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.
Shipping Free, 19th Century Silvered Bronze Inkstand Signed Boin Taburet, Paris
By Boin-Taburet
Located in Lisse, NL
Louis XV style inkstand with chinoiserie design, lacquered top. This rare and stylish inkstand is a work of the house Boin-Taburet, goldsmith in Paris. This impressive size inkstand...
Silver Plate
$880Sale Price|20% Off
Fine Antique French Neoclassical Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Picture Frame
Located in Miami, FL
A fine ornate antique French Louis XV style gilt bronze photo frame with back easel stand, Napoleon III era, circa 1880. Richly decorated with neoclassical style motifs such as faces...
Bronze
Japanned or Chinoiserie Decorated Louis XV Style Lacquer Inkwell
Located in Nashville, TN
The lacquer ground with a strong burgundy undertone. Well carved , colored and other wise decorated . The porcelain well in good Antique condition . Minor wear due to age and use .
Lacquer
19th Century French Brass Antique Engraved and Signed Inkwell Louis XV Style
Located in Sofia, BG
19th Century small French antique engraved brass Inkwell in Louis XV style signed in the bottom in very good authentic condition.
Brass
Inkwell signed by François Linke, Gilt Bronze and Lacquer, 19th Century
Located in NICE, FR
This rare Louis XV–style inkwell by François Linke (1855–1946) is crafted in Chinese lacquer and finely cast gilt bronze. Known as one of the most important Parisian cabinetmakers of...
Bronze
Fine 19th Century Ormolu Mounted KPM Porcelain Desk Set - Inkwell Candlesticks
By Berlin Royal Porcelain Factory
Located in Forney, TX
A very fine quality, exquisitely hand-crafted, late nineteenth century bronze doré mounted Royal Porcelain Factory Berlin (KPM) porcelain five piece desk set. The breathtaking anti...
Bronze
Gilt Bronze with Enamel French Hand Mirror
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Wonderful gilt bronze with blue and white enamel hand mirror. Marked France on one side of the handle and New York on the other. Measures: 10” by 5 1/4” Age appropriate ware to frame...
Enamel, Ormolu
19th Century French Pewter Inkwell with Lion Sculpture Signed A. Bossu
Located in Dallas, TX
Place this elegant antique signed inkwell in a man’s office. Created in France, circa 1880, the pewter desk accessory sits on four small curved feet, an...
Pewter
Pair of French Ormolu Figural Candelabra, 19th Century
Located in Cypress, CA
Exquisite pair of French Louis XV style gilt bronze five-light figural candelabra, 19th century. Five foliage-inspired candleholders are conjoined by intricate gilt bronze scrollin...
Bronze
French Early 19th Century Louis XV St. Sèvres Porcelain and Ormolu Inkwell
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful and exceptionally high quality French early 19th century Louis XV st. Sèvres Porcelain and ormolu inkwell, signed Sèvres. The inkwell is raised by striking pierced scrolled foliate ormolu movements in a most decorative satin and burnished finished. At the center is the finely detailed Sèvres Porcelain tray...
Ormolu
Period French Louis XV Ormolu Mounted Japanese Lacquer Chinoiserie Inkwell Tray
By Vernis Martin
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce nearly 300 year old Louis XV (1715-1774) period French gilt bronze ormolu mounted Japanned encrier (inkwell or inkstand) Paris, France, circa 1750, exceptionally executed in Louis 14th exotic far-east Japanesque / Chinoiserie oriental styling, popular at the time due to the rise in trade with China and Japan throughout the 18th century, Parisian Vernis Martin lacquer work, decorated with lavish Rocaille elements, having three inkwells fitted with glass jar inserts and ornate fiolated acorn finial covers, on a black lacquer cartouche shaped tray with roster...
Bronze, Ormolu
Fine Louis XV Style Gilt-Bronze and Sèvres Style Porcelain Inkwell, circa 1890
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Louis XV Style gilt bronze and Sèvres style Porcelain inkwell. French, circa 1890. This elegant and sophisticated inkwell is of sarcophagus form with finely painted por...
Bronze
Louis XV Style Pewter Mounted Double Inkwell Stand
Located in Astoria, NY
Louis XV Style Pewter Mounted Double Inkwell Stand, 19th century, with finial handle opening inkwell covers to porcelain liners marked "CE" and ebonized composition pen rest. 5.25" ...
Pewter
Louis XV Style Bronze and Glass Figural Inkwell
Located in Germantown, MD
Louis XV Style Bronze and Glass Figural Inkwell Dimensions: 7" in width, 4" in depth and 6.5 inches in height.
Bronze
Antique French Gilt Bronze Encrier Inkwell Desk Stand, Signed JF
Located in Forney, TX
A most impressive fine quality antique Louis XV style French ormolu encrier / inkstand. Born in France in the 19th century, almost certainly Parisian work, exquisitely chased, chis...
