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.
13-Piece Early 20th Century Crystal Liquor Set - Moser
By Moser
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A lovely crystal liquor set, made by the famous brand Moser Karlsbad. The glasses have a beautiful green gradient colour and gold colored accents. The matching decanter makes this ...
Rock Crystal
Pair of 19th Century French Louis XV Silvered and Crystal Wine Decanters
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1860, this exquisite pair of Louis XV–style wine decanters blends hand-blown crystal with finely detailed silvered and parcel-gilt mounts. Each decanter featu...
Crystal, Silver Plate
Rococo Style Liquor Bar Tantalus Liquor Cabinet with Bronze Mounts, 1920s
Located in Barntrup, DE
Elegant French Rococo or Louis XV style Liquor Cabinet or Tantalus / Cave à liqueur, circa the 1920s, made of precious wood veneers and decorated with bronze mounts. Set contains a ...
Bronze
20th century Louis XV Style Silver Plate Champagne Cooler, 1950s
Located in LEGNY, FR
Very beautiful Louis XV style silver plate champagne cooler in very good condition. Medici shape with two handles. Nice quality.
Silver Plate
Abalone Seashell and Acrylic Bar Kitchen Table Trivet
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful abalone seashell and two-tone acrylic bar, table or kitchen trivet, circa mid-20th century, USA. Colors include beautiful pearl pink and gr...
Abalone, Acrylic
Art Deco Spanish Recipes Cocktail Shaker “the Barman“, France, 1920s
By Ghiso
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Art Deco cocktail shaker “The Barman" France These shaker where sold by Ghiso. Art Deco metal cocktail shaker “The Barman". It has the paper recipe too. A v...
Brass
$2,062 / set
H 9.85 in W 21.26 in D 2.37 in
Vintage Silver Plated Caviar & Champagne Cooler 20th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a gorgeous Vintage silver plated caviar and champagne / vodka cooler set. It comprises four glass caviar dishes and silver plated covers, a champagne/wine cooler in the centr...
Silver Plate
$4,760Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 7.25 in Dm 3.5 in
Ten Moser Gilt Enameled Cobalt Paneled Goblets, C 1930s
By Moser
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning set of ten Moser gilt-enameled cobalt paneled goblets. Each goblet features a unique and striking design, characterized by eight raised cobalt pa...
Crystal
$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
Set of Ten English Cut Crystal Wine Glasses
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful set of ten mid-20th century English Stuart crystal wine glasses with wheel and panel cut design including thumbprint impression...
Crystal
$375 / set
H 2.25 in W 11.25 in D 7.75 in
Vintage, Boxed Barmates by Glo-Hill Bar Tools, with Amber Bakelite Handles
By Glo Hill
Located in Nantucket, MA
Four piece boxed bar tool set by Glo-Hill for their Barmates line, in chrome with amber Bakelite handles.
Chrome
Cut Crystal Glass Set of 2 Tumblers Barware Handcrafted in Italy
By Corinna Warm, WARM
Located in Santa Monica, CA
The 'Well' collection was conceived to elevate and celebrate drinking water in a vessel worthy of its importance. In collaboration with Italian crystal company Mario Cioni, Designer Corinna Warm created a unique, handcrafted, mouth blown, cut crystal water carafe...
Crystal
Napoleonic Tantalus Liquor Cabinet, 19th Century
Located in North Palm Beach, FL
Presenting an exquisite antique French Tantalus liquor cabinet that transports you back to the elegance of the mid to late 1800s. This remarkab...
Brass
Baccarat Crystal Champagne Flutes, Set of 8
By Valéry Klein, Baccarat
Located in Miami, FL
A truly elegant and fine quality Baccarat crystal champagne flutes, set of 8 still available. Beautiful details that will enhance any table and delight your guests. Designed by Valer...
Crystal
$1,500
H 9.85 in W 11.82 in D 11.42 in
19th Century French Cave à Liqueur - Marquetry Wood - Crystal Decanters and Glas
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A refined 19th century French cave à liqueur, beautifully decorated with intricate marquetry in various woods. The hinged lid is inlaid with the word Liqueurs in elegant script, surr...
Crystal
$2,432Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 10.83 in W 14.77 in D 11.82 in
19th Century Walnut and Glazed Liquor Cabinet or Tantalus
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
Step into the elegance of 19th-century France with this magnificent antique liquor cabinet, likely crafted from fine walnut wood. Known for its ...
