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.
Vintage French Louis XV Style Brevetatto Italy Brass & Marble Figural Clock Set
By Brevettato
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Louis XV Style Brevetatto Italy Brass & Marble Figural Clock Set - 3 Pc Set. Item features an ornate figural clock with hoof foot cherubs and black marble accents, 2 ornate candelabras with 7 candle holders...
Marble, Brass
$9,479Sale Price / set|39% Off
Three-Piece Clock by Samuel Marti Attributed Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdeley
By Samuel Marti
Located in Milano, IT
Majestic set consisting of a French ormolu clock and two large candelabra. The ormolu watch is made by Samuel Marti. The bronze is attributed to Alfred Em...
Bronze
Gilt Bronze and Wood Table Clock, France, Late 19th Century
By Ecole Boulle
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Gilt bronze and wood table clock, France, late 19th century.
Bronze
MID-19th CENTURY LOUIS XV STYLE CLOCK IN GILT BRONZE AND INLAYS
Located in Firenze, FI
Elegant table clock with an arched case, crafted from hand-carved and ebonized wood, decorated with lost-wax cast and gilded bronze details. Further refinement is provided by the bra...
Brass, Bronze
$47,850Sale Price|36% Off
Louis XV Style 19th-20th Century Figural Gilt Bronze White Marble Mantel Clock
By Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdeley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and important palatial Louis XV style 19th-20th century figural gilt bronze white marble mantel clock with figures of cherubs, the enamel dial with Arabic numerals and fo...
Marble, Bronze
$2,255Sale Price|76% Off
Pendulum Clock Bronze & Marble Representing Virgin Child & St John the Baptist
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very beautiful fireplace clock in marble, patinated and gilded bronze representing the Virgin Mary sitting on a rock holding the infant Jesus in her arms, with at their side st John ...
Marble, Bronze
Antique Louis XV Style Patinated and Gilt Bronze Clock
Located in London, GB
Designed in a fanciful Louis XV style, this beautiful mantel clock takes the form of an Asian elephant, saddled with a howdah (carriage). The clock features a patinated sculpture of ...
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
French 18th Century Louis XV Period/Louis XVI Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant French 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu nine light chandelier. The chandelier is centered by an outstanding bottom acorn inverted finial amidst richly chased acanthus leaf patterns. Each S scrolled arm is decorated with fine acanthus leaves ending in striking floral candle cups and reeded twisted bobeches. The reeded straight central fut leads up to a large, attractive acanthus leaf canopy. With all original gilt throughout. Julien Le Roy (1686-1759) a renowned 18th Century Parisian...
Bronze, Ormolu
$3,007Sale Price|20% Off
Cartel with Its Base in the Style of Boulle
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Cartel with its Base in the style of Boulle, brass inlays and imitating tortoise shell, Louis XV style, Napoleon III period, 19th century. Measures: H: 45 cm, W: 28 cm, D: 17 cm.
Brass
$17,500 / set
3-Piece French Louis XV Style Bronze Clock Set
Located in Queens, NY
3-Piece French Louis XV-style (19th Century) bronze dore and rouge marble clock and pair of 5 arm candelabra. 23\" high (PRICED AS SET)
Bronze
19th Century French Mantel Desk Clock Ormolu Mounts, Boulle Style
Located in Miami, FL
A superb quality antique French mantel clock, circa 1875. This Boulle style clock is made with red tortoiseshell typical of the period, and brass inlays to the case front and sides f...
Brass, Bronze
$18,750Sale Price / set|25% Off
French 19th Century Louis XVI Ormolu & Marble Clock Set by Samuel Marti
Located in Miami, FL
French 19th Century Louis XVI Ormolu & Marble Clock Set by Samuel Marti. Samuel Marti et Cie clocks can be found on display at the Metropolit...
Crystal, Carrara Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
$3,595Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century French "Boulle" Mantel Clock, Louis XV Style
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
19th century French "Boulle" mantel clock, Louis XV style. French Boulle style clock with tortiose shell and inlay. Gilt bronze case mounts of ro...
Sèvres Parian Attr, Louis XV, French Mantle Clock, Parian, Bronze, 19th Century
Located in Manhasset, NY
Sèvres Parian Attr, Louis XV, French Porcelain, Bronze and Parian French Mantle or Desk Clock, Paris Sevres attributed Parian full figured maidens flank this finely crafted mantle c...
Bronze
Vintage Petite French Bronze Cherub Ormolu Rococo Louis XV Style Clock
Located in Chicago, IL
Adorable Petite French bronze Cherub clock. Uncertain to the exact age of the clock. I would estimate it to be from the early 20th century, but pos...
