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.
Gilded Carved Wooden Frame, Louis XV Style (rococo, Circa 1740–1760)
Located in Bilzen, BE
"Gilded Carved Wooden Frame, Louis XV Style (rococo, Circa 1740–1760)" Elegant carved wooden frame, covered with a red plate and remnants of original gilding, typical of the refined ...
Wood
$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
Louis XV Style Giltwood Wall Bracket
Located in Sheffield, MA
Ornate "S" scroll Italian Florentine giltwood hand carved wall bracket.
Giltwood
French Louis XVI Style Brass Picture Frame
Located in Queens, NY
French Louis XVI-style square shape brass easel picture frame with rope design border and wreath motif pediment top.
Brass
$605Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Picture Frame, Signed E.Roo, France, Bronze Dorée, Late 19th Century
Located in Greven, DE
Antique picture frame from the French historicism, the so-called Louis XV style. Beautiful and very heavy bronze work. Signed by the artist "E.Roo". Inside dimension: 13 x 9 cm ...
Bronze
Venetian Louis XV carved black and gold frame - 18th century
Located in Vicenza, IT
Elegant Venetian frame from the Louis XV period, dating from around 1750. Made of carved wood, it features fine decoration with rocaille motifs and leaf cartouches at the corners and...
Gold Leaf
Antique French 19th Century Gilt Bronze Standing Picture Frame
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Magnificent elaborate gilt bronze picture frame with a guilloche inset matt. The frame with garlands and swags with original oval glass an metal back with easel.
Bronze, Enamel
Gilded Louis XV Frame labeled and manufactured Antwerp, Belgium ca. 1850
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Belgium / Antwerp / 1850 / Frame / gilded wood / Louis XV An exquisite mid-19th century Louis XV-style frame with the original label on the back. Crafted in Antwerp, Belgium around ...
Wood
An 18th Century Mercury Gilt Bronze Stoup and Photo Frame.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
An 18th century mercury gilt bronze stoup and photo frame. An 18th century mercury gilt bronze stoup and photo frame, Louis XV. H: 31cm, W: 20cm, D: 4cm
Bronze
Large Giltwood Picture Frame with Intricate Decoration Louis XV Style
Located in SAINTE-COLOMBE, FR
Large Giltwood Picture Frame with Intricate Decoration Louis XVI Style This large giltwood picture frame is profusely decorated with a recurring pattern of swirling leaves and flow...
Gold Leaf
Large Louis XV-XVI carved, silver-plated and mechanized Emilian oval frame, mid
Located in Vicenza, IT
Important mid-eighteenth-century Emilian oval frame, placeable in the transition between late Louis XV and early Louis XVI taste.Finely carved with plant motifs and interlaced ribbon...
Iron, Silver Leaf
$208Sale Price|20% Off
Etienne Charpentier "Interior Decoration of the Gallery of the Hotel Villars"
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Nice and large engraving by Etienne Charpentier (1705- 1764). It shows a view of the interior decoration of the gallery of the Hotel Villars. There are also some more technical elements in the lower part of the engraving. It is numbered 5.7. This interior is in a Louis XV rocailles system, recognisable by the multitude of curves and the numerous floral and shell motifs. It was inspired by the engraving made by David Blondel, the king's engraver. signed: Charpentier sculp Blondel inv Slight trace of wetness but good general condition Etienne Charpentier was a French engraver, publisher and print dealer...
Paper
Louis XV Style Carved Gilt Wood Mirror
Located in Queens, NY
Louis XV style (19th Century) large rectangular carved and giltwood wall frame.
Wood
French Framed Copper Engraved Hand Colored Map of Carolina & Georgia, Circa 1757
Located in Charleston, SC
French copper engraved hand colored map of Carolina & Georgia matted under glass with a painted frame, mid-18th century
Glass, Wood, Paint, Paper
Pair of Bronze Photo Frames, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of Bronze Photo Frames, Napoleon III period. Pair of bronze photo frames, Louis XV style, Napoleon III period, 19th century. H: 32cm, W: 22cm, D: 1.5cm
Bronze
Antique Birdseye Maple Picture Frame. English, 19th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful birdseye maple frame With gilt slip. Original patina. A delightful colour The measurement given below is the outside of the frame Internally it measures 7.25 x 7.75 inc...
Birdseye Maple
Period Rectangular Giltwood Italian Salvator Rosa Style Frame
Located in Roma, IT
Salvator Rosa last 17th century giltwood frame. Internal measurements cm 24 x 32.5 Pure example of Italian Salvator Rosa gild wood frame of 17th century. "Salvator Rosa" is the famo...
Wood
French Louis XVI Style Bronze Oval Desktop Picture Frame, ca 1900
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Louis XVI style bronze oval photo or picture desktop easel frame from circa the 1900s. This adorable picture frame is made of bronze and brass and has an easel supporting leg ...
Bronze, Brass
$341
H 8.27 in W 5.91 in D 3.94 in
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Style Bronze Oval Desktop Picture Frame
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Louis XVI style bronze oval photo or picture desktop easel frame from circa the 1900s. This adorable picture frame is made of bronze and has an easel supporting leg on the bac...
Bronze
$2,650
H 18 in W 14 in D 1.5 in
Wonderful French Large Oval Bronze Ormolu Garland Embossed Picture Frame
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French large oval bronze ormolu garland embossed picture frame with easel back 18" H x 14" W.
