeliers in the Louis XIV Style

By André-Charles Boulle

Located in London, GB

Designed in the Louis XIV manner pioneered by the renowned French maker André-Charles Boulle, these brass

Category

Antique 19th Century English Louis XIV Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass

Rare Important French Louis XIV Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Boulle Marquetry Clock
Rare Important French Louis XIV Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Boulle Marquetry Clock

Rare Important French Louis XIV Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Boulle Marquetry Clock

Located in Long Island City, NY, NY

A rare and important French Louis XIV style gilt bronze mounted green boulle marquetry clock

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Grandfather Clocks and Longca...

Materials

Brass, Bronze

French 19th Century Ormolu Chandelier After André-Charles Boulle
French 19th Century Ormolu Chandelier After André-Charles Boulle

French 19th Century Ormolu Chandelier After André-Charles Boulle

By André-Charles Boulle

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

A Louis XIV style ormolu eight-lights chandelier, after the famous model by Andre-Charles Boulle An

Category

Antique 1870s French Louis XIV Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Ormolu

Unique and Rare Elysée Ceremonial Cabinet, Louis XIV Style, France, 1875
Unique and Rare Elysée Ceremonial Cabinet, Louis XIV Style, France, 1875

Unique and Rare Elysée Ceremonial Cabinet, Louis XIV Style, France, 1875

By André-Charles Boulle, Befort Jeune

Located in Paris, FR

Unique and very rare Louis XIV style cabinet in ebony veneer and boule style marquetry in brass and

Category

Antique 1870s French Louis XIV Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze

Boulle Marquetry, Louis XIV Style Ormolu Mounted Clock, 19th Century
Boulle Marquetry, Louis XIV Style Ormolu Mounted Clock, 19th Century

Boulle Marquetry, Louis XIV Style Ormolu Mounted Clock, 19th Century

Located in Houston, TX

Late 19th century, a Louis XIV style bracket clock, the rectangular crest Surmounted by a seated

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Mantel Clocks

Materials

Tortoise Shell

Large Ormolu-Mounted Boulle Marquetry Ebonized Wood Pedestal with Marble Top

Large Ormolu-Mounted Boulle Marquetry Ebonized Wood Pedestal with Marble Top

By André-Charles Boulle

Located in London, GB

With a white Carrara marble top above an egg-and-flower mounted edge and a cavetto frieze, on a tapering column with brass line-inlaid sides and a front inlaid with tortoiseshell and...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Pedestals and Columns

Materials

Carrara Marble, Ormolu

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Louis Xiv Boulle For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic louis xiv boulle available at 1stDibs. Each louis xiv boulle for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using metal, wood and brass. There are many kinds of the louis xiv boulle you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. A louis xiv boulle is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in styles are sought with frequency. A well-made louis xiv boulle has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Befort Jeune, André-Charles Boulle and Robert Blake are consistently popular.

How Much is a Louis Xiv Boulle?

Prices for a louis xiv boulle can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $900 and can go as high as $637,038, while the average can fetch as much as $21,942.

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.

Questions About Louis Xiv Boulle
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    King 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.