The style of 18th-century French furniture was guided by the court. When Louis XV, who reigned from 1715–74, focused royal life on the smaller salons of Versailles rather than its grand chambers, it transformed the aesthetics away from the imposing and angular furniture that characterized the style of Louis XIV. A broader focus on comfort and more delicate forms define antique Louis XV furniture, with nature-inspired carvings, wood inlays, curved cabriole legs, asymmetrical shapes and rounded oval seat backs. The furnishings changed throughout the king’s life, as he ascended to the throne as a child and then grew to establish his own tastes.
Pieces like the bergère, an upholstered armchair with a wide cushion that fit the flowing dresses in fashion at the time, reflected this more informal court. Introduced at the start of Louis XV’s reign, bergère chairs in this style were deeper and broader than other chairs of the period.
Louis XV tapestries and carpets tended to be floral and colorful, and design elements were borrowed from Asia. Dutch-born cabinetmaker Bernard van Risenburgh brought lacquer techniques influenced by Japan and China into his luxuriously made furniture. Along with its fine details, the furniture of the era also featured new innovations including mechanical devices. Jean François Oeben, a royal cabinetmaker, created such intricate pieces as a mechanical table for Madame de Pompadour, Louis XV’s mistress. It involved a sliding top and a writing surface that extended from its marquetry panels.
During the later years of Louis XV’s reign, there was a shift from the ostentatious rocaille style, part of the exuberantly decorative Rococo movement in Europe for which designers such as Nicolas Pineau and Juste-Aurèle Meissonier are known. The style under Louis XVI would return to boxier forms, but with a neoclassical touch inspired by the ancient world.
Find antique Louis XV bedroom furniture, seating, tables and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
French Louis XV Rococo Ormolu Tureen Bowl, Opulent Design, 1980
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous French Louis XV style ormolu tureen in the rococo style Very opulent piece, just crying out to be the centrepiece to any interiors scheme Very visceral piece with all the ro...
Ormolu
$1,072Sale Price|54% Off
Louis XV Bronze Mounted Chinese Export Centerpiece Bowl or Vase
Located in Plainview, NY
An exquisite Louis XV style bronze mounted Chinese Export centerpiece bowl. The porcelain bowl is finely hand painted with exotic birds, dragon fruits and plants. The bowl features t...
Bronze
19th C. Sevres Porcelain Gilt Bronze Centerpiece Bowl, Signed and Numbered
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Germantown, MD
A 19th Century Sevres Porcelain Gilt Bronze Centerpiece Bowl on stand, Signed and Numbered 113 of 327 Measures 10" in width, 10" in depth and 9" in height with stand. 4" without stan...
Porcelain, Paint
Antique Louis XV Style White Floral Meissen Cross Sword Porcelain Centerpiece
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 7 in W: 17 1/4 in D: 11 in This antique German floral porcelain footed centerpiece is perfect for you and your dining room table! If you look at the photos provide...
Porcelain
Painted Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Bowl - XIXᵉ Century, Louis XV Style.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Beautiful 19th-century cup, Louis XV style, Napoleon III period in painted porcelain and gilt bronze. H: 32cm - W: 50cm - D: 28cm Contact us before ordering to confirm product avai...
Bronze
18th Century Rose Medallion Dish With Footed French Louis XV Bronze Base
Located in Los Angeles, CA
18th Century Rose Medallion Dish with footed French Louis XV Bronze Base. Sourced from our Paris Offices at Chateau de Vitray. Rose Medallion was very fashionable for French 18th Cen...
Bronze
Large Pedestal Bowl in Porcelain and Gilt Bronze, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Substantial porcelain pedestal bowl embellished with white medallions set on a sky blue background. On one side of the bowl, the medallion is decorated with a pastoral scene depictin...
Bronze
Late 18th Century Limoges Enamel Salt Bowl, Louis XV Style, France
By Limoges
Located in Basildon, GB
Late 18th Century Small Limoges Enamel Salt Bowl, decorated with a pink ground with a yellow trellis pattern and hand-painted floral motifs (roses, blue flowers, green leaves), a met...
Enamel
pair of French 19th century Louis XV st. Ormolu and Portoro marble centerpieces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most decorative pair of French 19th century Louis XV st. Ormolu and Portoro marble centerpieces. Each wonderful "vide poche" dish is raised on a circular pierced Ormol...
Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XV Style Ormolu and Porcelain Tureen, Signed Sèvres
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite French 19th century Louis XV st. royal cobalt blue porcelain and ormolu tureen signed Sèvres. The tureen is raised by a rich scrolled ormolu support with rich large acan...
Ormolu
$1,016Sale Price|20% Off
Bronze Mounted Castellan Porcelain Centerpiece
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a beautiful Castellan style centerpiece with bronze handles. The handles and the rim are pierced. The cobalt blue bowl is porcelain. The centerpiece sits on a sculpted bronze...
