Louis XIV Animal Sculptures
LOUIS XIV STYLE
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.
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Style: Louis XIV
French Bronze Sculpture of Youth Wrangling a Horse by Guillaume Coustou
By Coustou
Located in Middleburg, VA
French Bronze Sculpture of Youth Wrangling a Horse by Guillaume Coustou (1677-1746). Best known for his monumental statues of horses, Coustou was the royal sculptor for Louis XIV an...
Category
16th Century French Antique Louis XIV Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
A Large French Bronze Sculpture "Amalthea & Jupiter's Goat" after Pierre Julien
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large 19th century patinated bronze group titled: "Amalthea and Jupiter's Goat" after Pierre Julien (French 1731-1804)
The goddess portrayed as nude but for drapery held across her breasts and falling to her lap, seated on the back of the goat with her right foot raised to rest on a rock outcrop.
Signed: Julien
Circa 1880.
Height: 34" (86.3 cm)
Width: 21" (53.3 cm)
Depth: 15" (38.1 cm)
Pierre Julien's model of Amalthée et la chèvre...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Rare Pair of Louis XIV Gilt Bronze Andirons 'Chenets'
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Each with a different flying dragon raised on a scrolling base ending in a flaming urn.
Category
18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Fô Lions, Smoky Quartz on Base, 19th Century, Ming Dynasty Style
Located in CRÉTEIL, FR
Magnificent pair of Fô lions in smoky quartz each proudly resting on a small wooden plinth on feet.
Smoky quartz is a rock crystal that is distinguished from other quartz by its color which varies between brown and black.
In the 12th century, this brown crystal would have been used to make the first sunglasses in China.
Subsequently, in the 19th century, the use of smoky quartz in society evolved as it became the stone of choice for crystal balls used in clairvoyance.
It symbolizes the uplifting of the soul and protection against misfortune. It is a stone of protection and anchor used for meditation and rest.
Many legends present the lion of Fô to us as a benevolent being who would work together with man to drive out evil spirits.
Period: 19th century - Style: Ming Dynasty
Dimensions: without the base - Height: 5cm x width 9cm. With base: H: 7cm x W: 9cm
Traditionally, the lions of Fô are massive sculptures...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Louis XIV Animal Sculptures
Materials
Stone, Quartz
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Interesting Pair of Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Chenets
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Large Pair of 19th Century Bronze Marly Horses, after Coustou
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A very impressive pair of 19th century bronze Marly horse, having a good patina, after Guillaume Coustou the elder 1677-1746.
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Bronze Horses Sculpture by Curtis Jere
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Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful 1970s cast bronze horses sculpture by renowned designers Curtis Jerè.
The sculpture has a beautiful patina and its mounted on a wooden lacquer base.
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Palatial Pair of English Baroque Style 19th Century Carved Marble Sitting Lions
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and palatial pair of English Baroque style 19th century carved marble sitting lions, the very realistic carved pair with fine attention to detail, each resting its front ...
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19th Century English Antique Louis XIV Animal Sculptures
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H 47.5 in W 25 in D 31 in
Art Deco Bronze Sculpture Reclining Nude with Goats Georges Gori, France, 1930
By Georges Gori
Located in Antwerp, BE
Impressive Art Deco bronze sculpture of a reclining nude playing with two goats. Signed by the French artist Georges Gori, with foundry mark La Pointe, l...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Louis XIV Animal Sculptures
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Bronze
H 13.19 in W 31.5 in D 6.3 in
Pierre Jules Mene, French Bronze “Ibrahim” Equestrian Horse Sculpture
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pierre Jules Mene, 1810 Paris until 1879, 'Ibrahim', bronze sculpture, brown aeruginous,standing horse, head slightly twisted in the center signed P.J. Mene.
Category
19th Century Antique Louis XIV Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Pair Patinated Gilt Bronze Cherub Fireplace Andirons, Chenets Antique Louis XV
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Louis XV Style Patinated and Gilt Bronze Cherub Fireplace Andirons or Chenets
A pair of stunning opposing Cherub Louis XV Style Gilt and P...
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1880s French Antique Louis XIV Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
H 12.5 in W 15 in D 9 in
Pair of 19th Century Sandstone Lions
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of 19th century French sandstone lion fragments. Well carved and with very endearing features. Though fragmentary, these lions present as importan...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Animal Sculptures
Materials
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Antique Pair of French Bronze Marly Horses Sculptures by Cousteau 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a fine antique pair of French Grand Tour patinated-bronze sculptures of the Marly Horses, Circa 1850 in date and signed to one base.
The original Marly Horses were commissi...
Category
1850s French Antique Louis XIV Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
H 24.02 in W 22.05 in D 11.82 in
Palatial Pair of French Baroque Style 19th Century Carved Marble Sitting Lions
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Very Fine and Palatial Pair of French Baroque Revival Style 19th Century Carved Marble Sitting Lions, the very realistic carved pair of posing lions with fine attention to detail, ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Animal Sculptures
Materials
Marble
H 44.5 in W 17 in D 31 in
Bronze Sculpture by Guillaume Coustou
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Guillaume Coustou (1677 - 1746) "Le cheval de Marly", sculpture in bronze
Measures: H: 57 cm
W: 47 cm
D: 22 cm.
Category
Mid-18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Previously Available Items
Pair of Fô Lions, Smoky Quartz on Base, 19th Century, Ming Dynasty Style
Located in CRÉTEIL, FR
Magnificent pair of Fô lions in smoky quartz each proudly resting on a small wooden plinth on feet.
Smoky quartz is a rock crystal that is distinguished from other quartz by its color which varies between brown and black.
In the 12th century, this brown crystal would have been used to make the first sunglasses in China.
Subsequently, in the 19th century, the use of smoky quartz in society evolved as it became the stone of choice for crystal balls used in clairvoyance.
It symbolizes the uplifting of the soul and protection against misfortune. It is a stone of protection and anchor used for meditation and rest.
Many legends present the lion of Fô to us as a benevolent being who would work together with man to drive out evil spirits.
Period: 19th century - Style: Ming Dynasty
Dimensions: without the base - Height: 5cm x width 9cm. With base: H: 7cm x W: 9cm
Traditionally, the lions of Fô are massive sculptures...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Louis XIV Animal Sculptures
Materials
Stone, Quartz
H 1.97 in W 3.55 in D 0.4 in
Boxwood Lion - Venice, Around 1750
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Lion
Venice, around 1750
Carved and painted boxwood
H 19 x L 26 x P 10 cm
Related literature:
- Clara Santini, Mille mobili Veneti. L’arredo domestico in Veneto dal sec. XV...
Category
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Louis XIV Animal Sculptures
Materials
Boxwood
Louis Xiv animal sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Louis XIV animal sculptures for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage animal sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with bronze, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Louis XIV animal sculptures made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original animal sculptures, popular names associated with this style include and Coustou. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for animal sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $557 and tops out at $18,500 while the average work can sell for $6,350.