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Louis XV Sculptures

LOUIS XV STYLE

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.

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Style: Louis XV
19th Century, French Terracotta Bust and Marble Base with Nobleman
Located in IT
Terracotta bust depicting nobleman, marble base, 19th century, France The refined bust depicts a nobleman dressed according to the fashion of the mid-eighteenth century in France. T...
Category

19th Century French Antique Louis XV Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

19th Century, French Terracotta Bust and Marble Base with Nobleman
19th Century, French Terracotta Bust and Marble Base with Nobleman

19th Century, French Terracotta Bust and Marble Base with Nobleman

Carved Oak Sculpture of a Saint, 18th Century, Louis XV.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Carved oak sculpture of a Saint, 18th century, Louis XV. An 18th century Louis XV carved oak sculpture of a Saint. H: 58cm, W: 20cm, D: 20cm
Category

18th Century French Antique Louis XV Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Carved Oak Sculpture of a Saint, 18th Century, Louis XV.
Carved Oak Sculpture of a Saint, 18th Century, Louis XV.

Carved Oak Sculpture of a Saint, 18th Century, Louis XV.

Pair of French 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Candelabra with Cherubs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine pair of French 19th century Louis XV style figural gilt bronze and rouge marble six-light candelabra, each with a figure of a standing cherub holding the ornate scrolled arm candelabra, crowned with a gilt bronze candle snuffer...
Category

19th Century French Antique Louis XV Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Pair of French 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Candelabra with Cherubs
Pair of French 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Candelabra with Cherubs

Pair of French 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Candelabra with Cherubs

A Superb Terracotta Lion, French 18th century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A superb terracotta lion, French 18th century Height: 70 cm Width: 38 cm Depth: 82 cm. Provenance: Private Australian Collection acquired in 1990s.
Category

18th Century French Antique Louis XV Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

A Superb Terracotta Lion, French 18th century
A Superb Terracotta Lion, French 18th century

A Superb Terracotta Lion, French 18th century

Pair of 19th Century French Gilt and Patinated Bronze Cherubs as Candelabra
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
These are impressive pair of 19th century gilt metal candelabra held by an exquisitely patinated bronze cherubs'. They are placed on...
Category

1860s French Antique Louis XV Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of 19th Century French Gilt and Patinated Bronze Cherubs as Candelabra
Pair of 19th Century French Gilt and Patinated Bronze Cherubs as Candelabra

Pair of 19th Century French Gilt and Patinated Bronze Cherubs as Candelabra

Female Bust In Carrara Marble, Late 18th Century, Northern Italy
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Female Bust In Carrara Marble, Late 18th Century, Northern Italy
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Louis XV Sculptures

Materials

Carrara Marble

Female Bust In Carrara Marble, Late 18th Century, Northern Italy
Female Bust In Carrara Marble, Late 18th Century, Northern Italy

Female Bust In Carrara Marble, Late 18th Century, Northern Italy

Terracotta Representing a Child and a Bird in the Hand
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Terracotta representing a child and a bird in the hand, signed, early 20th century, Louis XV style. Measures: H: 24 cm, W: 32 cm, D: 15 cm.
Category

Early 20th Century European Louis XV Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Terracotta Representing a Child and a Bird in the Hand
Terracotta Representing a Child and a Bird in the Hand

Terracotta Representing a Child and a Bird in the Hand

Important Terracotta Representing a Baby
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Important Terracotta representing a baby doll who writes, accompanied by his bird, early 20th century, Louis XV style. Measures: H: 42 cm, W: 40 cm, D: 30 cm.
Category

Early 20th Century European Louis XV Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Important Terracotta Representing a Baby
Important Terracotta Representing a Baby

Important Terracotta Representing a Baby

19th Century Pair of French Louis XV Metal Noblemen Busts
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of similar French Louis XV style (19th century) metal busts of 18th century style Noblemen (signed POLI).  
Category

19th Century Antique Louis XV Sculptures

Materials

Metal

19th Century Pair of French Louis XV Metal Noblemen Busts
19th Century Pair of French Louis XV Metal Noblemen Busts

19th Century Pair of French Louis XV Metal Noblemen Busts

19th Century French Bust of Queen Marie Leczinska after Versailles Original
By Coustou
Located in Queens, NY
French Sevres biscuit porcelain bust after Versailles original signed "1703-1768 Coustou." The bust portrays King Louis XV's Queen consort Mar...
Category

19th Century French Antique Louis XV Sculptures

Materials

Gold Leaf

19th Century French Bust of Queen Marie Leczinska after Versailles Original
19th Century French Bust of Queen Marie Leczinska after Versailles Original

19th Century French Bust of Queen Marie Leczinska after Versailles Original

19th Century, French Terracotta Bust and Marble base with Noblewoman
Located in IT
Terracotta bust depicting noblewoman, marble base, 19th century, France The refined bust, made of terracotta, depicts a noblewoman dressed according to the fashion of the mid-eighte...
Category

19th Century French Antique Louis XV Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

19th Century, French Terracotta Bust and Marble base with Noblewoman
19th Century, French Terracotta Bust and Marble base with Noblewoman

