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.
French Gilt Bronze Sculpture Statue Marble Base, circa 19th C.
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful, small. French gilt bronze statue in the style of sculptor Hippolyte Francois Moreau, circa late-19th century, France. This gilt ...
Marble, Bronze
$880Sale Price|20% Off
17th Century Iron Lock & Key
Located in Huntington, NY
17th century lock & key. Probably form a large cabinet or a door.
Iron
French Louis XIV Boulle Marquetry Tortoiseshell Gilt Bronze Inkwell Desk Stand
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and magnificent fine quality antique French gilt bronze ormolu mounted André-Charles Boulle (1642-1732) style marquetry inlaid tortoise-shell sculptural encrier (inkstand). G...
Bronze, Ormolu, Brass
$4,800Sale Price|20% Off
Bouillotte Side Table Lamp Mood Light Gilt Bronze Antique Dealer Los Angeles CA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Bouillotte Side Table Lamp Mood Light Gilt Bronze Antique Dealer Los Angeles CA . VERY LARGE Louis XIV style bouillotte table lamp in fine gold color on bronze With a beautiful detai...
Metal, Bronze, Tin
Large Antique French Marble and Bronze Inkwell, circa 1880
Located in Dallas, TX
This is a stunning, large, antique French marble and gilt bronze double inkwell. The inkwells’ lids are hinged to the wells and have motifs of swirling leaves with berries culminatin...
Marble, Bronze
$442Sale Price|25% Off
Antique Gilt Bronze Inkwell, French Louis XVI Style, 1870s
Located in New Orleans, LA
Unleash the Spirit of French Louis XVI: Antique gilt Bronze Inkwell Transport yourself to a time of artistic brilliance with this captivating antique gilt bronze inkwell, meticulousl...
Bronze
Antique 19th century bronze gilded inkwell with malachite
Located in Bilzen, BE
A richly engraved gilded bronze inkwell decorated with cabochon polished malachite stones Fully engraved in Louis XIV style 19th century both glass inside inkholders missing 11.5 x ...
Malachite, Bronze
Late 19th Century 'Sormani' Ormolu Inkwell
By Paul Somani
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality late 19th century gilded ormolu desk inkwell, stamped; Sormani, Paris. Having wonderful stylized scrolling foliate and shell like decoration, with a hinged central lid...
Ormolu
19th Century Bronze Sculpture "The Letter"
Located in Rochester, NY
Antique bronze sculpture of man reading a letter or proclamation. Marble base, 19th century. Unsigned.
Bronze
$4,500
H 16.5 in W 6.85 in D 6 in
Vintage Abstract Bronze Intertwined Figurative Sculpture on White Marble Base
Located in North Miami, FL
This beautiful intertwined abstract figure bronze sculpture on a white marble base is very sensual and has an amazing and different presence from every angle. The bodies are intertwi...
Carrara Marble, Bronze
$783 / item
H 7.88 in W 7.88 in D 9.06 in
20th Century Bronze / Brass Industrial Flame Proof Ceiling Light / Desk Lamp
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
Solid bronze desk lamp with braided cable and dimmer switch. Comes with vintage Edison filament lamp E27. Made in the 1980s by Kokosha - Osaka, Japan. ...
Brass, Bronze
Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Inkwell from France, C. 1840
Located in Dallas, TX
This piece of nineteenth-century French elegance is sure to be the envy of any collector. The Napoleon III gilt bronze inkwell is a prized find, crafted in circa 1840 France with int...
Metal, Bronze
$1,022
H 4.14 in W 8.86 in D 3.15 in
Lovely 19th Century Victorian Gold Gilt Bronze Recumbent Lion Laying Down
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this stunning late 19th century Italian grand tour Recumbent Lion A very good looking and decorative piece that looks expensive and important in any set...
Bronze
$3,100
H 20.75 in Dm 7.5 in
19th Century French Marble Base Bronze Sculpture "Escholier" Signed E. Picault
Located in Dallas, TX
This beautiful antique bronze figure, was created in France, circa 1880. The realistic sculpture, titled on the front: "Escholier, 14eme Siecle", (meaning middle French, 14th century...
