Reflecting the final era of royal opulence before the upheaval of the French Revolution, antique Louis XVI furniture features more angular shapes than the Rococo curves of the Louis XV style, harkening back to the imposing grandeur of Louis XIV.
Dating between 1750 and 1800, an era that overlapped with the last king of France whose reign was cut short by the guillotine, Louis XVI furniture, known as the goût grec, is emblematic of the neoclassical revision that French furniture underwent during the second half of the 18th century.
Authentic Louis XVI furniture characteristics include clean lines and carved details such as scrolls and acanthus flourishes that were inspired by ancient Greece and Rome. This was informed by a burgeoning interest in antiquity in the 18th century, owing to new archaeological excavations at sites including Pompeii and Herculaneum. It largely eclipsed the more East Asian–influenced ornamentation of Louis XV for something more geometric and symmetrical.
The Louis XVI style was defined by what was being created for the palatial rooms at Versailles and Fontainebleau, particularly for the queen, with cabinetmaker Jean-Henri Riesener being a favorite of Marie-Antoinette’s for his luxurious pieces accented with gilded bronze and marquetry. Furniture maker Jean-Baptiste-Claude Sené was also a major designer of the period, with his pieces for the royal residences adorned with giltwood and neoclassical touches like tapered columns for chair legs and laurel leaf carvings. Cabinetmaker Adam Weisweiler occasionally incorporated into his furniture porcelain panels produced by Sèvres, a popular manufacturer of European ceramics that served the crown with serveware, vases and other decorative objects.
Find a collection of antique Louis XVI seating, tables, cabinets and other furniture on 1stDibs.
18th Century Carved Wooden Lion on Rouge du Roi Marble Base
Located in Knivsta, SE
18th Century Carved Wooden Lion on Rouge du Roi Marble Base A striking and highly unusual paperweight in the form of a reclining lion, dating from the second half of the 18th centur...
Griotte Marble
Set of 2 Antique Glass Paperweights, Belgium
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very beautiful set of 2 glass paperweights. This set is made in Belgium in the 19th century. They were also used as a hat or hairpiece pedestal. Now they are used for decoration. T...
Blown Glass
French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Small Scale Statue/Paperweight
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most charming French 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu and Rouge Royale marble small scale statue/paperweight, signed F. Costa. The statue is raised by an oval Rouge Royale base wi...
Marble, Ormolu
Murano Glass Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian Murano glass paperweight hand blown with intricate white, light blue, and dark blue ribbons / Made in Italy, circa 1960s Origina...
Murano Glass
Murano Glass Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian Murano glass paperweight hand blown with white "filigrana" - white filaments intricately superimposed and intertwined within the glass / Made in Italy, circa 1960s Me...
Murano Glass
Antique English Arculus Pink Chequer Glass Paperweight
By Clichy, Saint Louis, Baccarat
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique English rare chequer glass paperweight. By Arculus. With pink latticinio rods and mixed cogs and stars canes. Bears the characteristic spontaneity and hand-crafted q...
Glass, Art Glass
Grand Tour Inlaid Specimen Marble Paperweight, Late 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The paperweight inset with a plaster cast of the Coliseum, outlined in 'marmo nero' and marmo giallo.
Marble
Venini Glass Paperweight
By Venini
Located in New York, NY
This egg-shaped Venini glass paperweight has a purple spiral encased in an orange spiral. It still bears the original Venini label with the Veronese va...
Glass
PAIR OF 19th Century French CHENETS Louis XVI Style
Located in Madrid, ES
PAIR OF 19th Century French CHENETS Louis XVI style, in gilded metal. Dim.: 29 x 13 x 5 cm good conditions
Metal
$14,000 / set
H 16.5 in W 11 in D 11 in
19th Century French Ormolu Mounted Rounded Globe Style Tantalus Liquor Set
Located in New York, NY
An Unusual 19th century French Ormolu Mounted Globe Style Tantalus liquor set. The round globe top which rests on an elongated ormolu base is not common to find. The crystal top is m...
Crystal, Ormolu
Very Unusual Cut Crystal Cube Shaped Paperweight 19th Century
Located in Rochester, NY
Cut and gilded 19th century crystal paperweight. Very unusual cube form. High quality crystal. Decorated on all sides.
Crystal
Murano Glass Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian clear Murano glass paperweight hand blown with bollicine technique / Made in Italy, circa 1960s Measures: Diameter 3.75...
Murano Glass
French 18th Century Balance Scale
Located in Round Top, TX
A handsome French 18th century balance scale in iron and brass. The balance mechanism is in iron. The foot and the plates are in brass. The...
Brass, Iron
Murano Glass Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian Murano glass paperweight hand blown with white and red scrambled canes within the glass, made in Italy, circa 1960s Measures: Diameter 3 inches, height 2.75 inches 1 ...
Murano Glass
FORNASETTI Glass Paperweight
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage glass sphere paperweight by Fornasetti, made in Italy in the 1990s Original label underside Diameter: 3 inches / Height: 1.5 inches 1 ...
Glass
19th Century Louis XVI Style Ormolu Stand with Crystal Ball
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century Louis XVI Style Ormolu Stand with Crystal Ball The ormolu stand, French, Circa 1870s The crystal ball 20th Century A unique and captivating objet d'art that combines the elegance of the 19th century Louis XVI style with the timeless allure of a crystal ball. The colorless crystal ball, dating from the 20th century, is beautifully paired with a fine ormolu tripartite stand...
Crystal, Marble, Ormolu
Pair of Paperweights in Bronze from 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
A pair of fun paperweights with shoes in bronze from 19th century. Probably France, 19th century. The shoes with a worn silvering. Wear consistent wih age and use.
Bronze
Large 18th Century French Lock and Key
Located in Houston, TX
Large 18th century French iron lock and key. This handsome antique French iron lock comes with the original key and makes an interesting coffee table acce...
Iron
Sold
H 5.91 in W 7.8 in D 3.27 in
Pair of French Louis XVI Late 18th Century Bronze and Marble Sphinxes
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very attractive pair of French Louis XVI period patinated bronze sphinxes, each recumbent on a rectangular marble plinth. Most likely used as paper presses / paperweights. The bron...
Marble, Bronze