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.
18th Century Hand-Painted Rouen Ceramic Platter with Scalloped Edge
Located in Winter Park, FL
A large 18th century Louis XV style French Rouen white glazed earthenware platter with scalloped edge, hand painted with blue and red decorative banded border and a stylized fruit ba...
Ceramic
Pair of Louis XV Style Porcelain and Bronze Candelabra
Located in Essex, MA
Each with central Macaw bird with trailing branches with carnations and roses. Each with three candle arms. Rocaille bronze bases.
Bronze
$1,306Sale Price|20% Off
Large Crescent Planter in Desvres Earthenware Signed Geo Martel, Early 20th
By Geo Martel
Located in Argenteuil, IDF
Beautiful crescent planter forming a centerpiece in Desvres faience decorated with lambrequins, bouquets of flowers and resting on four horned feet. Model number 688 and handwritten ...
Ceramic
$250
H 1.5 in W 18.5 in D 14.5 in
Majolica Hand Painted Ceramic Turkey Motif Thanksgiving Serving Tray or Platter
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A large oval Thanksgiving turkey serving platter. Created from ceramic, this large majolica platter will be a fabulous way to add a festive touch ...
Ceramic, Paint
19th Century French Hand Painted Ceramic Barbotine Fruit Wall Platter
By Longchamp
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a kitchen wall or a breakfast room with this large antique majolica plate. Sculpted in France circa 1880 in the manner of Longchamp, the colorful porcelain platter is decora...
Ceramic, Majolica
Pair of Silver Plated Louis XV Style Candelabra
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of silver plated bronze Louis XV candelabra. Five candles with beautifully worked body. Foliate. Silver in great condition.
Bronze
$379Sale Price|53% Off
H 1.78 in W 13.19 in D 9.85 in
Antique Rouen Platter, Glazed Earthenware, France, Circa 1750
Located in Buisson, FR
Rare Rouen plate with beautiful blue decoration. France, circa 1750 Good condition.
Earthenware
Early 20th Century Spongeware Mixing Bowl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early 20th century spongeware comes out of a rare set and is in excellent condition. This item has minor wear consistent with its age.
Ceramic
Hand Painted Scalloped French Plate /Bowl , 19th Century
Located in Ross, CA
19th century hand painted deep scalloped plate / bowl made in France.
Ceramic
$4,295 / set
H 26.5 in W 9 in D 9 in
Pair of 19th Century French Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Candelabras
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 19th century French Louis XV style gilt bronze candelabras. Outstanding finely detailed pair of antique French Napoleon ...
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Hand-Painted Faience Terrine from Rouen
By Rouen
Located in Verviers, BE
The designs on this French faience group is typical of pottery made in Rouen. Early 20th century French hand-painted Faience Terrine from Rouen. Marking on the bottom: "Rouen Fait...
Faience
Early 20th Century Spongeware Mixing Bowl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early 20th century mixing bowl comes from a rare collection of spongeware. This item has been well taken care of and is in pristine condition. There is minor wear that is consis...
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Amphora Enameled Pottery Vase
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This striking enameled pottery vase was made by Amphora and is decorated with stylized floral decoration set against a textured ground made up of variegated blue enamel paint on a me...
Pottery
$1,680Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.75 in W 14.38 in D 14.38 in
18th Century Spain Manises Valencia Ceramic Plate Lustre-Painted Decoration
Located in Epfach, DE
Beautiful lustreware plate from Manises, Valencia, early 18th century, Hispano Moresque, its oval well decorated with a striking depiction of a bird amid dense scrolling foliage — a ...
Ceramic, Earthenware, Majolica
$1,715Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 10 in W 8.5 in D 5 in
Louis XV Style Pair of Candelabra, Ormolu, France.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
This pair of bronze candelabras are high quality fire gilded with three candle cups each. These 19th century sculptural candle holders are in the Louis XV style. Starting at the ba...
Bronze
Sold
H 3.94 in Dm 5.52 in
Gien French Hand-Painted Faience "Pivoines" Set of Two Coffee Cups and Saucers
By Gien
Located in Cagliari, IT
Magnificent set of two coffee cups and saucers in hand-painted faience. The Gien Faïencerie is first established in 1821 in Gien in the Loire Valley, at the heart of France. Its history goes back two hundred years. Its founder is Thomas Hall...
Faience
Sold
H 14.97 in W 14.18 in D 7.88 in
19th Century Pair of Blue Enameled Faience Roosters Ormolu-Mounted Candelabras
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A 19th century pair of turquoise blue enameled faience roosters ormolu-mounted three lights candelabras. Louis XV style circa 1880 Fitted for electricity.
Ormolu
Sold
H 9.45 in W 17.72 in D 14.18 in
Gien Limited Edition French Hand-Painted Faience Soup Tureen and Stand
By Gien
Located in Cagliari, IT
Magnificent hand-painted soup tureen and stand copied from a 19th century model taken from the archives at the Faiencerie Museum in Louis XV style. Limited edition in mauve color of...
Faience
19th Century French Glazed Ceramic Stove
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This exquisite Rococo style French glazed ceramic stove has a middle section with two doors opening to reveal an oven section above four operable metal l...
Faience, Terracotta
Pair of 19th Century Urns
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality pair of French bisc lidded urns with gilded ormolu mounts in the Louis XV style.
Ormolu
Sold
H 16.54 in Dm 11.03 in
Pair of Faience Vases with Cover, Olérys and Laugier's Pottery Factory, Moustiers
By Olérys-Laugier
Located in Berlin, DE
A Pair of faience vases richly decorated with classical mythological scenes (Cupid and Psyche), flowers, foliage and two grotesque mask handles. ...
Ceramic