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.
Vintage King of Spades Porcelain Coaster Dish 1960s by Gloria Bavaria Germany
By Limoges
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage King of Spades Porcelain Coaster Dish 1960s by Gloria Bavaria Germany. This porcelain plate coaster is perfect for any collector or love...
Porcelain
Fischer Budapest Majolica Jardinière Centerpiece Hungarian Art Pottery 19th C
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Fischer Budapest Majolica Jardinière Centerpiece Hungarian Art Pottery Mid-19th Century An exceptional 19th-century Hungarian majolica jardinière, produced by the celebrated Fische...
Ceramic
Porcelain Château d’Artigny Vide-Poche, Blue & Gilt, France, circa 1960
By Limoges
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Limoges Porcelain Château d’Artigny Vide-Poche, Blue & Gilt, France, Mid 20th Century A rare and elegant Limoges porcelain trinket dish created for the prestigious Château d'Arti...
Porcelain
Small French Bronze Mortar and Pestle with Fleur De Lys and Crown, Circa 1700
Located in Dallas, TX
This small bronze mortar and pestle are from France, circa 1700. The circular opening has several layers of molding, with the bottom three interrupted by a pair of open crowns on opp...
Bronze
Black Marble Mortar Graved Gp 18th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb 18th-century black marble mortar with its pestle. The beautiful marble has a superb patina and is engraved "GP" underneath. This mortar is quite rare as it is sculpted and inc...
Marble
$600Sale Price|20% Off
Antique French Brass Cachepot, Louis XIV Style, 30 cm Diameter, 1700s
Located in London, GB
Antique three-legged French brass cachepot (circa 1700s). This piece has a fascinating connection with historical figures. The crest on the side is a version of one belonging to the ...
Brass
Set of 4 Bavaria Germany Porcelain Dishes Coasters
By Mitterteich Bavaria Porcelain
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Set of 4 Bareuther Waldsassen Bavaria Germany, ceramic small dishes coasters. Dimensions: 3.5" Diameter. The Porcelain dishes are stamped Bavaria Germany they were produced in the 19...
Leather, Porcelain
Vintage Ashtrays Bavaria Germany Set of Two Hand-Painted Fine Porcelain
By Limoges, Cristalleries De Sevres
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Hand-Painted Square Porcelain Ashtrays Bavaria, Germany. Set of two Bavaria Germany fine porcelain ashtrays with 24 k gilt floral accent and rim. Vintage porcelain ashtrays with Frag...
Porcelain
Cobalt Blue Porcelain Basket Vase with 22K Gold Encrustation and Romantic Scene
By (After) Jean-Honoré Fragonard, Limoges
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Large Cobalt Blue Porcelain Basket Vase with 22K Gold Encrustation and Romantic Scene in Limoges Style Elevate your decor with this exquisite large vintage porcelain basket v...
Porcelain
Italian Baroque Period Solid Turned & Stamped Walnut Alms Dish, ca. 1700
Located in Atlanta, GA
of circular form with several molded levels and a smaller circular base, the walnut dish has great wear and patina and is stamped with different initials of the parishioner tasked to...
Walnut
$796
H 1.78 in W 7.68 in D 9.65 in
Modern German Porcelain Dish with Beetles by Sofina Porcelain Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
This completely handmade and hands-free painted porcelain dish is made by Sofina porcelain in Bavaria. Hand-painted with a large stag beetle and other beetles. Rimmed with a platinum...
Porcelain
Vintage Apothecary Mortar and Pestle by Coors
Located in San Diego, CA
Porcelain mortar and pestle. Great for cooks or as an accent piece. Heavy duty. By Coors USA.
Porcelain, Wood
Ventrella Bronze Centrepiece, Mid-Century Modern, Italy, 48cm Diameter
By Ventrella
Located in Naples, IT
Large round brass and bronze centrepiece series 'Labirinti', signed Ventrella GioiellIeri in Naples.
Bronze
Louis XVI French Barometer From 1700s
Located in Lejre, DK
A Louis XVI French barometer adorned with intricate carvings and original gilding, dating back to the late 1700s. This exquisite piece stands as a tes...
Wood
Chinese Celadon Footed Centerpiece, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Chinese Celadon footed centerpiece, 19th century.
$146
H 1.58 in W 7.88 in D 10.44 in
1960s vintage vide poche in brown-beige by Carstens Tönnieshof (Germany)
Located in Oostende, BE
1960s vintage vide poche in brown-beige by Carstens Tönnieshof (Germany)
Ceramic
Paul Milet Art Deco Ceramic Bowl, Sèvres, France, 27cm Diameter, 1930s
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
This elegant French Art Deco ceramic bowl by Paul Milet is a refined example of the sophisticated craftsmanship that established Sèvres as one of France’s most celebrated centers of ...
Ceramic
Oversized Mortar & Pestle in Claro Walnut and Ebony
Located in Calgary, AB
Hand turned mortar features beautifully figured California Claro walnut and Macassar Ebony. The hefty pestle is crafted entirely of Macassar along wit...
Ebony, Walnut
$438Sale Price|52% Off
H 4.73 in W 9.45 in D 9.45 in
19th Century French White Marble Mortar, Circa 1850
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful white marble mortar, France, 19th century. Weathered. H:12cm W:24cm D:24cm
Marble
French 18th-19th Century Small Marble Mortar
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful small marble mortar France, circa 1750-1850 Weathered.
Marble
Antique Chinese Chiseled Marble Kitchen Mortar, Early 20th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand-carved from a single block of marble, this small stone vessel is an antique Chinese mortar once used to grind herbs and spices in a kitchen or apothecary. The chiseled exterior ...
Marble
$345
H 2.88 in Dm 7.29 in
Vintage Italian Pottery Dish or Bowl in the style of Marcello Fantoni, 1960s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Unusual Italian ceramic dish with a palet of diffrent colored hand applied glazes. Anonymous designer or maker, circa 1960 in the style of Marcello ...
Pottery
Hand-Painted Vintage Limoges France Round Fine Porcelain Ashtray
By Limoges
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage limoges France fine porcelain round ashtray green and gold. Elegant fine porcelain ashtray hand painted scene with lovers in a garden, ...
Porcelain
Sold
H 6.7 in W 8.67 in D 7.09 in
19th Century French Sèvres Porcelain Ormolu-Mounted Center Bowl, circa 1880
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A 19th century French sèvres blue fire glazed porcelain ormolu-mounted center bowl Applied with two Dolphins simulating handles Signed underneath, circa 1880.
Ormolu
Late 17th Century French Louis XIV Brass Cauldron with Fleur de Lys and Crest
Located in Dallas, TX
This period antique cauldron with original removable lid was created during the reign of King Louis XIV circa 1690, crafted of brass, the round dish f...
Brass
Sold
H 1.7 in W 12.33 in D 6.89 in
Antique French Silver Louis XIV Écuelle / Bowl / Porringer c. 1705 18th Century
By Rene Briceau
Located in London, GB
A magnificent Antique French Louis XIV Silver Écuelle Bowl or two handled Porringer. The Écuelle has two impressive handles with a fluted and scrolled pattern. The Écuelle has a cres...
Silver
Elegant Pair of Early 20th Century French Gilt Bronze and Crystal Compotes
Located in New York, NY
This gorgeous pair of crystal compotes are fitted with gilded bronze mounts neoclassical in form with stylized acanthus detailing.The crystal bowl features a diamond cross hatched de...