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.
$38,950Sale Price / set|48% Off
French 19th Century Louis XIV Style Figural Ormolu Clock Garniture, Raingo Frers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and palatial French 19th century Louis XIV style figural ormolu three-piece clock and candelabra garniture suite, comprising of a gilt-bronze clock and a pair of ten-ligh...
Bronze
Pair of Italian Brevettato Brass Marble Candelabras
Located in New York, NY
Brevettato bronze and marble candelabras.
Marble, Bronze
Pair 19th Century French Gilt Bronze Candelabra After André Charles Boulle
Located in New York, NY
Pair of antique (19th century) French gilt bronze 8-light candelabra after the original 14th century model by André Charles Boulle (1642-1732) measuring 24.5 inches tall, 16 inches w...
Bronze
$5,400Sale Price|30% Off
Louis XIV Style Bouillotte Table Lamp in Fine Silver on Bronze mood light LA CA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Louis XIV Style Bouillotte Table Lamp in Fine Silver on Bronze mood light LA CA . A very high end, large Side table lamp in fine silver on bronze. This table lamp has a center pipe...
Silver Plate, Bronze, Tin
$1,400 / set
Pair of Louis XIV Brass Candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
Pair Louis XIV brass candlesticks. Pair Italian Louis XIV period bulbous form candlesticks with weighted base on paw feet. Italy, circa 1700. Dimensions: 4.5" diameter x 5.5" H.
Brass
Pair of Antique Louis XIV Styled Gilt Bronze Candlesticks with Stylized Flowers
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of antique candlesticks are unsigned, but presumed to have originated from France and date to approximately 1880 and done in a Louis XIV style. The candlesticks are compose...
Bronze
Pair of turned brass candlesticks, Italy, 17th-18th century
Located in Vicenza, IT
Pair of turned solid brass candlesticks, of Italian manufacture, dating from the late 17th to early 18th century. The two pieces are distinguished by a turned frame with alternating ...
Brass
Pair Of 19th Century Siena Marble & Ormolu Mounted Three Light Candelabra
Located in Dublin, IE
A beautiful pair of 19th century French Sienna Marble and ormolu candelabra, each with three out swept decorative leaf capped candleholders above a central tapering circular marble s...
Siena Marble, Ormolu
Pair 19th Century French Cherub candelabra
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality pair of French 19th Century gilded ormolu, patinated bronze and white marble, three branch candelabra. Each with a playful cherub holding the lights, mounted on white ...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of French 19th Century Louis XIV St. Ormolu Candelabras
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and most impressive pair of French 19th century Louis XIV st. ormolu candelabras. Each seven arm candelabra is raised by a triangular base with three delicate tapered flut...
Ormolu
Pair Of French 17th Century Louis XIV Period Ormolu And Rock Crystal Candelabras
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and extremely high quality pair of French 17th century Louis XIV period ormolu and rock crystal candelabras, circa 1680. Each eight arm girandole is raised by a circula...
Rock Crystal, Ormolu
Brass Low Bell Base Candlestick Spanish, circa 1680-1730
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Large brass low bell base candlestick, Spanish, circa 1680-1730 Measures: 24 cm high diameter base 16 cm. Free shipping.
Brass
French Pair of Ormolu Candelabra by Henry Dasson, Dated 1880
By Henry Dasson
Located in Newark, England
From our Decorative collection, we are pleased to offer this pair of French Louis XIV style ormolu candelabra by Henry Dasson, dated 1880. Each candelabrum is cast in gilt bronze (o...
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of 18th Century Silvered Red Copper Candlesticks from France
Located in Dallas, TX
At over three feet tall, this pair of silvered copper candlesticks would make impressive decorative accessories. Dating to the 1700s, these French candlesticks have a unique patinati...
Metal, Copper
Fine Pair of Louis XVI Style Ormolu Wall Lights, Not Electrified
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Fine Pair of Louis XVI Style Ormolu Wall Lights, Not Electrified France, circa 1900s This fine pair of Louis XVI-style ormolu wall lights is a stunning example of early 20th-century...
Ormolu
Pair Of 18th Century Gilt Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Bilzen, BE
Pair of gilded bronze candlesticks from the 18th century. Round, stepped base decorated with foliage and stylized shells, the stems are finely chiseled in a rocaille style. Normal we...
Bronze
Pair Huge 19th Century Philippe Mourey Ormolu Putti Candelabras, 1870s, France
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Impressive pair of 6-light French Empire torchères with winged putti made by Philippe Mourey (Paris 1840-1910) in 1870s. Each modeled, fine detailed or...
Griotte Marble, Metal, Ormolu
Pair of 18th Century French Patinated Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Dallas, TX
Cast in France during the 1700s, this pair of bronze candlesticks has a lovely patination, giving them a glossy brown color. The highly contoured and curved bases are mirrored by the...
