Known as the “Citizen King,” Louis Philippe reigned from 1830 to the Revolution of 1848 with the support of the upper bourgeoisie. Whereas the monarchs of 18th-century France, including Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI, dictated aesthetics through the decadence of the aristocratic court, Louis Philippe had a more down-to-earth presence. He could be seen walking the streets like an ordinary person, carrying his own umbrella and shaking hands with subjects. Antique Louis Philippe–style furniture reflects a sense of simplicity and the sovereign’s passion for the country’s history, such as his establishment of a Museum of the History of France at Versailles, which had been mostly disused since the French Revolution.
Middle Ages, Gothic and Renaissance design informed a nationalist style that celebrated this heritage, with the hodgepodge of influences becoming prevalent in the homes of the bourgeoisie. Cabinetmakers Guillaume and Jean-Michel Grohé created reproductions of historic pieces for the king as well as royal houses abroad. Louis Philippe commissioned sculptor François Rude to create patriotic monuments that paid tribute to military heroes, while designs for furniture published by Claude-Aimé Chenavard, an ornamentalist who conceived widely loved objects for the Sèvres manufactory, further helped spread a revival of Renaissance style.
The rounded profiles of authentic Louis Philippe tables and chairs were preferred in the apartments rather than palaces being furnished by the affluent middle and upper classes. Ornamentation was minimal on the finely crafted pieces, such as large rectangular mirrors adorned with gold and silver leaf finishes and subdued carvings. The popular Louis Philippe commodes were solidly made with clean lines that showed off the grain of the wood and were often topped with marble surfaces.
Find a collection of antique Louis Philippe seating, dining tables, bedroom furniture and other items on 1stDibs.
French 19th Century Louis Philippe Period Boulle Cave a Liqueur
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite French 19th century Louis Philippe period Tortoiseshell, brass, and ebonized Fruitwood Boulle cave a liqueur. The cave a liqueur is raised by ...
Brass
French 19th century Louis Philippe Period Baccarat Crystal and Ormolu fountain
By Baccarat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A high quality French 19th century Louis Philippe Period Baccarat Crystal and Ormolu water fountain. This most elegant fountain is raised by a square Ormolu base with a top decorative band of palmettes all below the cut diamond shaped Crystal support. The elongated Baccarat Crystal dispenser...
Crystal, Ormolu
$2,150
H 10 in W 13 in D 10 in
19th Century French Napoleon III Tantalus with Crystal Decanters and Cordials
Located in Dallas, TX
Create an elegant bar area with this exquisite antique cave à liqueur (Tantalus). Crafted in France circa 1870, this refined portable bar is built of ebonized mahogany with brass inl...
Bronze
$1,895
H 9.5 in Dm 10 in
Elegant French Baccarat Lion Handle Doré Bronze Cut Crystal Ormolu Ice Bucket
By Baccarat
Located in Roslyn, NY
Elegant and very fine French neoclassical Baccarat style lion handle doré bronze ormolu-mounted and diamond cut crystal ice/champagne bucket. Unsigned.
Crystal, Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century French André-Charles Boulle Style Cave à Liqueur
Located in Dallas, TX
The incredibly intricate brass inlay that embellishes the lid and front façade of this cave à liqueur is reminiscent of the technique utilized by Andre-Charles Boulle while hand-craf...
Metal, Brass
$18,500 / set
H 11.5 in Dm 5 in
Six-Piece Cut Crystal Liquors Set Four Decanters, Claret & Pitcher, 19th Century
By Baccarat
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This is a rare and exceptional 19th century crystal drinks set attributed to Baccarat. The service consists of four matching decanters, a claret jug and a matching water pitcher. Eac...
Crystal
$7,500
H 10.5 in W 14.25 in D 11.25 in
Antique French Baccarat Crystal Cave À Liqueur in Satinwood Case circa 1885-1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Superb antique French baccarat crystal and gold bronze Cave À Liqueur in fitted satinwood case, circa 1885-1890.
Crystal, Bronze
French Leather Faux Book Stack Cave a Liqueur, Circa 1900
Located in Dallas, TX
More information coming soon… This stack of four faux books opens to reveal a cave a liqueur with two decanters and five aperitif glasses. Dating to circa 1900, the French cave a l...
Metal, Brass
Baccarat Crystal Champagne Cooler
By Baccarat
Located in Northampton, GB
With Silvered Handles From our Barware collection, we are delighted to offer this Baccarat Crystal Champagne Cooler. The Champagne Cooler of Octagonal shape with a tapered heavy cry...
Crystal, Silver Plate
$2,218
H 9.45 in W 12.6 in D 9.45 in
19th Century Napoleon III Liquor Cabinet "Cave à Liqueur" with Crystal Interior
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful Napoleon III period "Cave à liqueur" liquor cabinet with inlaid brass en fruitwood veneer. The cabinet contains four carafes and 12 glasses on a wooden stand with bronze ...
