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Louis XVI Architectural Elements

LOUIS XVI STYLE

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.

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Style: Louis XVI
Period: Early 1900s
French 19th-20th Century Louis XVI Style Veined Grey Marble Fireplace Mantel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine French 19th-20th century Louis XVI style veined grey and white marble fireplace mantel surround, surmounted with a pair of cylindrical marble columns and an edged frieze, Pari...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Louis XVI Architectural Elements

Materials

Marble

Long Giltwood Turned Rope Giltwood Dentil Fragment
Located in Nashville, TN
Just shy of 5 foot, this carved wood room dentil fragment is matte gilt and water gilt. Probably salvaged from a paneled room boiserie in very good physical condition. Presents very ...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Louis XVI Architectural Elements

Materials

Giltwood

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Pair of Large Gio Ponti Cherrywood Boiserie Panels from Hotel Royal, Naples 1955
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Louis Xvi architectural elements for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Louis XVI architectural elements for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage architectural elements created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements, decorative objects, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with stone, marble and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Louis XVI architectural elements made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Belgium pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for architectural elements differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $410 and tops out at $500,000 while the average work can sell for $14,215.

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