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.
Very large Louis XV style Casket in rosewood, gilt bronze and porcelain
Located in Paris, FR
A large Louis XV style rosewood veneered casket with gilt bronze mountings. The box has a gilt rosewood veneer on all sides and is mounted in chevrons. The corners are underlined by ...
Bronze
Bruguier Tortoiseshell Swiss Fusée Singing Bird Box
Located in New Orleans, LA
This extremely rare, early Swiss automaton singing bird box by the famed Charles Bruguier is housed in a case enveloped in luxurious tortoiseshell. Ev...
Gold
19th Century French Louis XV Style Bronze Box.
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century French Louis XV Style Bronze Box. This stunning antique French bronze box with a hinged lid, decorated with cupids surrounded with Sèvres-style porcelain floral and figurative plaques...
Bronze
Onyx, Champlevé and Gilt Bronze Jewelry Box, Louis XV Style, France, circa 1890
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Onyx, champlevé and gilt bronze jewelry box. Louis XV style, France, circa 1890.
Onyx, Bronze
Antique French Bronze Ormolu Interior Lined Casket With Wedgewood Inserts
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 5 in W: 8 3/4 in D: 3 1/2 in This beautiful antique 19th century bronze ormolu interior fitted jewelry casket with Wedgewood plaque inserts is made of the highest qu...
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th century Louis XV st. Ormolu and Tortoiseshell box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A high quality and most elegant French 19th century Louis XV st. Ormolu and Tortoiseshell box. This truly stunning rectangular box is raised on four scrolling Ormolu acanthus leaf le...
Ormolu
Antique French Pewter Decorative Louis XV Style Stamp Box Case Etains D’Art
Located in Greven, DE
Antique French Pewter Decorative Louis XV Style Stamp Box Case Etains D’Art French Pewter Late 19th Century Dimensions: H x W x D: 3cm x 8cm x 5cm Crafted in the late 19th cen...
Pewter
Composition of red tortoiseshell gold piqué-work box, 18th century
Located in Paris, FR
Circular box in composition of red tortoiseshell powder called "Indian red". Inlays of nets in the form of waves of different shades of gold (rose gold and white) run across the lid...
Gold
Miniature Provençale Louis XV Period 1725 Apprentice Commode with Lift Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Provençale Louis XV period miniature apprentice commode from the early 18th century, with lift top and cabriole legs. Born in Provence during the reign of King Louis XV, thi...
Bronze
Louis XV Style French Farinerio Flour Box with Carved Floral Décor
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 19th-century French Louis XV-style walnut farinerio flour box exemplifies the perfect union of form and function. Crafted from warm-toned walnut, the box features intricately ca...
Walnut
Antique French Louis XV Style Kingwood Marquetry Signed Bibus
By Paul Sormani
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning, rare fine quality French gilt bronze mounted Kingwood marquetry bibus (miniature bibliothèque). In the manner of/possibly by celebrated ébéniste Maison Paul Sormani; the ...
Brass, Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Oval Bronze Box With Hand-painted Miniature – Signed "p. Brin"
Located in Bilzen, BE
Offered for sale is an exquisite antique French bronze jewelry or trinket box, featuring an elaborate pierced Rococo-style design and a finely hand-painted miniature pastoral scene, ...
Bronze
$1,512Sale Price|20% Off
Cherry wood and native wood box from the 18th century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very large slurry box with parts in native wood veneer, marquetry nets and geometric decorations in marquetry on the top. The box rests on four arched feet in the Louis XV style. Thi...
Wood
Large Old Paris Porcelain Bombé Shaped White Glazed Box-Hinged and Footed
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Old Paris Porcelain box with a white glaze in the form of a bombé commode. The top panel is of a nude woman with two dogs. The front panel ...
Metal
19th Century French Louis XV Carved Walnut Panetière Cabinet from Provence
Located in Dallas, TX
A superb example of provincial craftsmanship, this richly carved walnut panetière was crafted in Provence circa 1830. The hanging bread cabinet features an arched crest topped with t...
Walnut
$2,916Sale Price|35% Off
18th Century Louis XV Painted Silver Leaf Display Case Tabernacolo, circa 1770
Located in Encinitas, CA
An elegantly detailed, late 18th century Louis XV period wooden display case, golden yellow lacquer with silver leaf accents. As a reliquary or tabernacolo, the box may have been used to display or store religious artifacts...
