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.
$1,474Sale Price|20% Off
Boulle ta Table Clock in Wood and Brass from the Second Half of the 20th Century
Located in Milano, MI
Boulle Table Clock, with red background and brass inlays, brass dial with white enamel cartouches and black Roman numerals, crowned with rocailles and pendulum movement. Ø 31.5 cm ...
Brass
Clodion Signed Very Large and Heavy Bronze Clock, the Bronze is Gilded 19th Cent
Located in Madrid, ES
Very large and heavy bronze clock,the bronze is gilded and patinated. The work of the bronze i very fine quality. Signed:CLODION. 90 cm high and 50 kg aprox 19th century very go...
Bronze
Louis XIV Tortoiseshell Boulle Bracket Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
An Exceptional Louis XIV Boulle Bracket Clock. Nine inch twelve piece enamel cartouche dial with Roman numerals and original hands signed ‘Jean Mino...
Tortoise Shell
French 19th Century Louis XIV Style Ormolu Clock Stamped ‘DENIERE A PARIS”
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most impressive French 19th century Louis XIV st. ormolu clock stamped 'DENIERE A PARIS". The clock is raised by square tapered fluted feet with fine...
Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XIV St. Cartel Clock Signed F.Lesage Paris
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning French 19th century Louis XIV st. tortoiseshell, brass and ormolu Cartel Clock signed F.Lesage Paris. The beautiful clock is raised on its orig...
Brass, Ormolu
$4,226Sale Price|20% Off
French gilt bronze Louis XIV figured antique clock with library design
Located in Milano, IT
Imagine stepping back in time to the opulent 19th century, where a magnificent French clock in gilded bronze takes center stage, a breathtaking tribute to the Sun King himself, Louis...
Bronze
Important Cartel in Green Horn Veneer Gille L Aine 18th Century
By France"
Located in Madrid, ES
Important Cartel in green horn Veneer Gille L Aine 18th, gilded bronzes and brass inlays chiseled with foliage of flowers and natural patterns. The dial i...
Bronze
Large Gilded Bronze Clock with Louis XIV Figure, 18th Century
By France"
Located in Madrid, ES
Large gilded bronze clock with Louis XIV figure. Mechanism working with a pendulum and original key End 18th century beginning 19th century...
Bronze
Table Clock in Patinated and Gilded Bronze from the 18th Century
By France"
Located in Madrid, ES
Table clock in patinated and gilded bronze from the 18th century with religious scene Size 44 x 25 x 14 cm 1450 euro very good condition.
Bronze
Marble and Bronze Clock with Allegory of Astronomy Representing Copernico
By France"
Located in Madrid, ES
Marble and bronze clock with allegory of astronomy representing Copernico The clock measurements: 60 x 48 x 16 cm and Vases: 28 x 15 x 15 cm ...
Bronze
$38,950Sale Price / set|48% Off
H 34 in W 22 in D 13.5 in
French 19th Century Louis XIV Style Empire Ormolu Clock Garniture, Raingo Frers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and palatial French 19th century Louis XIV style Empire figural ormolu three-piece clock and candelabra garniture suite, comprising of a gilt-bronze clock and a pair of t...
Bronze
$20,336
H 86.62 in W 16.15 in D 10.24 in
Outstanding quality antique 19th century French Boulle bracket clock and stand
Located in Ipswich, GB
Outstanding quality antique 19th century French Boulle bracket clock and accompanying pedestal, having a quality antique 19th century bracket clock with a round white dial with Roman...
Brass
$8,922Sale Price|20% Off
H 23.23 in W 16.15 in D 7.88 in
Antique 19th Century French Gilded Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in Vilnius, LT
Large antique 19th century French gilded bronze mantel clock surmounted with two angels holding the dial. The enamel dial numerals are hand...
Bronze, Enamel
French Empire Gilt Bronze Clock
Located in London, GB
French Empire gilt bronze clock French, early 19th century Measures: Height 38cm, width 27cm, depth 10cm This fine gilt bronze man...
Ormolu, Bronze
Japy Freres Louis XVI Antique French Gilt Bronze Clock Set
By Japy Frères
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A beautiful, classically designed antique French gilt bronze clock set by Japy Frères. It features oval panels to the sides showing Fortun...