Bronze, Ormolu
Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Black Marble Standish Double Inkwell
Located in Germantown, MD
An exceptional Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Black Marble Standish Inkwell with Cherub playing music.
Marble, Metal, Brass
Antique French Figural Louis XV Style Figural Bronze Double Inkwell Inkstand wit
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique French Figural Louis XV Style Figural Bronze Double Inkwell Inkstand with Pen Holder 19th Century French Louis XV style figural cast bronze d...
Bronze
Antique French Louis XV Style Bronze Ormolu Inkwell Signed Van De Voorde
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions: Height: 6 1/2 in Width: 15 3/4 in Depth: 9 in This antique French Louis XV style bronze ormolu inkwell is truly a sight to be seen! If we take a look at the photos prov...
Bronze, Ormolu
Small French Louis XV Style Carved Marble and Gilt Bronze Letter Carrier, 1900s
Located in Dallas, TX
More information coming soon… This small French Louis XV-style letter carrier would make a wonderful accessory for any office, desk, or writing table. Three gilt bronze guides with...
Stone, Marble, Metal, Bronze
French Louis XV Style Bronze Roll Blotter
Located in Queens, NY
French Louis XV-style (19/20th Century) bronze scroll design roll blotter with scroll top open handle.
Bronze
French Louis XV Miniature Secretary Inkwell
Located in Queens, NY
French Louis XV-style (19th Century) inkwell stand in the form of a miniature secretary with roll top and etched glass doors. Roll top is stiff and hard to open.
Glass
Pair of French Louis XV Style Doré Bronze Dogs on Malachite Plinths
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions- H: 3in W: 4 1/4in D: 2 7/8in This exceptional pair of French Doré bronze dogs on malachite plinths/bases are an amazing example of high quality antique smalls. Finding a pair in this good of condition is highly uncommon. Malachite Was believed to have healing factors in Europe during the Renaissance and later people saw malachite as a sign of wealth and power due to its rarity. Most pieces made with malachite whether it was a piece of furniture or a pair of bronze dogs...
Malachite, Bronze, Ormolu
French Louis XV Silver and Bronze Inkwell
Located in Queens, NY
French Louis XV-style (19/20th Century) silver plate on bronze oval shaped inkwell with handles and acorn finial.
Silver, Bronze
19th Century Belgium Louis XV Rococo Repousse Brass Inkwell with Letter Holder
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a man's desk or study with this elegant antique inkwell; crafted in Belgium, circa 1880, the desk accessory stands on scroll feet over a scalloped apron, and features intric...
Brass, Metal
French Louis XV Style Bronze Double Inkwell
Located in Queens, NY
French Louis XV-style (19th Century) bronze double inkwell with trophy caps and cupid playing the cello on a white onyx base.
Onyx, Bronze
19th C. French Faience Blue and White Hand Painted Inkwell with Harbor Scene
By Delft
Located in Dallas, TX
Add a touch of classic French charm to your writing desk with this elegant ceramic inkwell. Crafted in France circa 1880, the cartouche-shaped faience piece features intricate hand p...
Ceramic, Faience
$6,450Sale Price|56% Off
French 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt-Bronze Encrier Inkwell by Boin Taburet
By Boin-Taburet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine French 19th century Louis XV style gilt-bronze, mahogany and porcelain Encrier (Inkwell). The oval mahogany base surmounted with an ormolu mounted trim, dual-trays and fi...
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Gilt Spelter Inkwell with Rooster Sculpture Signed A. Bossu
Located in Dallas, TX
Place this elegant antique inkwell in a man’s office or study. Created in France, circa 1880, and built of spelter, the desk accessory sits on five small d...
Spelter
French Louis XV Bronze Dore Inkwell/Candleholder
Located in Queens, NY
French Louis XV-style (19th Century) bronze dore filigree double inkwell with candleholder sides and griffins.
Bronze
French Louis XV Miniature Secretary
Located in Queens, NY
French Louis XV-style (19th Century) vitrine in the form of a miniature secretary with roll top and clear glass panels.
Glass, Walnut
French Louis XV Miniature Secretary Inkwell
Located in Queens, NY
French Louis XV-style (19th Century) inkwell stand in the form of a miniature secretary with roll top and etched glass doors.
Glass, Walnut
Letter Openers louis XV style in bronze
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Louis XV style bronze Letter Openers,the facesare decorated with foliage and crosspieces, original condition
Bronze
19th Century French accessories Inkwell in bronze Louis XV style
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Louis XV style bronze inkwell ,in the middle you have a marble plaque in the shape of a heart ,the bronze are finely executed,original condition Extremly rare this inkwell have its...
Bronze
Louis XV Style Gilt-Bronze Encrier by Paul Sormani, French c 1870
By Paul Sormani
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Rare Louis XV Style gilt bronze Encrier, By Paul Sormani. French, circa 1870. Signed 'P. Sormani, Paris' to the underside of the cover. Thi...
Bronze