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.
Mercury and Fame on Pegasus Patinated Bronzes by Eugène Cornu, Circa 1880
By Eugène Cornu
Located in London, GB
Mercury and Fame Seated on Pegasus After Antoine Coysevox (1640-1720) Cast by Eugène Cornu (1827-1899) Mounted on Rouge de Languedoc marble bases, the patinated bronze sculptures r...
Bronze
A Large French Bronze Sculpture "Amalthea & Jupiter's Goat" after Pierre Julien
Located in Tarzana, 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...
Bronze
French Gilt Bronze Sculpture Statue Marble Base, circa 19th C.
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful, small. French gilt bronze statue in the style of sculptor Hippolyte Francois Moreau, circa late-19th century, France. This gilt ...
Marble, Bronze
French 19th c. Louis XIV St. Bronze, Ormolu, & Boulle Statue Of King Louis XIV
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most impressive French 19th century Louis XIV st. patinated Bronze, Ormolu, and Boulle statue of King Louis XIV. This wonderful statue is modeled after the statue of Louis XIV in the middle of the Place des Victoires, Paris. The statue is raised on a rectangular stepped Boulle pedestal with its Brass inlays atop a Tortoiseshell background within an ebony frame. This wonderfully detailed pedestal is also decorated with an upped and lower Ormolu Coeur-de-Rai band that serves as the plinth and capital. Atop the Boulle designed pedestal is a patinated Bronze rearing horse...
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of French Louis XIV Period 1690s Carved Cherub Appliques from Strasbourg
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Louis XIV period late 17th century carved cherub appliques from Strasbourg, with scrolling design. Born in the Alsacien city of Strasbourg in 1690s (which was annexe...
Wood
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
17th century Louis XIV Stone Garden Sculpture of Playing Children
Located in Troy, NY
Important and very charming stone group of children, one watching over his sleeping companion. Sculpted In the spirit of the "Marmousets" where, along the "Allee d'Eau", similar sto...
Limestone
Large Patinated Bronze Group of Fame After the Model by Antoine Coysevox
By Coyzevox
Located in New York, NY
A Marvelous and Large 19th Century French Patinated Bronze group of Fame After the Model by Antoine Coysevox. The sculpture depicts the allegorical figure of Fame seated side-saddle...
Bronze
Coppia di Medaglioni in Marmo Profili di Papi fine XVII
Located in Pistoia, IT
Pair of marble medallions depicting the profiles of Popes Gregory VIII and Leo IX. Italia, bottega romana, fine XVII-inizi XVIII secolo. Gregorio VIII, nato Alberto di Morra (1100...
Marble
Italian 17th Century Louis XIV Period White Carrara Marble Statue
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A magnificent Italian 17th century Louis XIV period, circa 1680 white carrara marble statue of a man and his dog. The striking statue, carved out of one solid marble block, is raised on a rectangular base. The extremely well sculpted statue...
Carrara Marble
Bronze Hound with Ball Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Bronze Hound with Ball Sculpture. Antique Italian bronze hound modeled prone playing with a ball between its front paws on a low Roman Rosso Antico base. “Red Antique” inscribed in ...
Marble, Bronze
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...
Bronze
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
French Bronze Figures Allégorie du Printemps Barbedienne
Located in Newark, England
OPPOSING PAIR OF BRONZE FIGURES Form our Bronze Sculpture collection, we are delighted to offer this French opposing pair of Bronze Figures Allégorie du Printemps by Ferdinand Barb...
Bronze
19th Century Pradier French Bronze Figure Signed
Located in Queens, NY
French (19th Cent) bronze of 17th century figure with book and quill sitting in chair (signed PRADIER)
Bronze
Madonna In Lacquered Wood H160cm, 17th Century Period
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Madonna from the 17th century, in lacquered and carved wood, life-size: she stands, wrapped in her veils, her hands in prayer. This sculpture must have been leaning against a wal...
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
$5,250Sale Price / set|30% Off
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.
Bronze
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
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
FRENCH SCULPTOR 17TH CENTURY, Sculpture "Saint Mary Magdalene"
Located in Madrid, ES
FRENCH SCULPTOR 17TH CENTURY, Sculpture "Saint Mary Magdalene" Sculpture from the Louis XIV era in carved wood with a contemporary base 45 x 35 ...
Wood
Large Putti Sculpture In Lacquered Wood, Italy, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Large sculpture in cream lacquered carved wood, representing 2 putti on a large vase, celebrating a bacchanal: one of them has a head surrounded by a crown of flowers and brandishes ...
Wood
CENTRAL ITALY SCHOOL Pair of Sculptures Louis XIV "Angels" late 17th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
CENTRAL ITALY SCHOOL Pair of Sculptures from the Louis XIV era "Angels" late 17th Century in carved and silver lacquered wood on contemporary bases lacquered with imitation red marb...
Wood
Pair Large French Griffin Architectural Giltwood Statues
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of majestic French 19th century carved 23k giltwood mythological Griffin sculptures. Expertly carved. These impressive one of kind griffin sculptures (or statues) were architect...