Bronze
Clock, Cartel in Louis XV Style
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Clock, Cartel in Louis XV style, 19th century, Napoleon III period. Measures: H: 45 cm, W: 22 cm, D: 14 cm.
Bronze
French Gilt Clock Set Garniture Cherub Candelabras Louis XV
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Absolutely stunning antique French clock set and garniture in marble and gilt In the Louis XV revival style and circa 1890 This is a stunning French ormolu and white marble clock garniture set, comprising a central mantel clock flanked by a pair of matching two-branch candelabra — a superb example of Louis XVI revival craftsmanship from the late 19th century The central clock features a finely cast gilt bronze case adorned with two seated cherubs, each holding floral garlands, symbolising love and innocence. The circular enamel dial has elegant Arabic numerals and gilt hands, framed by a beaded bezel and surmounted by a floral and ribbon finial The base combines crisp white marble with gilt bronze mounts, including acanthus and rosette motifs, all resting on toupie feet The matching candelabra mirror...
Giltwood
18th Century, Italian Wood Ringtone and Alarm Table Clock with Gilt Bronze
Located in IT
18th century, Italian Louis XV wood ringtone and alarm table clock with gilt bronze This table clock was made in the north of Italy (Genoa) 18th century, Louis XV era. The case, t...
Bronze
Gilt-Bronze and Cloisonné Garniture with Angels Figures, France, 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Gilt-bronze and cloisonné garniture with angels figures, France, 19th century.
Marble, Bronze, Enamel
Small Louis XV Style Samac Clock
Located in Beaune, FR
Small Louis XV rocaille style gilded spelter clock decorated with foliage and flowers and two cupids. It is in good condition. Circa 1900. Dimensions Height 20cm Width 9cm Depth 4,5cm
Metal
Pendulum Antique circa 1870 Wood with Gilded Bronze Mechanik Gustaf Becker
Located in Berlin, DE
Pendule of the early days, circa 1870 wood decorated with splendidly gilded bronze, work by Gustaf Becker clock with striking mechanism working with key a...
Oak
19th-Century Pendulum Wall Clock
Located in Opole, PL
We present you this chain pendulum clock with a gravity winding mechanism with a single weight. The case bears normal traces of long years of use. It is intended to be renovated. ...
Brass
$9,600
H 15 in W 18.5 in D 5.5 in
Directoire Gilt-Bronze Marble Mounted Chariot Clock, Late 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine and delicate directoire style gilt-bronze marble mounted chariot clock. Exquisite bronze work depicting a winged charioteer guiding a pair of...
Marble, Bronze
$14,950Sale Price|21% Off
H 20 in W 19.13 in D 8 in
French 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Cherubs & Rooster Mantel Clock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine French 19th century Louis XV style gilt bronze and white marble figural mantel clock. The finely chased ormolu body, with its original two-tone mercury gilt, centered with a circular enameled porcelain clock face with Roman and Arabic numeral dials and inscribed 'A. Thomas - Fabt de Bronze - 56, Rue de Turenne - Paris', surmounted with a pair of playful seated cherubs amidst clouds and wreaths, the case crowned with a figure of a Gallic Rooster (Coq Gaulois...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Pendulum clock, Italy, 1970
Located in modena, Emilia-Romagna
Pendulum clock built in the 1970s. The story of this item is rather peculiar: Some time ago a kind-looking elderly gentleman came into our store and asked if he could look at our mer...
Steel
Late 19th Century French Gilt Metal Mantel Clock
Located in Cheshire, GB
Late 19th-century French gilt metal mantel clock, surmounted with a classical figure, opposing a white enamel Roman numeral drum dial striking on a ...
Metal
$28,500 / set
H 29 in W 19.13 in D 9.75 in
A French 19th C. Louis XV Style Ormolu Cherub Clock & Candelabra Garniture Set
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An Assembled Very Fine French 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze and White Marble Figural Mantel Clock and Candelabra Garniture Set. The finely chased ormolu clock body, with it...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Louis XV Style Mantel Clock
Located in Belmont, MA
Unique French 19th century mantel clock. This exquisite mantel clock has a Sevres porcelain dial plate and other Sevres porcelain decorations. The movement with spring suspension. ...
Ormolu
Magnificent Gilt Bronze and Marble Clock
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine gilt bronze and marble clock featuring a lion. Marble case, ornate face with enameled Roman numerals. France, circa 1880 Dime...
Marble, Bronze
$7,500
H 21 in W 13 in D 8 in
Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Parcel-Gilt and Biscuit Porcelain Clock
Located in Long Island City, NY
A beautifully design late 19th century gilt bronze mounted parcel-gilt and biscuit porcelain mantel (fireplace) clock The front carved with Apollo riding his chariot. The bottom wit...