Bronze
18th Century Turned Oak Bowl from France
Located in High Point, NC
18th century Holm oak bowl from France. The bowl is beautifully hand turned and has a rich color and patina and shows honest signs of use. This type of bowl may have been used in ...
Oak
19th Century Japanese Imari Porcelain Bowl on Louis XV Gilt Bronze Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
Elevate a console or center table with this refined antique Imari bowl mounted on an ornate gilt bronze stand, crafted in Japan and France circa 186...
Bronze
Large Antique Shell Metal Dish or Platter
Located in Sheffield, MA
Unusual rustic French antique metal shell plate is made of metal with leaded color coating, a wonderful aged patina. The piece was possibly used in a commercial setting at a coach st...
Metal
French Louis XV Silver Plate Cupid Compote
By Christofle
Located in Queens, NY
French Louis XV-style (19th Century) silver plate cupid base compote with scalloped crystal bowl (CHRISTOFLE & CIE)
Crystal, Silver Plate
$35,000 / set
Pair of French Louis XV Bronze Dore 3-Tier Compotes
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Louis XV-style (19th Century) bronze dore compotes with 3 tier scalloped white opaline bowls on triangular base with griffins and cupids (PRICED AS Pair)
Bronze
$1,800Sale Price|37% Off
French 18th Century Silver “Rafraîchissoir” or “Verrière”, circa 1750-1760
Located in Montreal, Quebec
French 18th century silver “Rafraîchissoir” or “Verrière”, circa 1750-1760 Dimensions: 12.75" W x 8" D x 4" H.
Silver
19th Century Japanese Imari Porcelain Bowl on French Louis XV Ormolu Base
Located in Dallas, TX
Bring an elegant touch of East–West artistry to your decor with this refined antique vide poche. Crafted in Japan circa 1860, the octagonal Imari porcelain bowl rests on a finely cas...
Bronze
Large Sevres Style Porcelain Charger in the Louis XV Style
Located in New York, NY
Our lovely porcelain charger in the Louis XV style from the late 19th century is distinguished by its large size, 18 3/4 inches (47.6 cm) across. It depicts members of the court e...
Porcelain
$895
H 2.5 in W 10.25 in D 8.63 in
Carl Sorensen Art Deco Verdigris Bronze Footed Centerpiece Bowl or Fruit Bowl
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period verdigris bronze footed centerpiece bowl, tazza, or fruit bowl By Carl Sorensen USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 10.25"W x 8.63"D x 2...
Bronze
Meissen Porcelain Deep Cabinet Plate with Handles
Located in Vilnius, LT
Meissen Porcelain deep cabinet plate with handles. This piece is hand painted in cobalt blue with floral motive in the center and richly decorated gold ...
Porcelain
Lalique Crystal Oval Centerpiece Bowl, Orchid Design, France, 1980s
By Lalique
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Beautiful rare Lalique centerpiece adorned with orchids on each end. This oval shaped centerpiece bowl has understated elegance.
Crystal
$1,250
H 6 in Dm 8.5 in
Wonderful French Gilt Bronze Cut Crystal Ormolu Pedestal Bowl Baccarat Compote
By Baccarat
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French gilt bronze and cut crystal ormolu-mounted pedestal bowl in the manner of Baccarat. The almost identical one is also available AC851.
Crystal, Bronze
$2,400
H 9.65 in Dm 11.82 in
Late 19th Century Napoleon III Empire Gilt Bronze Putti and Marble Centerpiece
Located in Berlin, DE
Late 19th Century French Empire gilt bronze putti and marble centerpiece The centerpiece stands on a triangular, fluted base with arched feet; on th...
Marble, Bronze
$4,283
H 12.21 in W 16.54 in D 9.45 in
A Large Sèvres Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Bowl, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A large Sèvres porcelain and gilt bronze bowl, 19th century, Napoleon III period. A Sèvres porcelain and ormolu bowl, 19th century, Napoleon III period. Dimensions : H: 31cm, W: 42...
Bronze
$15,800
H 12 in Dm 13.25 in
Rare Neoclassical Meissen Porcelain Reticulated Centerpiece with Rams Heads
Located in New York, NY
A large, beautiful, and rare 19th century neoclassical reticulated Meissen centerpiece with open filigree, rams heads, flaming finial, and love bir...
Porcelain
$396Sale Price|20% Off
H 2 in W 10.5 in D 7.75 in
19th Century Meissen Floral Painted Reticulated Oval Basket
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th century Meissen floral painted reticulated oval basket, with gilt rim, pierced surround, hand painted with center rose bouquet, floral sprays, insi...