Wood, Giltwood
$1,085 / set
H 13.78 in W 8.67 in D 3.94 in
Pair of Carved Wood Baroque Style Wall Decors with Deer and Ibex Figures
Located in Barntrup, DE
A pair of beautiful Baroque style polychrome carved wood wall decors depicting deer and ibex figures. Painted in brown, green, red, and golden c...
Wood, Paint
$3,100
H 20.75 in Dm 7.5 in
19th Century French Marble Base Bronze Sculpture "Escholier" Signed E. Picault
Located in Dallas, TX
This beautiful antique bronze figure, was created in France, circa 1880. The realistic sculpture, titled on the front: "Escholier, 14eme Siecle", (meaning middle French, 14th century...
Bronze
19th Century Bronze Sculpture "The Letter"
Located in Rochester, NY
Antique bronze sculpture of man reading a letter or proclamation. Marble base, 19th century. Unsigned.
Bronze
$2,900
H 16 in W 19 in D 8.5 in
Mid-Century French Patinated Bronze Horse Sculpture After Pierre Lenordez
By Pierre Lenordez
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate an office or study with this beautiful horse sculpture. Created in France circa 1950 and attributed to Pierre Lenordez, the composition depict...
Bronze
$1,020
H 4.14 in W 8.86 in D 3.15 in
Lovely 19th Century Victorian Gold Gilt Bronze Recumbent Lion Laying Down
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this stunning late 19th century Italian grand tour Recumbent Lion A very good looking and decorative piece that looks expensive and important in any set...
Bronze
19th Century Bronze Statue of Bartolomeo Colleoni
Located in Esbeek, NL
This patinated bronze statue is after the original Renaissance sculpture which was executed by Andrea del Verrocchio in 1480–1488, in Italy. Exac...
Bronze
$1,375 / set
H 39.5 in W 20 in D 3 in
Pair of Hand-Painted Carved Wall Hangings, Grey Composition, 1980s
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Pair of impressive wall hanging solid composition hand painted in grey, with two different bouquet or flowers.
Composition
Pair of French Gilded Zinc Horse Heads
Located in Essex, MA
Finely sculpted each with a mane. Each with rings for hanging. Old gilded surface.
Zinc
$6,698 / set
H 18.51 in W 12.21 in D 5.91 in
Pair of 19th Century Swiss Carved Black Forest Trophy Plaques Hunting Deer Stag
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Stunning craftsmanship! This pair of 19th century Black Forest hunting Trophy plaques from Brienz Switzerland. Fully carved from solid ...
Walnut
$15,800
H 14.75 in W 4.25 in D 3.25 in
19th Century French Ormolu Sculpture of a Baccante, by Jean-Léon Gérôme
By Jean-Léon Gérôme
Located in New York, NY
A gorgeous 19th century French ormolu sculpture of a Baccante, by Jean-Léon Gérôme. This incredible sculpture is by Jean-Léon Gérôme (French, 1824-1904), one of the most famous and i...
Bronze
$10,032
H 36.62 in W 15.36 in D 10.63 in
"Florentine Singer" Bronze Sculpture by P. Dubois and F. Barbedienne, Circa 1880
By Ferdinand Barbedienne, Paul Dubois
Located in PARIS, FR
Signed P. Dubois 1865 and F. Barbedienne fondeur Stamped with réduction mécanique Collas A patinated bronze « Florentine Singer » sculpture, inspir...
Bronze
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
Sold
H 32.88 in W 9.65 in D 6.7 in
Religious Sculpture of Saint in Carved Natural Wood, Late 17th Early 18th France
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Beautiful and large sculpture of a saint, probably Saint Véronique, in hand-carved natural wood. Beautiful religious object. Standing, she has her head down and her arms crossed in f...
Wood
Sold
H 11.22 in W 7.68 in D 4.72 in
Late 17th Century French Gilt Bronze Figure of Venus on Boulle Pedestal
Located in PARIS, FR
Late 17th century French Gilt Bronze Figure of a Crouching Venus Gilt bronze crouching Venus on a pedestal decorated with Boulle marquetry and...
Bronze
Virgin and Child, 17th century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Virgin and Child, 17th century Louis XIV period, walnut wood, France late 17th century Reliquary place Height: 38 cm ref 3239
Wood
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...
Boxwood
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
Large 19th Century French Bronze "Chevaux De Marly" After Coustou
By Guillaume Coustou
Located in Nashville, TN
After the model by Guillaume Coustou (French, 1677-1746). Sculpture depicting a rearing horse restrained by a semi clad male attendant, on a naturalistic base. The present bronze...
Bronze
Sold
H 18 in W 72 in L 18 in
Mid-18th Century Carved Oak Wall Sculpture with Kingdom of France Coat of Arms
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a man's study or an over door with this important antique carving. Crafted in France circa 1650 and made of oakwood, the six foot carved piece features two winged angels wit...
Oak
Abstract Sculpture
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine gilt Fleur de Lis, resting on a circular base. Measures: W 22" H 34" D 9.5" (at the base).
Composition
Sculpture of Louis XIV Silver Bronze and Pedestal Marble Cherry
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sculpture of Louis XIV silver bronze and pedestal marble cherry, 19th century Measures: H 49cm, W 43cm, W 20cm.
Marble, Bronze