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.
Louis XVI Lyre Back Slipper Chairs, Fortuny Fabric, France, Circa 1780
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Louis XVI Period Lyre back slipper chairs upholstered in Fortuny fabric. Very good and sturdy condition.
Wood
Newly Reupholstered Fortuny Yellow Silk Slipper Chair
Located in Locust Valley, NY
Elevate your space with this elegant Louis XVI-style slipper chair, newly reupholstered in luxurious yellow damask silk Fortuny fabric. The chair features a gracefully arched, button...
Fabric
Antique French Slipper Chair, Upholstered, Vintage, Good Condition
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique 19th century French Louis XVI style slipper / child's chair. Hand carved, painted and gilded frame. Rich blue velvet upholstery. A touch of French elegance. A rare and specia...
Velvet, Wood
French Pair of Louis XVI Style Slipper Medallion Chairs
Located in Montreal, Quebec
These French Slipper Medallion chairs are a rare find. In France, they are called "chauffeuses," which translates to fireside chairs. They were created to sit comfortably by the fire...
Wood, Upholstery, Damask
Bergere Louis XVI Armchair Seating by Testolini Freres in Carved Walnut
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Three Louis XVI-style bergere chairs by TESTOLINI FRERES, Venice, from the late 19th/early 20th century, in hand-carved walnut with sprung seats. Polished with shellac and wax. ABOU...
Nutwood
$380Sale Price / set|52% Off
H 40 in W 21 in D 28 in
Vintage Regency Slipper Chairs, Ebonized Wood, Upholstered, 1960s
Located in Trenton, NJ
This stunning pair of high back regency modern slipper chairs feature ornate ebonized wooden frames with gilt detail and brass studded trim. The comfortably padded upholstered seats make this an excellent set of occasional chairs...
Upholstery, Wood
Needlepoint Upholstered Slipper Chair
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Of typical form, raised on legs ending in casters.
Wood, Fabric
$5,400 / set
H 31 in W 21 in D 28 in
Pair of Napoleon III Slipper Chairs, 1830s, France, Newly Reupholstered Fabric
Located in New York, NY
We love the elegant simplicity of this pair of antique Napoleon III slipper chairs, discovered in the South of France and newly upholstered LaRue Stripe fabric in midnight. With high...
Upholstery
Edward Ferrell Button-Tufted Linen Upholstered & Slipper Chair
Located in Astoria, NY
Edward Ferrell Button-Tufted Linen Upholstered Slipper Chair, with gingham plaid pattern in green and pink and gathered skirt, "Edward Ferrell" label to underside. 35" H x 26"...
Upholstery
Pair Of Antique Provincial French Slipper Chairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine pair of Custom upholstered Slipper Chairs having a Blue and White Stripe fabric with nail head trim. The black and green painted frames with Cabriole legs, shaped Stretcher an...
Fabric, Wood
1940s French Tufted Back Slipper Chair
Located in Buchanan, NY
An exquisite 1940s French tufted slipper chair. This tufted high back slipper chair is a beautiful piece of French furniture from the 20th century. Upholstered in a light peach satin...
Upholstery
$2,220
H 31.89 in W 25.2 in D 28.35 in
1940s, Danish Slipper Chair Newly Upholstered in Botanical Fabric
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Beautiful and elegant Danish slipper chair dating from the 1940s, showcasing the refined craftsmanship and organic design language characteristic of mid-century Scandinavian furnitur...
Linen, Beech
19th Century French Slipper Chair, Ready to Upholster
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant 19th century French slipper chair featuring a low-profile silhouette and refined proportions. The frame exhibits the graceful lines and craftsmanship associated with quality ...
Wood
On Hold|$9,500 / set
H 29 in W 26 in D 27 in
Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Collection
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Stylish and elegant slipper chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar ca' 1950's. Upholstered in Fret custom Italian silk velvet, luxurious to the touch, (samples available). Chocolate bra...
