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.
Marble tile with Dove of the Holy Spirit - Veneto, 17th century
Located in Vicenza, IT
Rectangular tile carved from white Carrara marble with inserts of red marble from France, probably made in the Veneto area during the 17th century. In the center of the composition i...
Marble
18th Century Louis XIV Wood Plume Fragment on Stand
Located in New Orleans, LA
18th-Century Louis XIV Large Wooden Fragment – A grand, hand-carved architectural element in the shape of a plume or Fleur-de-Lis, showcasing the bold, regal aesthetic of the Louis X...
Wood
Natural Red Coral Mounted on 18th Century Giltwood Fragment
Located in Bradenton, FL
A hand-crafted sculpture specimen of natural red coral branches mounted on a 18th century giltwood urn fragment base with sea shell trim.
Coral
$1,504Sale Price|32% Off
H 12.6 in W 7.88 in D 5.52 in
French, 18th Century Carved Stone Head Fragment
Located in Buisson, FR
Magnificent carved stone head fragment with a very beautiful and strong expression. France, circa 1750. Beautiful weathered and small losses. Measurement is with the wooden base. H:3...
Stone
18th Century 'Florence Fragment' with a Calcite Crystal Cluster on Bobeche
By Interi
Located in Dublin, Dalkey
18th century Italian fragment with a calcite crystal cluster in matrix mounted on a Italian glass bobeche base. The fragment is from a church in Florence. It was found and saved f...
Rock Crystal
Natural Red Coral Mounted on 18th Century Giltwood Fragment
Located in Bradenton, FL
A rather large hand-crafted sculpture specimen of natural red coral branches mounted on a 18th century giltwood urn fragment base.
Coral
Bronze Head of the Buddha, 17th Century, Thailand
Located in Stamford, CT
A Thai bronze head of Buddha, Ayutthaya period, late 16th-early 17th century. His face with serene expression, arched eyebrows above incised eyes and ...
Bronze
Natural Red Coral Mounted on 18th Century Giltwood Fragment
Located in Bradenton, FL
A hand-crafted sculpture specimen of natural red coral branches mounted on a 18th century giltwood urn fragment base.
Coral
17th Century Thai Bronze Bust Of The Buddha
Located in Stamford, CT
A Thai bronze head of the Buddha. Sukothai period, late 16th-early 17th century. His face with serene expression, arched eyebrows above incised eyes a...
Bronze
Natural Coral Mounted On 18th Century Fragment
Located in Bradenton, FL
A rather large hand-crafted sculpture specimen of natural coral branches mounted on a 18th century wooden fragment base.
Coral
$1,056Sale Price|52% Off
H 19.3 in W 18.51 in D 8.67 in
Italian 18th Century Gilded Paper Mache Dove/ Holy Spirit
Located in Buisson, FR
Amazing gilded paper mache dove/ Holy spirit. Beautiful detailed. The Dove is a symbol for the Holy Spirit inspired by Jesus’s baptism. The dove has been used among many Christian de...
Paper
18th Century Wood Hand Carved Angel Fragment
Located in Bradenton, FL
Beautiful weathered 18th century Italian carved wood angel fragment.
Wood
Natural Red Coral Mounted On 18th Century Gilt Wood Fragment
Located in Bradenton, FL
Hand-crafted sculpture specimen of natural red coral branches mounted on 18th century gilt wood fragment base. 11.5 inches in height. Perfect for your "Cabinet of Curiosities".
Coral
17th Century Italian Carrara Marble Bust of a Classical Roman
Located in Houston, TX
17th century Italian carrara marble bust of a Classical Roman. Finely carved Classical Roman Carrara marble bust sculpture from the 17th ce...
Marble
Pair of 17/18th Century French Louis XIV Bronze Ornaments
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful pair of bronze Louis XIV ornaments with heads. The once grazed a piece of furniture. Traces of fire gilding visible. France, circa 1680-1715. Weathered. Measurement here ...
Bronze
Carved Giltwood Sunburst with Clock Signed Lepaute a Paris
Located in Nashville, TN
Highly decorative with two levels of carved rays centred by a clock signed Lepaute a Paris. The clock with porcelain dial over a metal form. Glass convex cover (which can be silvered...