Louis Xvi Boiserie
Antique 18th Century French Louis XVI Trumeau Mirrors
Wood
Antique 18th Century French Louis XVI Trumeau Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Mantel Mirrors and Fireplace Mirrors
Wood, Paint
Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XVI Panelling
Wood, Paint
Antique 18th Century French Louis XVI Decorative Art
Wood
Antique 18th Century French Louis XVI Architectural Elements
Wood, Oak
Antique 1890s French Louis XVI Panelling
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Panelling
Marble
Recent Sales
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Louis XVI Paintings
Wood, Canvas
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Trumeau Mirrors
Wood
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Trumeau Mirrors
Wood
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XVI Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Antique 1880s French Louis XVI Panelling
Antique Late 19th Century French Architectural Elements
Plaster
Antique 19th Century French Architectural Elements
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Decorative Art
20th Century French Louis XVI Bookcases
20th Century French Louis XVI Wall Mirrors
Gold Leaf
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Panelling
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Panelling
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Panelling
Wood
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Panelling
Fruitwood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Panelling
Oak
Antique 1790s French Louis XVI Architectural Elements
Giltwood, Paint
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XVI Panelling
Wood
Antique Late 18th Century Italian Louis XVI Cabinets
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Wall Mirrors
Wood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Paintings
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Architectural Elements
Wood
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XVI Panelling
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Wall-mounted Sculptures
Giltwood
Antique 1790s French Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Giltwood
Antique Late 18th Century French Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Wood
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XVI Decorative Art
Wood
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XVI Panelling
Antique 1890s French Louis XVI Panelling
Wood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Trumeau Mirrors
Pine, Paint
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Louis XVI Trumeau Mirrors
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Louis XVI Panelling
Pine
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Wall Mirrors
Wood, Gesso, Mercury Glass, Mirror
Antique Early 18th Century French Louis XVI Decorative Art
Canvas, Gesso, Plaster, Wood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Louis XVI Wall-mounted Sculptures
Wood
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
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Antique 19th Century Louis XVI Beds and Bed Frames
Oak
Vintage 1920s French Louis XV Sofas
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Early 20th Century French Dinner Plates
Porcelain
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Gold Leaf
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Beds and Bed Frames
Cane, Wood
Louis Xvi Boiserie For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Louis Xvi Boiserie?
A Close Look at Louis Xvi Furniture
Reflecting the final era of royal opulence before the upheaval of the French Revolution, antique Louis XVI furniture features more angular shapes than the Rococo curves of the Louis XV style, harkening back to the imposing grandeur of Louis XIV.
Dating between 1750 and 1800, an era that overlapped with the last king of France whose reign was cut short by the guillotine, Louis XVI furniture, known as the goût grec, is emblematic of the neoclassical revision that French furniture underwent during the second half of the 18th century.
Authentic Louis XVI furniture characteristics include clean lines and carved details such as scrolls and acanthus flourishes that were inspired by ancient Greece and Rome. This was informed by a burgeoning interest in antiquity in the 18th century, owing to new archaeological excavations at sites including Pompeii and Herculaneum. It largely eclipsed the more East Asian–influenced ornamentation of Louis XV for something more geometric and symmetrical.
The Louis XVI style was defined by what was being created for the palatial rooms at Versailles and Fontainebleau, particularly for the queen, with cabinetmaker Jean-Henri Riesener being a favorite of Marie-Antoinette’s for his luxurious pieces accented with gilded bronze and marquetry. Furniture maker Jean-Baptiste-Claude Sené was also a major designer of the period, with his pieces for the royal residences adorned with giltwood and neoclassical touches like tapered columns for chair legs and laurel leaf carvings. Cabinetmaker Adam Weisweiler occasionally incorporated into his furniture porcelain panels produced by Sèvres, a popular manufacturer of European ceramics that served the crown with serveware, vases and other decorative objects.
Find a collection of antique Louis XVI seating, tables, cabinets and other furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024To identify Louis XVI chairs, first familiarize yourself with the characteristics of the design style by looking at images found on trusted online resources. Often, Louis XVI chairs rest on straight, column-like legs, and their frames show off intricate carvings such as scrollwork rosettes, fluting and ribbon twists. Typically, chairs from the era have recessed arms connected to the front of the seat via an elegant curve. Artisans of the period typically constructed chairs in mahogany, walnut or oak wood. If your chair has these features, it will likely be an original Louis XVI piece or a reproduction based on one. To tell antiques apart from contemporary chairs, consider their overall condition.
Due to their age, originals will likely show some signs of wear, and you may be able to spot visible tool marks or slight irregularities in the carvings due to their handcrafted origins. A chair that looks unused and is completely uniform with no tool marks is less likely to be an original. When in doubt, check with a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer.
On 1stDibs, find a selection of Louis XVI chairs.
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