19th Century, French Terracotta Bust and Marble base with Noblewoman

Dancing Bacchantes and Putti after Clodion
By Claude Michel Clodion
Located in Paris, FR
Large bronze group with brown patina after Claude Michel, called Clodion (French, 1738-1814). The statuette features two young bacchantes and three putti. The bacchantes are crowned ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Louis XV Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Dancing Bacchantes and Putti after Clodion
Dancing Bacchantes and Putti after Clodion

Dancing Bacchantes and Putti after Clodion

18th Century French Louis XV Carved and Pierced Giltwood Wall Decor with Cherub
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a wall or dress a over-door with this elegant antique gilt carving. Crafted in Provence, France circa 1780, the element features a center cherub sculpture holding a flower b...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Louis XV Sculptures

Materials

Giltwood

18th Century French Louis XV Carved and Pierced Giltwood Wall Decor with Cherub
18th Century French Louis XV Carved and Pierced Giltwood Wall Decor with Cherub

18th Century French Louis XV Carved and Pierced Giltwood Wall Decor with Cherub

Pair of French Early 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Andirons Chenets
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of French Early 19th century Louis XV gilt bronze figural Chenets Andirons. The scrolled and pierced body, each surmounted with a figure of a young boy and a young girl, both ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Louis XV Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Pair of French Early 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Andirons Chenets
Pair of French Early 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Andirons Chenets

Pair of French Early 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Andirons Chenets

Cipri Adolf Bermann, German, 19th Century Gilt-Bronze Bacchus Herm Term
By Cipri Adolf Bermann
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cipri Adolf Bermann (German, 1862-1942) a very fine 19th century gilt-bronze miniature figure of a Bacchus Herm, depicting Bacchus, also known as Dionysus, the god of the grape harve...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Louis XV Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Cipri Adolf Bermann, German, 19th Century Gilt-Bronze Bacchus Herm Term
Cipri Adolf Bermann, German, 19th Century Gilt-Bronze Bacchus Herm Term

Cipri Adolf Bermann, German, 19th Century Gilt-Bronze Bacchus Herm Term

Paul Duboy, Bisque Statue Young Girl in a Ball Gown
Located in Paris, FR
This porcelain bisque statue depicts a young woman in a ball gown, holding a mask and a fan, in 18th century taste. She is wearing an elegant dress à la ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Louis XV Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Paul Duboy, Bisque Statue Young Girl in a Ball Gown
Paul Duboy, Bisque Statue Young Girl in a Ball Gown

Paul Duboy, Bisque Statue Young Girl in a Ball Gown

French Long Chenet Fire Fender with Putti, 19 Century
Located in Cypress, CA
Sensational and unique 19c French Louis XV style gilt bronze and steel large fire fender. On each corners depicting two cherubs in seated and reclin...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XV Sculptures

Materials

Bronze, Steel

French Long Chenet Fire Fender with Putti, 19 Century
French Long Chenet Fire Fender with Putti, 19 Century

French Long Chenet Fire Fender with Putti, 19 Century

Ormolu-Mounted Porcelain Horses by Samson Manufactory
By Samson & Cie
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of 20th century white porcelain horses on clouds, above rocaille bases richly decorated with scrollwork and openwork foliage. Both figures are marked underneath with two crossed...
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XV Sculptures

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Ormolu-Mounted Porcelain Horses by Samson Manufactory
Ormolu-Mounted Porcelain Horses by Samson Manufactory

Ormolu-Mounted Porcelain Horses by Samson Manufactory

Bronze Sculpture of the XIXth Century of Louis XV Style
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Bronze Sculpture of the XIXth Century of Louis XV Style Beautiful bronze sculpture of the XIXth century on its base in blackened wood of ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Louis XV Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Sculpture of the XIXth Century of Louis XV Style
Bronze Sculpture of the XIXth Century of Louis XV Style

Bronze Sculpture of the XIXth Century of Louis XV Style

Pair of Bronze Cherubs on Marble Bases
Located in London, by appointment only
A fine pair of mid-18th century French bronze cherubs standing contrapposto, one playing an instrument and the other holding a knife opening a oyster shell. Both standing besides tre...
Category

Mid-18th Century French Antique Louis XV Sculptures

Pair of Bronze Cherubs on Marble Bases
Pair of Bronze Cherubs on Marble Bases

Pair of Bronze Cherubs on Marble Bases

Pair 18th Century Louis XV Silvered Bronze Figures
Located in London, by appointment only
Beautiful pair of 18th century Louis XV silvered bronze musical cherubs on columns. The silvering on these delightful and elegantly sculpted pair exhibits the most wonderful aged col...
Category

18th Century French Antique Louis XV Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Pair 18th Century Louis XV Silvered Bronze Figures
Pair 18th Century Louis XV Silvered Bronze Figures

Pair 18th Century Louis XV Silvered Bronze Figures

Horseman in Carved Wood-18th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb horseman from the 18th century - France Very beautiful rare subject which probably represents a horseman during a hunt Very good quality of sculpture Superb original polych...
Category

18th Century French Antique Louis XV Sculptures

Materials

Fruitwood

Horseman in Carved Wood-18th Century
Horseman in Carved Wood-18th Century

Horseman in Carved Wood-18th Century

Louis Xv sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Louis XV sculptures for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, building and garden elements, lighting and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Louis XV sculptures made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original sculptures, popular names associated with this style include Affortunato Gory, Cipri Adolf Bermann, Claude Michel Clodion, 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 sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $695 and tops out at $845,000 while the average work can sell for $6,800.

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