Porcelain
18th Century French Marble Mortar
Located in Chicago, IL
An 18th-century French carved marble mortar, rich with history and softened by centuries of use, its surface worn smooth with a patina that only 250 years of culinary tradition could...
Marble
$2,920Sale Price|20% Off
H 9 in W 13.77 in D 7 in
Rococó Porcelain Figural Cherub Jardinière or Centerpiece Bowl by Meissen
Located in Miami, FL
19th century Austrian porcelain centerpiece bowl or jardinière beautifully enameled in rich colors with floral sprays and gilt highlig...
Porcelain
$1,695
H 3 in W 12.75 in D 10.5 in
Louis Comfort Tiffany Furnaces Favrile Bronze Doré Footed Centerpiece Bowl
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period gilt bronze footed centerpiece bowl or tazza with enameled floral decoration By Louis Comfort Tiffany Furnaces Inc. (signed to the unders...
Bronze, Enamel
Antique Meissen Porcelain Quatrefoil Miniature Hand-Painted Dish 1920s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique Meissen Porcelain Quatrefoil Miniature Dish, Hand-Painted, ca. 1920 An exquisite Meissen porcelain miniature dish, dating to the early 20th century, beautifully hand-painted ...
Porcelain
Sold
H 7.88 in W 18.9 in D 10.24 in
Antique Centerpiece with Mirror "Surtout de Table" Louis XV Style France 900s
Located in Manzano, IT
Gorgeous and elegant centerpiece set consisting of two matching pieces: a finely crafted jardinière (planter) and its original mirrored base (plateau). The object is a classic examp...
Metal, Steel
Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Caviar Server Centerpiece
Located in Astoria, NY
Louis XV style gilt bronze figural caviar server centerpiece, Paris, late 19th century, the base stamped "B" several times. 19" H x 23" W x 17" D. Provenance: From a New York City Co...
Bronze, Ormolu
Sold
H 10.24 in W 10.63 in D 10.24 in
"Laughing Monkey" Zoomorphic Porcelain Figure Vide-poche, circa 1870
By J.J. Kändler, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Laughing Monkey" Zoomorphic Porcelain Figure Vide-poche, circa 1870 Rare and amusing white-glazed porcelain vide-poche depicting a teasing monkey holding a woman's hat. Ormolu-moun...
Ormolu
Sold
H 11.5 in W 18 in D 9.88 in
19th Century French Sevres Louis XV Style Porcelain Gilt Bronze Centerpiece Bowl
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful antique (late 19th century) French porcelain and ormolu bronze bowl in the Louis XV Sevres style with finely painted floral bouquets and cartouche depicting male musician s...
Bronze
Pair of Mid-19th Century French Carved Iron Shell-Form Stoups Vide-Poches
Located in Dallas, TX
These exquisite antique stoups from Southern France would make a lovely addition to any powder room to hold soaps or small hand towels. Carved in France circa 1860, each shell shaped...
Iron
Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze and Crystal Bowl, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Louis XV style gilt bronze and crystal bowl, Napoleon III period. A Napoleon III period gilt bronze and crystal bowl in the Louis XV style. h: 14cm, w: 44cm, d: 23.5cm
Crystal, Bronze
Early 19th Century Italian Carved Red Marble Shell Stoup
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand carved from Veronne Italy circa 1820, this antique shell form dish was originally at the entrance door of a private chapel; in its original placement, this stoup was inserted in...
Marble
Sold
H 9 in Dm 6.75 in
Pair of Late 19th Century French Marble and Bronze Vide-Poches Urns Tazza Dishes
Located in Dallas, TX
Catch loose change or other odds and ends with this pair of 19th century decorative tazza dishes. Crafted in France circa 1880, each compote sits on a square green marble base with r...
Marble, Bronze
19th century gilt bronze stoup with cupid signed Provost
Located in NICE, FR
Elegant gilded bronze bowl depicting a stoup surmounted by Cupid with his bow seated on the rim. Ideal as a trinket bowl or as a candy bowl 19th century Signed by Provost
Bronze
18th Century French Carved Variegated Marble Shell Church Stoup
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand carved in France circa 1750, this antique shell form dish was originally at the entrance door of a private chapel; in its original placement, this...
Marble
Sold
H 3.5 in Dm 6.75 in
18th C. Meissen Hausmaler Decorated Bowl with High Relief Multi-Colored Flowers
Located in New York, NY
An Incredible and Rare 18th Century Meissen Hausmaler Decorated Bowl with High Relief Multi-Colored Flowers. Hand-carved with encrusted and relief f...
Porcelain
Antique Dutch Brass Log Holder or Basket, Late 18th Century
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning Antique log holder or firewood basket. Striking Dutch design from the late 18th Century. Solid patinated brass with the original wrought...
Brass, Wrought Iron