Silver Leaf
19th century French Louis XV Style Walnut Provençale Salt Box, 1890s
Located in LEGNY, FR
Very nice Louis XV style Provençal walnut salt box dating from the end of the 19th century. Top tray that lifts and small drawer at the bottom. Artisanal work. Good condition.
Walnut
Lacquered Chinoiserie Wig Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautifully decorated hand carved, painted and lacquered, hinged wig box with chinoiserie theme gilding and paint design. Chinese red painted interior. Bras...
Brass
Hand Painted Floral Wig Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful hand painted, domed shape wig box with brass corners and incised brass surround around lock. Painted interior.
Brass
$160
H 2.88 in W 2.75 in D 2.38 in
Antique Ormolu Jewelry Box French Casket Bevelled Glass Paris Village Suisse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Antique French Églomisé Casket - Souvenir from France, circa 1900 A charming French antique casket from circa 1900 with gilt brass fittings and clear glass panels. The hinged lid fe...
Crystal, Ormolu
$2,450
H 3.25 in W 9 in D 4.5 in
Low Elongated 19th Century English Tortoiseshell Box with Bone Ball Feet
Located in Atlanta, GA
Low Elongated 19th Century English Tortoiseshell Box with Bone Ball Feet
Tortoise Shell
$525Sale Price|24% Off
H 4.25 in W 9.5 in D 5.25 in
Gilt Heavy Bronze Repousse Rectangular Jewelry/Decorative Box
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a gilt bronze repousse rectangular jewelry/decorative box. It features in the top of the lid a scene of Don Quixote riding his horse at the sam...
Bronze
$280
H 2.5 in W 2.63 in D 2.5 in
Antique Ormolu Jewelry Box Souvenir Casket Bevelled Glass Grand Tour France 1900
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Antique French Églomisé Casket - Souvenir from Verdun, France, circa 1900 A charming French antique casket from circa 1900 with gilt brass fittings and clear glass panels. The hinge...
Crystal, Ormolu
Outstanding Large 19th Century Bronze & Porcelain Jewelry Casket Box
By Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM)
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Outstanding Large 19th Century Bronze & Porcelain Jewelry Casket Box Dimensions : 14" Tall X 16" Wide X 11" Deep This gorgeous Antique jewelry ...
Ormolu
Antique Large Crystal Box or Casket with Footed Bronze Mounting
Located in Toronto, ON
This antique large crystal and bronze box makes a statement in any space. A very contemporary design for the early 1900s production, this piece transitions from modern to Classic int...
Crystal, Bronze
$825
H 4.25 in W 5.5 in D 4 in
Wonderful French Ormolu Mounted Cut Crystal Bronze Baccarat Casket Jewelry Box
By Baccarat
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French Ormolu Mounted Cut / Faceted Crystal & Bronze Jewelry Casket In The Style And Manner Of Baccarat Unfortunately The Back Lid Does Have A Chip In The Middle
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
$7,926Sale Price|20% Off
H 4.75 in W 11 in D 3.88 in
Fine Antique French Malachite and Bronze Jewelry Box, c.1890
Located in Bath, GB
A truly fabulous late nineteenth century jewelry box made from a fine example of malachite, the first image is the most true colour in person. The Malachite during this era was ag...
Malachite, Bronze
19th Century French Enameled Porcelain Box
Located in Land O' Lakes, FL
A salmon colored enamel box with patina bronze surround and latch and topped with a gold laurel wreath.
Bronze, Enamel
$2,850
H 5.25 in W 5.25 in D 4 in
Wonderful French Faceted Cut Crystal Bronze Ormolu-Mounted Casket Jewelry Box
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French faceted cut crystal casket with engraved scroll bronze ormolu mountings with wreath draped keyhole. Measures: 5.25&quo...
Crystal, Bronze
$880 / set
H 4.75 in Dm 5 in
French Antique Etched and Faceted Crystal Lidded Boxes with Bronze Ormolu, Pair
Located in Doylestown, PA
Pair of French antique etched and faceted cut crystal lidded boxes with ormolu mounts, c. early 20th century. Gorgeous gilt bronze mounted boxes with intricately etched crystal of f...