Bronze
$413
H 12.6 in W 7.88 in D 5.12 in
Late 19th Century French Picture Frame - Empire Style - Gilt Copper
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Elegant French photo frame in Empire style, dating from the late 19th century. The frame is decorated with finely detailed gilt copper ornaments that give it a refined and timeless c...
Copper
$295
H 6.5 in W 3.75 in D 0.38 in
Antique Louis XVI Style French Gilt Bronze Picture Frame, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Antique French Louis XVI style gilt bronze picture frame 19th Century Classic elaborate bow motif crest, stylized laurel leaf border with fine beaded details. Black velvet back with ...
Bronze
Chalten Wood & Alpaca Silver Picture Frame by AIREDELSUR
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Inspired by the trails of the Chalten Mountain, in the south of the Andes mountain range, this family of trays, flower vases, containers and picture frames is born. The mountain hiking trails...
Metal
$378
H 6.3 in W 4.73 in D 3.55 in
19th Century Ormolu Gilt Bronze Picture Frame - Louis XVI Style - France
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful antique ormolu gilt bronze picture frame. Very fine details, Louis XVI style. France, circa 1880-1890. The picture frame is 15,5 cm tall, the diameter is Ø12 cm. Diame...
Bronze
Antique Giltwood Picture Frame. English 18th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Lovely Georgian giltwood picture frame Carved pine with shallow gesso and gilt Original patina Internally or sight measures 19.25 x 24 inches. 48.5 x 61 cm Free UK shipping
Giltwood
19th Century European Ornate Gilt Picture Frame
Located in Louisville, KY
This beautiful European frame was most likely created in Germany in the 1800's. Boasting a stunningly ornate motif of foliage around the frames surface...
Wood, Giltwood
Large Carved Gilt Wood Frame, French Rococo Style
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large Ornate French Rococo Style Carved Ornate Gilt Wood Frame. This gorgeous hand-crafted frame has lots of charming details including shell motifs and cross hatch features. This su...
Gesso, Wood
Antique French Louis XV Style Bronze D'ore & Enamel Picture Frame
Located in Atlanta, GA
French, 19th century. A beautiful D'ore bronze picture frame in the Louis XV taste with a reeded edge, delicate ribbon top and a blue enameled "x" form to 4 separate sections of fra...
Bronze, Enamel
Sold
H 15.36 in W 10.63 in D 1.58 in
18th Century Italian Pair of Gilt Frames Small Louis XV Carved Mirrors
Located in Milano, MI
18th century Italian Louis XV style altar giltwood frames, two charming antique carved and giltwood frames, altar cards or cantagloria from Italy. Shaped, with scrolling and acanthus leaf deep carving, they are realized in cembran pinewood and have an original gold leaf gilding, dating back to 18th century and in good age related condition, with signs of wear and restorations, consistent with age and use. They both come from Piedmonte, North Italy. Mercury Glasses have replaced lyturgical inscriptions and these antique Italian small frames are now used as decorative antique mirrors...
Pine, Mirror
Large Antique Picture Frame, France, Brass, 1870-1880
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful antique picture frame from France. The picture inside is matching in time. Special measurements of the picture size: 17.5 x 8 cm.
Brass
Sold
H 9.25 in W 6.75 in D 4 in
Antique French Louis XV Bronze D' Ore Enamel Desktop Picture Frame, Circa 1890.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Louis XV style bronze d' ore enamel desktop picture frame. Photo size: 4 inches wide x 5 inches tall
Bronze, Enamel
Antique Painting, Turkey Feast, Oil on Canvas, Mid 20th Century
Located in Port Washington, NY
Mid 20th century oil on canvas painting Signature on bottom left Chef prepares a delicious meal and cocktails for two noble men as they are c...
Canvas
French Louis XV Style Giltwood Frame, Circa 1880
Located in Dallas, TX
This magnificent antique frame is made in the Royal Louis XV style of the 18th century. This high-relief frame is adorned with finely detailed foliate shel...
Wood, Giltwood
Pair of Gilt Bronze Photo Frames, Late 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of Gilt Bronze Photo Frames, Late 19th Century Pair of gilt bronze photo frames of rectangular shape, with light gilt silk, Louis XV style...
Bronze
Three Shutters Photo Frame, Early 20th
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Three shutters photo frame, early 20th century. A Louis XV style gilt bronze three shutter photo frame, stamped with a mill with a Paris trademark on the back of the frame, early 20...
Bronze
Louis XV Style Large Carved Whitewashed Wood Frame
Located in Rochester, NY
Louis XV style large carved wood frame in beautifully aged original whitewashed surface. Circa 1960's. Great decorative frame for a mirror or painting. Look at all pictures and read ...
Wood
Pair of Louis XV Style Bronze Picture Frames, France, 1920s
Located in Barntrup, DE
A beautiful pair of Louis XV or Rococo style French bronze picture frames. Ornate scroll, shell, and foliate motifs abound around the entir...
Bronze
Antique French Louis XV Style Bronze D'ore Oval Picture Frame, Circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Louis XV style bronze D'ore oval picture frame with wreath and Laurel detail, Circa 1890 Fits photo 3 inches by 4 inches.
Bronze
Sold
H 5.75 in W 4 in D 2.5 in
Antique French Louis XV Style Bronze D'oré Oval Desktop Picture Frame circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautiful antique French Louis XV style bronze D'oré oval desktop picture frame, Circa 1890. Fits photo 2" x 3 1/2".
Bronze