Brass, Bronze
$395 / set
H 5.75 in Dm 2.63 in
Luxurious Pair of Estate Baccarat Crystal Lagny Wine Glasses, Early 20th Century
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
Lagny is one of Baccarat's most luxurious patterns, requiring high degree of expert workmanship on the complex designs of the cup, stem and base of each goblet. The pattern is no longer in production due to the hign cost of the labor intensive manufacturing process. Lagny pairs well with Tsar and Bogota Baccarat stemware...
Crystal
$1,995
H 10 in W 8.25 in D 7.875 in
French Napoleon III Period Ebonized Crystal Cave a Liqueur Service Set
Located in Forney, TX
A charming period Napoleon III Second Empire (1852-1870) brass accented ebonized wood and crystal French cave à liqueur. France, mid-19th century, an object of practical use as well as beauty, add a touch of sophisticated elegance and refinement to your next dinner party with this scarce antique cave à liqueur (petite liquour caddy), featuring an ebonized wooden box-form case inlaid with brass string banding, the locking case opens by turning the original key to release the latch lock mechanism then gently lifting the hinged top and front panel, revealing a richly figured mahogany fitted interior, housing a lovely assembled etched crystal liqueur service, including a pair of hand blown crystal decanters decorated in elegant flowing fiolate vine etchings with matching stoppers, accompanied by eight stemmed cordial drinking glasses with geometric etching patern; the folding panels can stay in the up/open position when in use or for display, or press the hinge mechanism to close the panels, then you can lock it and remove the key to secure the contents, the case is finished on all sides so it can be placed anywhere in the room, all raised on short turned feet. circa 1860 Dimensions: (approx) Closed: 10" High, 8.25" Wide, 7 7/8" Deep; Open: 15.25" High, 8.25" Wide, 10" Deep; 5.5lbs Total **Additional photos available upon request** CONDITION REPORT: Good antique condition with nicely aged warm worn patina and desirable unrestored original finish. Wear consistent with 160 years of age, use, handling and exposure, including retaining antique character marks and charm throughout, worn distressed original ebony finish, with scattered nicks, scuffs, scratches, rough spots and very minor chippy paint losses. The imperfections not noticeable in most lighting or at most angles, however we went way out of our way to make sure to capture the flaws in the photos to try and be as transparent and upfront as possible. Please be sure to inspect all the photos. Overall a wonderful assembled set, sturdy, stable, structurally sound, all crystal intact with typical wear but no cracks or damage. Overall a wonderful example, with nothing that detracts from the aesthetics or functionality but only adds to the sophisticated elegance, warmth, antique character, classic refinement, and rich historical depth that can only be acquired over very long periods of time! Keywords: cave a liqueur serving set tantalus bar...
Crystal, Brass
$1,895
H 9 in Dm 8.25 in
Elegant French Baccarat Lion Handle Bronze Cut Crystal Ormolu Ice Bucket Cooler
By Baccarat
Located in Roslyn, NY
An elegant French Baccarat style lion handle, dore bronze cut and etched crystal ormolu ice bucket cooler Measures: 9" height x 8 1/4" diameter.
Crystal, Bronze
$4,851
H 11.42 in W 14.57 in D 11.82 in
Antique French Bacarrat Ormolu & Glass Tantalus Cave a Liqueur 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is an exquisite antique French Napoleon III Bacarrat ormolu and glass Cave a Liqueur, or tantalus, circa 1860 in date. The Cave a Liqueur features an ormolu case with glass pa...
Bronze, Ormolu
Sold
H 10.5 in W 12.75 in D 9.5 in
French Burl Walnut Ebony & Mother of Pearl Inlaid Tantalus with Bun Feet C. 1860
Located in Charleston, SC
French burl walnut ebony, brass, and mother of pearl inlaid Tantalus with hinged folding top, flanking hinged sides, cross banded tulip wood, original locking mechanism with key, fitted interior with gilt crystal bar ware...
Crystal, Brass
French Louis Philippe Period Boxwood Wine Corking Tool, Mid-19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Used to cork wine bottles at the perfect depth this device is made of boxwood and retains its original leather strap.
Ile du Diable Prisoner of War Mahogany and Brass Cigar Cutter
Located in London, by appointment only
An Ile du Diable prisoner of war mahogany and brass cigar cutter made in the form of a guillotine.
Mahogany
French Inlaid Tantalus Set
Located in Hixson, TN
A fine French Tantalus set. Superb inlay applied to this case. The woods are maple, walnut, and mahogany. On the top is a centered piece of mother of pear...