As opposed to the styles that would follow from the other 18th-century French kings, Louis XV and Louis XVI, antique Louis XIV furniture is rigid and imposing. It expresses opulence — even its armchairs, with their upright backs, straight legs and lavish ornamentation, look like thrones. Authentic Louis XIV sofas, a then newly emerging iteration of seating, are fully upholstered and often feature decoratively carved frames of walnut, chestnut or oak.
When French King Louis XIV established his royal court at Versailles in 1682, he transformed what was once a hunting lodge into a palace that declared his wealth and power through its design. Until his death in 1715, he reigned with a spirit of excess and absolute political dominance. The “Sun King,” as he called himself, believed that France revolved around him as planets do the sun. Louis XIV adopted the sun as his emblem, decorating the grounds with symbols of the sun and Apollo, the Greek god of the sun. As he stated, “There is nothing that indicates more clearly the magnificence of great princes than their superb palaces and their precious furniture.” He was a child when he became king in 1643, only shaping his style after he became absolute monarch in 1661.
Reflecting trends in French Baroque art, Louis XIV furniture characteristics included exuberant decoration. There were gilded bronze details including shells, suns, grotesques, lions and classical references like acanthus leaves. The years of growth in the country’s manufacturing, such as the tapestries and cabinets made at Gobelins, led to design innovations. The commode replaced the chest as a storage device, with drawers and a surface that could double as a desk.
The materials were luxurious, such as the popular tortoiseshell veneer technique that leading cabinetmaker Pierre Golle used in his designs. André-Charles Boulle, who became royal cabinetmaker in 1672, was a masterful artist of marquetry, using inlays of ebony, exotic woods and mother-of-pearl.
Find a collection of antique Louis XIV bedroom furniture, chairs, tables and other pieces on 1stDibs.
$960Sale Price|20% Off
Period Louis XVI Sterling Table Spoon, Paris, 1789
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Period Louis XVI sterling table spoon, Paris, 1789 A tour de force of the Louis XVI style with applied medallion handle. The oval flat edge gold-...
Sterling Silver
Puiforcat - Cutlery Flatware Set Elysee Sterling Silver & Vermeil - 165 Pieces
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Cutlery Flatware set "Elysee" made in 950/1000th solid sterling silver and vermeil by Puiforcat. Cutlery/Flatware set including 165 pieces: - 24 table forks - silver - 24 table kniv...
Gold Plate, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
$775 / set
H 0.5 in W 9 in D 2 in
Rare Pair of Exeter Sterling Silver Parcel-Gilt Georgian Berry Spoons
By William Woodman
Located in New York, NY
Rare pair of Georgian, sterling silver, parcel-gilt berry spoons, Exeter, England, 1830, William Woodman - maker. Measures: 9" long x 2" wide (at widest point). Vacant cartouche. Bea...
Sterling Silver
$1,696Sale Price|30% Off
H 0.08 in W 0.99 in D 5.12 in
Exclusive Tea COFFEE SPOONS, 12pcs. Sterling Silver & Box Cake Spatula & TONGS.
Located in Wembley, GB
A Rare case set of 12 gilded inside antique valuable floral handle sterling silver Spoons. An elegant Vintage Sterling Silver Tea / Coffee Spoon Set. A cased set of 1915 12 x silver ...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
12 Japanese Sterling Ice Tea Spoons
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Being offered is a complete set of twelve ice tea / mint julep spoons. Each set of six come in the original case. The case has hinges on the side and...
Sterling Silver
$11,400 / set
H 18 in W 18 in D 18 in
Bougainville by Puiforcat Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 37 Pcs in Box
By Puiforcat
Located in Big Bend, WI
Exquisite Bougainville by Puiforcat France sterling silver flatware set, 37 pieces. This set includes: 12 dinner size forks, 8 3/8" 12 teaspoons, 5 1/2" 12 large dinner spoons, ...
Sterling Silver
$3,136
H 1.97 in W 9.85 in D 13.78 in
1920s England by Reid & Son Antique Silver and Mother of Pearl Cutlery Flatware
Located in Brescia, IT
Silver Flatware, England 1920s A set of 12 knives and 12 forks with real mother of pearl handles. Original wooden box. Knife 20 cm. Fork 16 cm Exce...
