Skip to main content

Louis XV Clocks

LOUIS XV STYLE

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.

to
20
183
53
106
24
13
6
4
4
1
2
2
1
455
374
369
285
264
258
213
167
128
100
69
51
33
31
21
18
10
165
125
52
46
32
90
82
174
159
7
2
2
Height
to
Width
to
183
183
183
3
3
2
2
2
Style: Louis XV
Pair of Cartel and Barometer in Bronze Style Louis XV
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine pair of bronze cartel and barometer in louis XV style the both case is exuberantly embellishedwith scrolling work of the louis XV style,the both faces are in enamel.
Category

Early 1900s Antique Louis XV Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Louis XV Ormolu Cartel Clock Approximately 1745
By Henri-Charles Balthazar
Located in SAINT-JEAN-CAP-FERRAT, FR
ITEM: A LOUIS XV ORMOLU CARTEL CLOCK AUTHOR: CHARLES BALTHAZAR PERIOD: APPROXIMATELY 1745 Dimensions: 40 ¼ in. (102.3 cm.) high, 23 in. (58.5 cm.) wide The circular white enamel dia...
Category

Mid-18th Century French Antique Louis XV Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Pendulum Au Rhinoceros De Style Louis XV Xixeme Siecle
Located in SAINT-JEAN-CAP-FERRAT, FR
Louis xv style rhinoceros clock of the 19th century The rhinoceros is surmounted by a box containing the clock, the movement engraved "Martin/ AParis"...
Category

19th Century Antique Louis XV Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Louis Xv clocks for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Louis XV clocks for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage clocks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Louis XV clocks made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original clocks, popular names associated with this style include Samuel Marti, Tiffany & Co., Japy Frères, and Raingo Frères. 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 clocks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $692 and tops out at $124,500 while the average work can sell for $9,775.

Recently Viewed

View All