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 c. French Louis XV Chantilly Porcelain Dinner Plates in Blue & White Sprig
By Chantilly
Located in Litchfield, CT
Set 8 antique 18th century French Louis XV Chantilly porcelain dinner plates, circa 1760. Decorated with underglaze blue sprig on a bright white ground; the rims nicely scalloped. Ea...
Porcelain
Meissen porcelain holster plate, Neu Brandenstein motif
Located in Vicenza, IT
Finest white porcelain holster plate made by the famous Meissen manufactory, decorated exclusively with a rich relief pattern known as Neu Brandenstein, introduced around 1744. The b...
Porcelain
19th Century French Blue & White Faience Dinner Plate Sarreguemines
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century French blue and white faience dinner plate signed "Francois" Sarreguemines.
Ceramic, Faience
Meissen Porcelain Dinnerware Service for 12 People
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautiful German Meissen dinnerware service for twelve people with serving pieces. The dinnerware service is in great condition. Just exquisite & ve...
Gold
$2,125 / set
H 0.79 in Dm 9.45 in
44 - Piece 18th Century Viennese Blue and White Porcelain Dinner Plates Set
By Viennese Imperial Porcelain Manufactory
Located in Firenze, IT
An elegant forty-four (44) piece blue and white porcelain plates set with Floral and Insect decoration, a magnificent example of refined European ceramic and Austrian craftsmanship ...
Porcelain, Paint
Set of 13 plates Blue and White 18th Century China
Located in New York, NY
A set of 13 porcelain plates of excellent quality med in China during the Qing dynasty Qian Long 1736-1795. Richly decorated on both sides.
Porcelain
$7,500 / set
H 1.13 in Dm 9.25 in
Set of 12 Antique Meissen Porcelain 'Old Ozier' Pattern Cabinet or Dinner Plates
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine set of 12 antique, 18th century German porcelain plates. By the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory. In the Old Ozier pattern. Each ...
Porcelain
$3,950
H 1.63 in W 21.39 in D 10.13 in
Antique Meissen Porcelain Neu Brandenstein Fish Platter & Strainer Insert
By Johann Joachim Kaendler, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Meissen porcelain fish tray with its rare strainer. By the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory. In the Neu Brandenstein Relief pattern. Or...
Porcelain
$1,810 / set
H 0.99 in Dm 9.65 in
20th Century Limoges Porcelain Set of 12 Dinner Plates with Roses Motif
By ULIM Limoges
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This exquisite set of porcelain dinner plates, made in Limoges, France, is a timeless example of French craftsmanship and elegance. Adorned with a delicate hand-painted pink rose mot...
Porcelain
Sèvres Porcelain Dinner Plates, 18th Century Set of Fourteen -
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Bradenton, FL
Set of Fourteen Hand-painted Sèvres Porcelain Dinner Plates. The Manufacture de Sèvres, in Sèvres, France, was established in the 18th century, and became one of Europe's most presti...
Porcelain
$1,838 / set
H 1.19 in Dm 10.24 in
Pair of 18th Century Hand Painted Multi-Color Porcelain Decorative Dinner Plates
Located in Firenze, IT
These two beautiful and antique hand painted multi-colored porcelain dishes date back to 1700. Each plate has shaped rims with molded and trimmed relief, the white porcelain backgro...
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Porcelain Qianlong Period Blue White Dinner Plate, 18th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated set of 5 large plates. Dating to circa 1700-1720 A scene of peony, bamboo, chrysanthemum & rocks Peony - Mu-Dan - Queen of Flowers, the peony is a emblem of...
Porcelain
18th Century Italian Doccia Porcelain Dinner Service
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A dinner service comprising six dinner dishes and six soup dishes made by the Doccia Porcelain Manufactory, circa 1750. Italy was the site of Europ...
Porcelain
$480 / set
H 0.79 in Dm 9.45 in
Meissen, Germany. Four porcelain plates with floral decoration. Ca 1930s
Located in København, Copenhagen
Meissen Four dinner plates, c. 1930s. Four porcelain plates, hand-painted with multicoloured floral decorations. Classic scalloped rim with relief and delicate detailing. Origin: Ge...
Porcelain
19th Century French Blue & White Faience Dinner Plate Sarreguemines
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century French blue & white faience dinner plate signed "Francois" Sarreguemines.
Ceramic, Faience
Meissen Porcelain, Pair of "Neu-Ozier" Molded Plates, 19th Century
Located in CH
Meissen Porcelain, Pair of “Neu-Ozier” Molded Plates 19th Century A fine pair of Meissen porcelain plates in the “Neu-Ozier” molded style, dating to the 19th century. Each plate fea...
Porcelain
Set of twenty four blue and white floral porcelain dinner plates
Located in London, GB
Set of twenty four blue and white floral porcelain dinner plates Continental, 19th Century Height 2.5cm, diameter 23.5cm These blue and white porcelain dinner plates...
Porcelain
Antique French Blue and White Ironstone Dinner Set by Hautin Boulenger & Cie
By Hautin, Boulenger et Cie 1
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A delightful 33-piece dinner service in traditional blue and white antique French ironstone, made by the famous French faience manufacturer Hautin, Boulenger & Company (HB & Cie) of ...
Ironstone
A Set of 12 French Hand Painted Porcelain Luncheon Accent Plates, Circa 1890
By Limoges
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A set of 12 hand painted floral and gilt decorated luncheon accent plates, the 8.5 inches plates with elegant borders and center medallion, late 19th Century, marked Haviland Limoges...
Porcelain
Orchies French Faïence Majolica Louis XV Style Asparagus Plate, circa 1880
By Orchies
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Majolica glazed French faïence barbotine asparagus plate, Orchies, circa 1880. In the style of Louis XV with dimensional mold work and unusual glazing in pink, green and auberg...
Earthenware
Late 19th Century Silver Flatware Service in Louis XV Style
Located in Peyraud, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Important 111-piece silver flatware service in Louis XV style. The set includes an array of sumptuous serving pieces. The service boasts beautiful naturalistic motifs such as plants,...
Silver
Orchies French Faïence Majolica Louis XV Style Asparagus Plate, circa 1880
By Orchies
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Majolica glazed French faïence barbotine asparagus plate, Orchies, circa 1880. In the style of Louis XV with dimensional mold work and unusual glazing in pink, green and auberg...
Earthenware
12 Floral French Faience Plates from the Estate of Paul & Bunny Mellon
Located in Hudson, NY
This set of plates made in France by Atelier De Sergies / Moustiers and sold thru the Musee Des Arts Decoratifs in Paris are all fully marked and dated 1981. Forming part of the extensive table...
Ceramic