Silver
$3,560 / set
H 0.38 in W 0.88 in D 4.13 in
Christofle Art Nouveau Silver Spoons, French Sterling Silver Spoons Set of 12
Located in Miami, FL
A very fine quality set of 12 antique sterling silver tea, coffee or dessert spoons attributed to Christofle, circa 1890-1930. Stunning design and craftsmanship. The handles have sophisticated Art Nouveau Pattern different decor, flowers, vine leaves, bunch of grapes, foliage, decor dahlias. The mark “925” on the bowl confirms that it’s sterling silver (.925 purity). The handle shows ornate floral and foliate engraving, typical of early 20th-century American or European silver flatware. The pattern style — squared edges with raised floral decoration — closely resembles Art Nouveau to early Art Deco transitional designs (roughly 1890s–1930s). The spoon shape (slightly deep oval bowl, short handle relative to bowl size) suggests a bouillon or cream soup spoon, not a teaspoon. Presented in its original box by Prestigious silversmith: A La Gerbe...
Sterling Silver
$735Sale Price|30% Off
H 0.08 in W 0.99 in D 5.12 in
Exclusive Tea COFFEE SPOONS, 7 pcs. Sterling Silver & Box TEASPOONS & TONGS.
Located in Wembley, GB
A Rare case set of 7 antique valuable sterling silver Spoons. An elegant Vintage Sterling Silver Tea / Coffee Spoon Set. Cased set of 1915 6 x silver trefid teaspoons & tongs by Cooper Brothers & Sons Ltd - 84g. Length 13 cm. Weight 84 grams...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
$508Sale Price|30% Off
H 7.49 in W 1.19 in D 1.58 in
Silver Serving Spoon Antique Pair of Decorative Sterling Silver Gilded Spoon
Located in Wembley, GB
Pair of Antique Sterling Silver Serving Spoons Gilded & Ornate Handles A distinguished pair of antique sterling silver serving spoons, exquisitely crafted and richly detailed in the ...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
$32,500 / set
H 1 in W 1 in D 1 in
Art Deco Puiforcat French 950 Sterling Silver Flatware Set Dinner Service 125 Pc
By Puiforcat
Located in Big Bend, WI
Outstanding Art Deco Puiforcat 950 sterling silver flatware set, 125 pieces. This set includes: 12 dinner knives, 10" (not puiforcat, ebony handle with silver caps with cornucopia d...
Sterling Silver
$59,995 / set
H 12 in W 18 in D 18 in
Louvois by Puiforcat France Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 175 pcs Dinner
Located in Big Bend, WI
The Parisian silversmith Puiforcat is regarded as one of the legendary names in European silver craftsmanship. Massive Dinner Size Louvois by Puiforcat sterling silver flatware set,...
Sterling Silver
Large Georgian, 'George III' Sterling Silver Stuffing Spoon
Located in New York, NY
Large Georgian (George III) stuffing spoon having a deer armorial, London, year-hallmarked for 1807, John Blake - maker. Measures 12 inches long x 2 inc...
Sterling Silver
Georgian 'George II' Sterling Silver Stuffing Spoon Dated 1738
Located in New York, NY
Georgian (George II), sterling silver stuffing spoon, London, year-hallmarked for 1738, Thomas Whipham - maker. Measures 11 inches long x 2 inches deep ...
Sterling Silver
Puiforcat - Set Of Plates Dishes Elysee Sterling Silver - 13 Pieces
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Set of 13 (thirteen) serving plates and dishes "Elysée" made in sterling solid silver by Puiforcat. Set including 13 plates / dishes: - 3 plates of 22.7 cm diameter - 2 plates of 2...
Sterling Silver
Puiforcat, Cutlery Flatware Set Mazarin Sterling Silver, 141 Pieces
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Cutlery Flatware set "Mazarin" made in 950/1000th solid sterling silver by Puiforcat. Cutlery set for 12 people including 141 pieces: - 12 table forks - 12 table knives - 12 table s...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Puiforcat, Cutlery Flatware Set Medicis Sterling Silver, 139 Pieces
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Cutlery Flatware set "Medicis" made in 950/1000th solid sterling silver by Puiforcat. Cutlery set for 12 people including 139 pieces: - 12 table forks - 12 table knives - 12 table s...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Sold
H 0.04 in Dm 0.04 in
Puiforcat - Cutlery Flatware Set Elysee Sterling Silver & Vermeil - 127 Pieces
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Cutlery Flatware set "Elysee" made in 950/1000th solid sterling silver and vermeil by Puiforcat. Cutlery set for 12 people including 127 pieces: - 1...