Bronze
Italian Pietre Dure Panel of Parrot on Branch, Late 17th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The Pietre Dure panel inset with lapis lazuli, marmo giallo, in a rectangular shape, probably a panel from a cabinet.
Marble
Tortoiseshell Double Inkwell
Located in Dallas, TX
An exquisite blend of elegance and functionality, this tortoiseshell double inkwell is a true collector's delight. With its stunning glass inkwells, brass accents, and convenient sto...
Brass
Louis XVI Gilt Bronze Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Norwood, NJ
Vintage gilt bronze and tole 2-light bouillotte lamp. Round bronze base and oval gilt and painted tole adjustable shade with two arm candle lights and wreath finial.
Bronze
$1,795
H 6 in W 15 in D 7.5 in
Early 20th-C. French Gilt Bronze And Malachite Desk Pen Inkwell / Inkstand
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is an early 20th century highly decorative French gilt bronze, malachite and faux malachite inkstand with dual inkwells. The base is a mix of faux malachite and malachite veneer...
Malachite, Bronze
Vintage Brass and Wrought Iron Skeleton Key
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A vintage brass and wrought iron skeleton key. Embossed "PENN" on the side. Shown with lifesize hand model for scale. CREATOR Unknown. DATE OF MANUFACTURE Unknown....
Brass, Wrought Iron
Classical Bronze Male Nude Torso Sculpture/Statue
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Solid bronze male nudist statue. Classical Greek style sculpture. Unsigned. Would make a wonderful sculpture for desk, office, shelf, etc.
Bronze
French Louis XIV Style Gilt Bronze Foliate Form Inkwell 20thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
French Louis XIV Style Gilt Bronze Foliate Form Inkwell 20thC Measures- 2.75''H x 7.5''W x 5.75''D
Bronze
Napoleon III Boulle Inkstand
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular with two cut glass inkwells and pen tray over a drawer. The sides rounded. The inspiration for the decoration from designs by the master cabinet maker Andre Charles Boull...
Brass
English Boulle and Brass Tortoushell Inkwell, Circa 1900
Located in Van Nuys, CA
20th century English boulle and brass inlaid Tortoushell and rosewood Inkwell and Pen stand. The tortoiseshell was attached to the hardwood rosewood frame and hand-painted with red l...
Brass
Pair of Casolettes, late 18th c
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of French casolettes made of marble and gilt bronze. The condition is not the best. The marble has some restorations and the bronzes are in need of cleaning. But really nice...
Marble, Bronze
Midcentury Cut Crystal and Ormolu Dressing Set Having Butterfly Motif
Located in Winnetka, IL
Midcentury French cut crystal and ormolu dressing set having a butterfly motif.
Glass
Inkwell in Red Levanto Marble, 18th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Rectangular molded inkwell in red Levanto marble. It is drilled with four compartments : two squares, one round and one oblong. It stands on four sm...
Marble
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
Sold
H 3.25 in W 11.5 in D 7.5 in
Louis XVI Style Tulipwood Inkwell or Encrier with Sevres Style Plaques
Located in Nashville, TN
Finished in the surround (all four sides) with paquetry panels and bronze mounts. Each side with a centered porcelain plaque. Some light fading to the veneers but very good antique ...
17th c. Grande Presse Papiers or Paperweight Louis XIV
Located in Haarlem, NL
Large and heavy Presse Papiers in Red Belgian Marble. Nice patina. Some missing chips consistent with age.
Sold
H 7.5 in W 12 in D 7.5 in
Wonderful French Casket With Bronze Ormulo Mounts & Handpainted Sevres Plaque
Located in Roslyn, NY
This French Casket with Ormulo Mounts and a beautiful hand painted Sevres Plaque on top is in wonderful condition. The Sevres plaque has a blue frame, wi...
Bronze
French 17th Century Louis XIV Period Ormolu and Porphyry Inkwell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A truly superb and unique French 17th century Louis XIV period ormolu inkwell. This impressive inkwell is raised on a solid scrolled porphyry base. Four finely chased turtles support the ormolu designed upper portion with a molded edge and scaloped corners. Above are four mythical dragons centered...
Porphyry, Ormolu