Bronze, Ormolu
$38,000 / set
H 29 in W 13 in D 9 in
Exceptional Late 19th Century Three-Piece Clock Set by Ferdinand Gervais
Located in Long Island City, NY
An exceptional late 19th century gilt bronze-mounted marble three-piece clock set By Ferdinand Gervais The lyre shaped case surrounded with bronze roses, acanthus and lilys, a ...
Marble, Bronze, 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
$10,171 / set
H 19.3 in W 9.45 in D 6.7 in
Sèvres Style Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Three-Piece Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This exquisite clock set is designed in an elegant 18th-Century Rococo manner, in the style of Sèvres porcelain wares. Rococo is characterised by its use of pastel colours, graceful ...
Ormolu, Bronze
Sold
H 23.23 in W 16.34 in D 6.7 in
A Large Ormolu and Chased Cartel Clock in the Louis XV Style, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A large ormolu and chased cartel clock in the Louis XV style, 19th century. A 19th century ormolu cartel clock in the Louis XV style, decorated with a musical cherub with a lyre. H:...
Bronze
TIFFANY & CO 19th Century Silver Clock.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
" TIFFANY & CO 19th Century Silver Clock " 19th century Louis XV style silver clock by Tiffany & co. h: 12cm, l: 7,5cm, p: 5cm
Silver
Sold
H 100 in W 22 in D 22 in
Regence Louis XV-Style, Bronze-Mounted Kingwood and Marquetry Tall-Case Clock
By Charles Cressent
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Regence / Louis XV-Style, gilt-bronze-mounted kingwood and marquetry tall-case grandfather clock, 19th Century. After a Model by Charles Cressent (French, 1685-1768). A fin...
Bronze
French 19th Century Louis XV St. Meissen Porcelain and Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional and most decorative French 19th century Louis XV st. Meissen porcelain and ormolu clock signed Meissen and Crosnier. The clock is raised by a beautiful scrolled ground...
Ormolu
Chronos & Gaïa - Samac Clock Signed Petit, 19th century
Located in Beaune, FR
Beautiful clock in samac representing Gaïa, the goddess of the Earth. She is the creator of the world, represented as a very tall woman with curly hair and a veil. At her feet sits h...
Marble
Huge Gilt Bronze Clock, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Huge gilt bronze cartel, decorated with shells and an Angel. Impressive by its size and very rich decoration. Louis XV style, Napoleon III period, 19th century. Measures: H: 148 c...
Bronze
Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze and Porcelain Figurative Clock
Located in New York, NY
Very fine quality French 19 century Louis XV style gilt bronze and porcelain Figurative Clock. With porcelain figures and flowers.
Bronze
Sold
H 11.03 in W 5.91 in D 4.93 in
Louis XV Style Porcelain Clock Attributed Samson & Cie, France, circa 1880
By Samson & Cie
Located in PARIS, FR
Charming polychrome porcelain, green lacquered metal sheet and chiseled gilt bronze Louis XV style clock attributed to Samson & Cie. A gilt bronze bush, decorated with small porcelain flowers and metal sheet foliage, supports the circular face, with Arabic numbers for hours. Rests on a gilt bronze foliage base decorated with a porcelain family scene composed of two parents playing and embracing their child. This type of clock first appears during the reign of Louis XV. The importation of exotic goods and the opening of the Turkish Embassy, in Paris in 1721, considerably influenced Louis XV style, with the apparition of exotics characters, scenes and animals ornamenting...
Bronze
Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Clock Rocaille, 19th Century
Located in Beaune, FR
Pretty gilt bronze clock in the Louis XV rococo style surmounted by a putti. Front and sides in honeycomb style. Very beautiful original gilding. Complete pendulum, mechanism to be r...
Bronze
Gilded Bronze Mantelpiece
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Gilded bronze mantelpiece, clock and two candelabras, Louis XV style Measures: Cartel H 39cm, W 20cm, D 13cm Candelabra H 30cm, W 24cm, D 17cm.
Bronze
Sold
H 55 in W 55 in D 14.5 in
Gilt Bronze Doré and Patinated French Clock with 26 Candelabrum with putti
Located in Houston, TX
Exquisite and large scale French bronze doré and patinated bronze Elements Encase this exquisite clock presentation. 27 candelabra with scrolling arms decorate the entire piece. The...
Bronze
Clock Set in Gilt and Champleve Bronze XIXth Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Clock set in gilt and Champleve bronze XIXth century French champlevé enamel and gilded ormolu clock garniture, each candelabra with five branches, enamel decoration and scrolling f...
Bronze