Gold Plate, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
Puiforcat, Cutlery Flatware Set Louvois Sterling Silver, 96 Pieces
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Cutlery Flatware set "Louvois" made in 950/1000th solid sterling silver by Puiforcat. Cutlery set for 12 people including 96 pieces: - 12 table fo...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Sold
H 0.04 in Dm 0.04 in
Puiforcat, Set of Elysée Vermeil Gold Sterling Silver Serving Dishes, 7 Pieces
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Suite of 7 (seven) "Elysée" serving dishes made in vermeil (gold-plated solid sterling silver) by Puiforcat. Set of 7 serving dishes including : - 1 round plate 27.5 cm diameter (excellent condition) - 2 rectangular dishes 22 cm x 28.5 cm (very good condition - some very slight scratches) - 2 round cups of 20, 5 cm diameter (very good condition - some very slight scratches) - 2 oval dishes of 42 cm x 29 cm (one in very good condition with some very slight scratches - one in used condition with scratches) All pieces are signed and stamped. Puiforcat still offers this model for sale, only on request. The price changes every month depending on the price of gold...
Gold Plate, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
Sold
H 0.04 in Dm 0.04 in
Puiforcat, Elysée Vermeil Gold Sterling Silver Flatware Cutlery Set, 70 Pieces
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Exceptional "Elysée" flatware cutlery set in vermeil (950/1000th solid sterling silver gold-plated) by Puiforcat. Flatware cutlery set of 70 pieces including : - 12 table forks - 12 table knives - 12 table spoons - 12 dessert forks - 12 dessert knives - vermeil blade - 10 coffee spoons All the pieces are signed and hallmarked. Very good condition - some light scratches from use. Some cutlery has been used more than others. Puiforcat still offers this model for sale, only on request. The price changes every month depending on the price of gold...
Sterling Silver, Gold Plate, Vermeil
Sold
H 0.04 in Dm 0.04 in
Puiforcat, Cutlery Flatware Set Louvois and Turenne Sterling Silver 162 Pieces
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Important "Louvois" cutlery set made in solid sterling silver 950/1000th by Puiforcat. Turenne" model for knives. Cutlery set of 162 pieces including : - 18 table forks - 12 ta...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Sold
H 0.04 in Dm 0.04 in L 0.04 in
Puiforcat Paris Richelieu Cutlery Flatware Set Solid Sterling Silver 108 Pieces
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Exceptional "Richelieu" cutlery flatware set by Puiforcat Paris in solid sterling silver. Presented on its original box signed Puiforcat. Set including : - 18 table forks - 18 t...
Sterling Silver
Emile Puiforcat Paris Elysée Cutlery Set Sterling Pure Silver, 293 Pieces
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Exceptional "Elysée" cutlery set by Emile Puiforcat Paris in sterling pure silver. Presented on sheathed trays signed Puiforcat. Set composed of 293 pieces (258 pieces and 35 serv...
Sterling Silver
Louis XIV Combined Retractable Silver Spoon with Two Tine Fork, 1592
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Louis XIV combined retractable silver spoon with two tine fork, 1592. Very rare French Louis XIV combined retractable silver spoon with two tine fork 1592, traveling utensil. We are proud to offer this exceptional and unusual museum piece to the market. This rare traveling utensil set consists of a combined spoon and retractable fork from the 16th century. It was introduced by Catherine de Medici who brought them from Italy to France in 1553, upon her marriage to the future king, Henry II. Up to this time forks had only two tine. In the late 17th century forks became three pronged. A combined silver flatware set was a personal item, carried by wealthy owners when dining out. Once sacrilegious and controversial, fork and spoon are among the most important inventions in the history of Western culture. In 1633 King Charles I of England declared them, “decent to use” and so the fork, slowly but surely, gained acceptance at the table. This beautiful solid silver piece has a figural finial and a small seal similar to the Apostle spoons...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 6.5 in W 4.75 in D 9.75 in
Early 18th Century French Louis XIV Period Copper Chocolate Pot with Iron Handle
Located in Fayetteville, AR
Originally used to make and serve hot chocolate, this early 18th century French Louis XIV period copper chocolate pot is marked with the name of i...
Copper, Iron