Bronze
Antique French Gilt Bronze Rococo Clock
By A.D. Mougin
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A large, superb and very decorative original antique French clock by the famous maker A.D. Mougin. It is boldly modelled in the Rococo style in finely gilded bronze. Asymmetric waisted case, decorated profusely with sweeping acanthus leaves, 'C' scrolls and floral swags. To the top is a large elaborate final of a stylised flaming lamp...
Bronze
19th Century Gilded Ormolu and Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An impressive late 19th century French gilded ormolu and patinated bronze mantel clock. Having three putti mounted to the top each playing musical instruments. The clock having an ei...
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Ormolu Cartel Wall Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th century French gilded ormolu wall clock, having Rococo influences to the scroll foliate decoration and cherubs above the eight day striking movement, circa 1880.
Ormolu
Antique French Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
very fine quality Antique French Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Bronze
19th Century French Boulle Longcase Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th Century French boulle inlaid longcase clock, having wonderful scrolling gilded ormolu mounts, an ebonised case wit...
Brass
$17,118 / set
H 15.75 in W 25.99 in D 11.82 in
Large 19th Century Bronze Bachuss Clock Set, by Deniere
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive 19th century Louis XVI style Bachuss influenced bronze and gilded ormolu clock garniture. The pair of four branch candelabra each supported by bronze putti, raised ...
Bronze
$2,032Sale Price|20% Off
H 11.23 in W 7.29 in D 4.93 in
19th Century Gilt Bronze and Marble Clock, Signed Oudin à Marseille
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This charming Louis XVI-style mantel clock is a fine example of French decorative craftsmanship, likely dating from the late 19th century. The clock features a white enamel dial sign...
Marble, Bronze, Enamel, Brass
Sold
H 80 in W 31 in D 12.25 in
Vintage Le Ore Italian Louis XIV Boulle Style Marquetry Mantel Clock & Stand 80"
Located in Dayton, OH
Stunning Italian Boulle style mantel clock by Le Ore New Art International. Le Ore is a small Italian family manufacturer that specializes in intricate and colorful wood inlay. Featu...
Gold Plate, Brass
Limoges France Cobalt Blue Porcelain Desk Clock 22 Karat Gold
By Limoges
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Limoges France Porcelain Imperial Blue Cobalt Battery Operated Desk Clock Vintage Limoges gilded French cobalt blue porcelain clock featuri...
Porcelain
Sold
H 36.23 in W 27.56 in D 8.67 in
Louis XIV Style Gilt Bronze and Chased Cartel Clock, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Louis XIV style gilt bronze and chased cartel clock, 19th century. Cartel, Louis XIV style gilt bronze and chased clock, 19th century, porcelain dial, large decoration, requires a s...
Bronze
Important French Table Clock, Louis XIV, 18th Century
By France"
Located in Madrid, ES
Important French table clock, Louis XIV. 18th century wooden box covered with marquetry "de Boulle". Applications in cast, chiseled, relie...
Wood
Sold
H 20.87 in Dm 11.82 in
Louis Philippe Gilt and Patinated Bronze Figural Mantel Clock 19th Century
By Jules Louis Philippe Coignet
Located in Madrid, ES
A Louis Philippe gilt and patinated bronze figural mantel clock second quarter 19th century Surmounted by the crouching Venus with tortoise after the model by Antoine Coysevox...
Bronze
19th Century Religious Clock in Louis XIV Style
Located in Paris, FR
Napoleon III religious clock in Louis XIV style inlaid with turtle shell, ebony and brass imitating Boulle marquetry. Very beautiful architecture of the cabinet, the door flanked by ...
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 25.99 in W 11.82 in D 4.73 in
Stunning Louis XIV Boulle Gilt Bronze Table Clock, France, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Rare and tall Louis XIV style cartel table clock entirely covered with Boulle style marquetry in engraved brass on a background of brown tortoiseshell. The inside part of the door a...
Brass, Bronze
19th Century Palais Royal Inkwell and Watch Holder
Located in New Orleans, LA
Shimmering mother-of-pearl envelopes this outstanding watch holder and inkwell. The magnificently detailed, pierced screen secures a timepiece and diminutive mirror...
Bronze