Crystal, Brass
Rare Solid Bronze Etched Glass Regency Tantatlus Set Circa 1900
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is an outstanding solid bronze French Louis XV style 1890-1900s era tantalus set with a complete set of two different kinds of cordials and decanters. It has its original key an...
Bronze
Sold
H 56.25 in W 20.75 in D 10.5 in
Vintage French Louis XV Carved Pine 20-Bottle Wine Cabinet Titled "Sauvignon"
Located in Dallas, TX
This narrow, antique wine storage cabinet was crafted in western France using old timber. Built of pine wood, the tall and thin cabinet si...
Pine
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Style Silver Plate Champagne Bucket
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This early twentieth century French silver plate champagne bucket features a classic Louis XV style spiraling scallop on the sides. The bucket is appointed with a handle on each side...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 64.5 in W 19.25 in D 13 in
French Louis XV Carved Pine 18 Wine Bottles "Cave a Vin" Display Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
This narrow, antique wine storage cabinet was crafted in western France using old timber. Built of pine wood, the tall and thin cabinet sits on four small scroll feet under a scalloped apron. The piece features six shelves embellished with decorative carvings and each row holds three bottles, for a total of 18. The wine storage is decorated with the words “Petrus Cave” printed on the front. The cabinet is in excellent condition commensurate with age and use, and adorns a rich walnut patina; it would make a useful addition to a kitchen or wine cellar without taking up too much room. Château Pétrus is a Bordeaux, France, wine estate located in the Pomerol appellation near its eastern border to Saint-Émilion. A small estate of just 11.4 hectares (28 acres), it produces a red wine entirely from Merlot grapes (since the end of 2010), and produces no second wine. Although the wines of Pomerol have never been classified, Pétrus is widely regarded as the outstanding wine of the appellation. Pétrus leads a duo of Pomerol estates in extreme prices, along with Le Pin, that rank consistently among the world's most expensive wines. Indeed, a 750ml bottle of Pétrus wine...
Pine
Sold
H 69 in W 14.75 in D 12 in
French Louis XV Carved Pine 21 Wine Bottle Display "Cave a Vin" Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
This narrow, antique wine storage cabinet was crafted in western France using old timber. Built of pine wood, the tall and thin cabinet si...
Pine
Sold
H 16.8 in W 15.8 in D 1.3 in
Coolest French Antique Silver Plated Champagne Bucket / Wine Cooler, circa 1900
Located in Lisse, NL
Probably unique and certainly remarkable antique cooler. If you are looking for the perfect decorative bottle cooler for your home or restaurant then ...
Silver Plate, Brass
Sold
H 10.25 in W 3.5 in D 3.5 in
Early 20th Century French Blown Glass and Repousse Pewter Wine Carafe Decanter
Located in Dallas, TX
Serve your favorite Bordeaux with style in this elegant antique decanter. Crafted in France circa 1920, the carafe stands on a round silver base over the blown glass, and dressed wit...
Pewter
Sold
H 67.25 in W 11 in D 12 in
French Louis XV Carved Fourteen Wine Bottle Storage Cabinet "Cave a Vin"
Located in Dallas, TX
This narrow, antique wine cabinet was crafted in western France using old timber. The tall, thin, simple pine cabinet sits on small scroll feet un...
Pine
Sold
H 79 in W 30.75 in D 18 in
19th Century French Louis XV Carved Walnut Thirty Five Wine Bottles Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
Keep your wine bottles locked and safe in this elegant antique display cabinet. Crafted in western France circa 1860, the bonnetiere stands on scrolled fee...
Walnut
Sold
H 54.75 in W 13 in D 13 in
French Louis XV Carved Patinated Ten Wine Bottle Display "Cave a Vin" Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
This narrow, antique wine storage cabinet was crafted in western France using old timber. Built of pine wood, the tall and thin cabinet si...
Pine
French Louis XV Style Gilt Metal Mounted Tantalus / Bar
Located in Manhasset, NY
French Louis XV style gilt metal mounted Tantalus / bar. An almost perfect 19th century Tantalus set having a satin wood inlaid and bronze mounted box that fully opens to displace a ...
Metal
Sold
H 29 in W 16 in D 16 in
Late 19th Century Walnut Planter or Jardinière, Lemonwood Inlay and Brass Insert
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This late 19th century French walnut jardinière or plant stand features bombe sides and gently curved legs detailed with an inset border of inlaid lemon wood and ebonized pear wood. ...
Brass