Mahogany
$4,400 / set
H 36.75 in W 27 in D 22 in
Luxurious Pair of French Louis XVI Carved Walnut Armchairs Bergere Chairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Elegant pair of 19th century French Louis XVI fauteuils featuring finely carved walnut frames with oval backs, fluted tapered legs, and carved rosettes accented by delicate floral cr...
Upholstery, Walnut
Louis XVI Style Bergère Armchair, Carved Wood, Upholstered, 1920s
Located in Vero Beach, FL
French Louis XVI Style Bergère Armchair. French Bergere armchair with dark wood frame, rounded back and reeded legs is made circa 1920s. Carved features include scrolled arms and fl...
Upholstery, Wood
Late French Victorian Carved Walnut Prie Dieu Chair
Located in New Orleans, LA
This is an antique prie dieu slipper chair, later 19th century, in hand carved walnut and a light coral colored upholstery. The highly detailed carve...
Walnut
Pair of Mid-20th Century Louis XVI Style Slipper Chairs
Located in Charlottesville, VA
A pair of mid-20th century Louis XVI style slipper chairs with painted frames and carved detailing along the seat rails and legs. Each chair is upholstered in a cotton and linen fabr...
Fabric, Wood, Paint
Sold
H 34 in W 24 in D 26 in
Antique French Country Louis XVI Style Walnut Boudoir Slipper Lounge Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Country Louis XVI Style Carved Walnut Boudoir Slipper Lounge Chair with Floral Print Upholstery. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 34" H x 24" W x 26" D x 16" Se...
Fabric, Walnut
Antique French Louis XVI Upholstered Slipper Chair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This a charming French antique upholstered slipper chair in the Louis XVI style, C 1900-1920. The front leg are fluted and end in a ball, they still have the original paint. The back...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 35.25 in W 19.5 in D 19 in
Antique French Louis XVI Style Distress Painted Boudoir Slipper Low Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Louis XVI Style Distress Painted Boudoir Slipper Low Chair attributed to Maison Jansen. Item featured is a low sleek form, solid wood frame, shapely oval back, loose d...
Down, Feathers
Antique Lyre Back French Slipper Chair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Charming antique French lyre back slipper chair. It has a painted frame and newly upholstered suede seat. Very good condition with original painted frame.
Suede, Wood, Paint
Sold
H 36 in W 20 in D 18 in
Antique French Louis XVI Gilt Neoclassical Plaid Side Accent Vanity Chair
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique French Louis XVI vanity chair featuring Neoclassical styling with carved ribbon crest, beaded and foliate accents, and serpentine legs with ca...
Upholstery, Giltwood
18th Century French Louis XVI Period Boudoir Slipper Chair
Located in Forney, TX
A period Louis XVI (1772-1792) French boudoir fireside chair, characterized by elegance, lightness and simplicity of form, and reflecting the final era of royal opulence before the upheaval of the French Revolution, this beautiful petite antique low chair...
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Sold
H 35 in W 32 in D 17 in
Rare Pair of Maison Jansen Style Recamier-Form benches or Footstools Circa 1940
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a very unique and beautiful pair of stools or benches shaped like mini chaises or recamiers. The chaises are in original condition and will shwo so...
Walnut
Antique French Louis XV Style Painted Chauffeuse or Slipper Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Stunning French transitional Louis XV-XVI style painted Chauffeuse, slipper chair or vanity chair. This beautiful and comfortable chair, stool or bench has been professionally upholstered in high quality lilac colored velvet with brass nailhead detail. The perfect vanity chair, dressing room chair, closet chair...
Velvet, Wood
Pair of Antique Louis XVI Style Slipper Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of French Louis XVI style antique slipper chairs.
Wood
Sold
H 28 in W 19.5 in D 15.5 in
Swedish Louis XVI Style Boudoir Chair or Slipper Chair, 19th-20th Century
Located in Stamford, CT
A Swedish Louis XVI style boudoir chair or slipper chair, 19th-20th century.
Wood
Pair of Louis XVI Style Vintage Slipper Chairs
Located in Locust Valley, NY
A pair of Louis XVI style vintage slipper chairs with oval tufted back and loose seat cushion in colorful Clarence house fabric. Fluted back and ...
Fabric