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
Renaissance Revival Damacened and Bronze Casket
Located in Essex, MA
With a domed hinged lid and bail handle over a conforming case decorated overall with figures in Renaissance dress. Bun feet. Provenance; David and P...
Bronze
Antique French Country Salt Box Spice Cabinet Louis XV Carved Oak c1890
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique French Country Salt Box Spice Cabinet Louis XV Carved Oak c1890. Direct from France, a beautifully hand carved French salt box or spice cabine...
Oak
Antique Viennese Enameled Bronze Carrige Form Music Box
Located in New York, NY
Antique (late 19th century) Viennese Austrian music box in the form of a luxurious carriage in the French Louis XV Rococo style, with numerous finel...
Bronze, Enamel
Louis XV Style French Farinerio Flour Box with Carved Floral Décor
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 19th-century French Louis XV-style walnut farinerio flour box embodies both functional ingenuity and decorative charm. Intricately carved floral motifs adorn the front panel, re...
Walnut
Tooled Leather Document Box, French 18th Century
Located in Doylestown, PA
A fine Louis XV period document box in hand-tooled leather, with gilt brass hardware and retaining its original key. The divided interior is lined in green silk brocade.
Leather
An 18th Century Meissen Porcelain Box, Louis XV Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
An 18th century Meissen porcelain box, Louis XV period. An 18th century Meissen porcelain box, Louis XV period, gilt brass mounting. H: 14cm, W: 9cm, D: 9cm
Brass
Sold
H 4.25 in W 8 in D 6.5 in
Mid-Century French Hand-Painted Ceramic Jewelry Bombe Box from Rouen Normandy
Located in Dallas, TX
Keep your valuable in this elegant, porcelain jewelry. Crafted in Normandy, France, circa 1950, the antique box is rectangular in shape with scalloped edges and dressed with a top h...
Ceramic, Porcelain
Louis XV Multicolored Gold Étui
Located in New Orleans, LA
This incredible Louis XV-era étui is a work of skillful artistry. Crafted entirely of rose, green white and yellow gold, this stunning vessel bears an exceptionally intricate, classi...
Gold
Meissen" Porcelain Box, circa 1750
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Meissen" porcelain box, circa 1750 Beautiful 18th century Meissen porcelain box, mounted in gilt bronze. Dimensions: H: 4cm, W: 8cm, D: 6.5cm.
Porcelain
Russian Carved bone table box - 18th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Russian Carved bone table box Carved bone table box North of Russia, 18th century 12,5 x 23,2 x 7 cm Rectangular box with a wooden core in bone veneer...
Bone, Wood
Sold
H 6.3 in W 10.6 in D 6.9 in
Stunning Late 1800s Walnut, Burl Walnut & Bronze Jewelry Box with a Great Patina
Located in Lisse, NL
Top quality, good size and excellent condition antique box for the connoisseurs. Over the years we have had the pleasure of owning and selling some truly beautiful antique boxes...
Brass, Bronze
Highly Carved Antique French Oak Jewelry Box, Circa 1880
Located in Dallas, TX
This beautifully carved oak box is perfect for storing small valuables and jewelry. Crafted in France in the latter half of the 1800s, this decorative box stands on acanthus carved...
Textile, Velvet, Oak
18th Century French Walnut and Oak Salt Box Trunk
Located in Dallas, TX
A unique item known as a boite à sel, this walnut and oak salt box trunk was hand-carved in France in the 1700’s. Containers like this have been used since before the Middle Ages to store salt in homes. Smaller versions were typically hung on the wall and could be accessed via the flip-top lid (ours was constructed with tongue and groove joints on quarter round molding). Salt was incredibly important as it was the only way to preserve fish and meat for long periods of time. Larger offerings, such as our period Louis XV piece, would often double as stools that people could place in front of a warm fire. Two cabriole legs with pad feet in the front and two block feet in the back provide ample lift to keep the contents of the box off the floor. All visible sides have been carved with recessed panels, with the two sides being rectangular, while the front façade has a sinuous top that mirrors the highly shaped apron below. Our versatile 18th century French salt box...
Oak, Walnut