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.
Antique 17th Century French Baroque Carved Oak Winged Cherub Bust
Located in Leesburg, VA
This distressed antique French winged cherub bust is a testament to the grandeur and craftsmanship of the 17th-century French Baroque. Carved from dense, heavy oak, this architectura...
Oak
Carved wooden bust of a woman, France, Louis XIV period, circa 1700
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Elegant carved wooden female bust dating from the Louis XIV period (late 17th – early 18th century). This decorative work depicts a young woman wearing a veil that falls gracefully o...
Wood
A 19th century marble bust of Corneille van Clève
Located in Wijnegem, BE
Marble bust of Corneille Van Cleve by Jean-Jacques Caffieri, France, 19th century.
Carrara Marble
Bust of a young lady in marble, 19th century
Located in GRANADA, ES
Busto de dama hecha en mármol blanco del Siglo XIX , representa una musa o ninfa , posiblemente de origen italiano , adquirida en una colección española . El vendedor garantiza la a...
Marble
Italian Grand Tour Carved Marble Bust Of Woman
Located in Bradenton, FL
Classical 19th century hand-carved Italian Neoclassic Grand Tour marble female bust. Bust features intricately carved young woman's head and neck, wearing delicate drapery across déc...
Marble
$2,400
H 11.25 in W 12.5 in D 7.5 in
A 17th Century Mounted French Limestone Carving of a Winged Angel
Located in Dallas, TX
Originally part of a larger architectural from a French building in the 1600s, this hand-carved limestone fragment of a winged angel has been mounted more recently to a painted black...
Stone, Limestone, Metal
Pair of 19th Century Busts
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of 19th century busts. These are 2 19th century Gesso painted busts of 2 archaeologists of the period. Measurements: 69 x 62 x 28 Y 65 x 60 x 30 Good condition.
Gesso
19th Century Italian Marble Bust of Aphrodite
Located in Houston, TX
19th century Italian marble bust of Aphrodite. Our antique Italian Carrara marble bust of Aphrodite is expertly carved and rests on a...
Marble
17th Century Spanish Carved Polychrome Bust of Christ on Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in Spain, circa 1680, this antique carved wooden bust depicts the head of Christ with a strikingly expressive, devotional presence typical of the Haute Époque period. The scu...
Gesso, Walnut
19th Century Italian Classical Marble Bust of Venus Chiurazzi
Located in New York, NY
Psyche of Capua. White marble bust of Venus, after antique. Italy, late 19th century. Inscribed, 'Chiurazzi.' Measures: 21 in. (53.3 cm) height.
Carrara Marble
$803Sale Price|45% Off
H 9.26 in W 10.63 in D 3.35 in
French 18th Century Hand Carved Baroque Winged Angel Head
Located in Buisson, FR
Wonderful hand carved winged angel head with its original color and gilding. France, circa 1750 Weathered and small losses and old repair. Treated against woodworm. Measurement here...
Wood
$826Sale Price|49% Off
H 14.97 in W 3.55 in D 3.55 in
French 17th Century Weathered Carved Oak Christ Fragment
Located in Buisson, FR
Very nice carved oak fragment of a Christ figure with a strong expression. Beautiful weathered , France circa 1600-1700. Weathered, and losses. Measurement with the base
Oak
Wooden Sculpture of a Woman, France, 1960s
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Elegant abstract wooden sculpture depicting a stylized female figure in a graceful dancing pose. Hand-carved from solid wood, the elongated proportions and fluid organic lines are ch...
Wood
$2,498
H 20.87 in W 3.94 in D 6.7 in
17th Century Spanish Baroque Carved Virgin Immaculate with Silver Crown
Located in Madrid, ES
A deeply evocative Spanish Baroque carving of the Virgin Immaculate, dating from the 17th century. Executed in carved and polychromed wood, the figure is shown in prayer with hands j...
Wood
$4,699Sale Price|41% Off
H 16.93 in W 13.39 in D 7.88 in
Carved Wooden Reliquary Bust of A Madonna, Italian, Circa 1650-1750
Located in Buisson, FR
Spectacular and very decorative piece. Large carved wooden reliquary bust of a Madonna. Beautiful traces of color. Small losses and without the relics. Silver/silvered central piece ...
Wood
19th Century Marble bust of Madame Récamier.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality classical 19th Century French marble sculpture of Madame Récamier. Jeanne Françoise Julie Adélaïde Récamier, known ...
Marble
Sold
H 27.96 in W 17.72 in D 13.78 in
Large Bust Of Corneille Van Cleve In Terracotta After Caffieri Jean-jacques
By Jacques Caffieri
Located in BARSAC, FR
Magnificent terracotta bust representing the sculptor Corneille Van Cleve (1645-1732) after a work by Jean-Jacques Caffieri (Paris, 04/29/1725 - Paris, 06/21/1792). Old work from the 19th century. Ideal for an 18th century decor...
Terracotta
Large Plaster Bust Of Prince De Condé From The 19th Century
Located in BARSAC, FR
Impressive bust of Louis II de Bourbon-Condé, cousin of the king, great soldier and great strategist, known as the bust of the Grand Condé after Antoine Coisevox (1640, 1720) 19th c...
Plaster
Huge Antique Bust French Marie Antoinette Copy of Le Comte 1783
Located in Buxton, GB
This stunning huge sculpture is a life-size antique bust and is a copy of that by the French nobleman Le Comte 1783, crafted in 1900 using painted plaster and carved by hand. The pi...
Plaster, Paint
Louis XIV Style Terra Cotta Bust of Boy, Louis Joseph Xavier François
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique French Louis XIV style terra cotta bust sculpture of boy in peruke and lace collar, circa 1880. Possibly Louis Joseph Xavier François de France, incised "Made in France" on base, circa 1880. Louis Joseph de France (Louis Joseph Xavier François; 22 October 1781 – 4 June 1789) was the second child and elder son of King Louis XVI of France...
Terracotta