Metal, Bronze
$2,300 / set
Pair of Louis XIV Candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Louis XIV candlesticks. Louis Quatorze heavy brass candlesticks in three parts, their smaller size indicative of their original use on...
Brass
18th Century French Louis XIV Bronze Candlesticks or Candleholders
Located in Houston, TX
18th century French Louis XIV Bronze candlesticks or candleholders. Beautifully detailed rare pair of French Louis XIV bronze candleholde...
Bronze
$1,480Sale Price|20% Off
Antique French Louis XIV Gilt Bronze Figural Cherub Candelabra Chandelier c1880
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique French Louis XIV style hanging candelabra (chandelier) offers gilt cast bronze construction with center column having cherub, grape form drop finial...
Bronze
$5,600Sale Price|30% Off
Pair 17th Century Candlesticks Candleholder Light in Brass Gift Object Antiques
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Pair 17th Century Candlesticks Candleholder Light in Brass Gift Object Antiques. A Very beautiful Simple pair circa 1600’s Louis XIV Period Ca...
Metal, Brass
Pair 19th Century French D'ore Bronze and Marble Candelabras
Located in New York, NY
Pair 19th century French D'ore bronze and marble candelabras. The candelabras weigh approximately 40 pounds each.
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Small Candlesticks in Bronze, 18th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
charming little pair of bronze candlesticks which were made in France during the 18th century. pair of candlesticks which is small in size whi...
Bronze
Pair of French 19th C. Hand Tooled Brass Candlesticks
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Pair of French 19th C. hand-tooled brass candlesticks. Size: 12" H x 5" diameter. Nice very heavy handcrafted and hammered with some designs. Great brass decorative art objects.
Brass
Near Pair of Louis XIV Wood & Metal Flower & Urn Form 9-Light Candelabra
Located in Milford, NH
A wonderful near pair of polychrome wood & metal flower and urn form 9-light candelabra on slightly different square bases, the upper floral portion in wrought iron and the urn porti...
Wrought Iron
Pair of Louis XIV Candlesticks in Pewter, 18th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant pair of candlesticks in pewter Louis XIV, 18th century Beautiful look and fine quality Beautiful pair of pewter candlestick with a height of 66cm France, 18th century. ...
Pewter
$1,998 / set
Pair Louis XIV Candelsticks
Located in New Orleans, LA
Add an air of regal opulence to your space with these Louis XIV Candlesticks, a stunning example of 17th-18th century French craftsmanship. Characterized by their intricate detailing...
Bronze
$3,000 / item
Pair of Louis XIV Period Pewter Candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
Exemplifies the Classical Baroque period with its spiral fluting detail and contrasting patina.
Pewter
Large French Louis XIV Chandelier in Brass, 18th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Imposing Louis XIV brass chandelier from France Beautiful look and superb quality decorated with angels and acanthus leaves. Large model Height excluding spade 1m02cm France 1, ...
Brass
18th Century French Louis XIV Polished Wrought Iron Four-Light Candelabra
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a mantel or a buffet with this elegant antique four-arm candelabra. Crafted in southern France circa 1780, the large forged piece stands on an octagonal base over a central turned stem, and features four scrolled arms decorated with acanthus leaves and dressed with circular bobeches. The Louis XIV candelabra...
Wrought Iron
Pair of Louis XVI Tin Candelsticks
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of Louis XVI tin candlesticks, dated 1795. Detachable light cuffs. Supported on large circular bases. Condition: There are slight signs of wear, gentle surface scratches and...
Tin
Fine Pair of Louis XIV Style Gilt Bronze Figural Candlesticks, circa 1860
By Etienne Le Hongre
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine pair of Louis XIV style gilt bronze figural candlesticks. French, circa 1860. A fine pair of Louis XIV style gilt bronze figural candlesticks, with stems cast as female...
Bronze
Louis XIV Style Gilt Bronze and Rock Crystal Sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
Louis XIV style gilt bronze and rock crystal sconce by Gherardo degli Albizzi. This seven lights sconce features a gilt bronze backplate and two branches of arms, respectively with f...
Rock Crystal, Crystal, Bronze
Pair of French 19th Century Louis XIV St. Ormolu Candelabras
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and high quality pair of French 19th century Louis XIV st. ormolu candelabras. Each five arm candelabra is raised on a square base with lovely cut corners and a richly cha...
Ormolu
Pair of 19th Century French Louis XIV St. Ormolu Candelabras
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very fine pair of 19th century French Louis XIV st. ormolu five arm candelabras. Each candelabra is raised on a square base with canted corners flanked by scrolling acanthus leaves...
Ormolu
Pair of French 19th Century Louis XIV St. Marble and Ormolu Candlesticks
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking pair of French 19th century Louis XIV st. black Belgian marble and ormolu candlesticks. Each candlestick is raised by a unique and most elegant black Belgian marble base w...
Belgian Black Marble, Ormolu