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.
French Silver Plated Flatware Set for 12 People with Original Case
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
This elegant French flatware set is designed for twelve people and comes complete with its original two-piece presentation case. The interior of the case is upholstered in refined bl...
Metal, Silver Plate
Mid Century French Louis XV Silver Plated Tray with Ornate Scrolls & Engravings
Located in Dallas, TX
Serve food in style on this elegant antique tray. Crafted in France circa 1950, the decorative tray sits on four curved feet decorated with shell motifs, and features ornate handles ...
Silver Plate
Covered Dish "trompe l'oeil" c.1868 Old Chistofle also at Orsay Museum
By Christofle
Located in Paris, FR
Exemplifying the elegance of the Louis XV style, this incredible silvered metal dish or plate, expertly crafted by Christofle during the 19th century, stands as a rare treasure. Its ...
Silver Plate
$2,368Sale Price / set|20% Off
European Rococo Revival Silver-Plated Tea Coffee Service, 5 Pieces
Located in Miami, FL
European Rococo Revival Silver-Plated Tea Coffee Service, 5 Pieces Elegant early 20th century European Rococo Revival silver-plated tea and coffee service, comprising five pieces: a...
Silver Plate
Antique Louis XV Style Silver Plate Tray, France, Circa 1900, 20" Wide
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Circa 1900 Louis XV Style Silver Plate Tray. Beautiful piece purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Silver Plate
Shipping Free, 19th Century Silvered Bronze Inkstand Signed Boin Taburet, Paris
By Boin-Taburet
Located in Lisse, NL
Louis XV style inkstand with chinoiserie design, lacquered top. This rare and stylish inkstand is a work of the house Boin-Taburet, goldsmith in Paris. This impressive size inkstand...
Silver Plate
19th Century French Christofle Silver Plated Repoussé Serving Tray
By Christofle
Located in Dallas, TX
Elevate a bar, dining table, or coffee service with this elegant antique French silver plated serving tray by Christofle, crafted circa 1870. Of generous rectangular form with softly...
Silver Plate
$145
H 4.75 in W 3.25 in D 3 in
Petite English Electroplated Nickel on Silver Lidded Container with Flame Finial
Located in Atlanta, GA
A petite English electroplated nickel on silver lidded container from the 20th century, with flaming finial and bead-and-reel motifs. Created in England during the 20th century, this...
Silver Plate, Nickel
$655
H 7 in W 9.5 in D 13 in
Sarreguemines French Barbotine Majolica Trompe l'Oeil Melon Covered Tureen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French Majolica covered tureen in the shape of a trompe l’oeil melon by Sarreguemines, circa 1900. Molded in the form of a large yellow melon with green vines and leaves. The li...
Earthenware
19th Century French Christofle Silver Plated Repoussé Serving Tray
By Christofle
Located in Dallas, TX
Elevate a bar, dining table, or coffee service with this elegant antique French silver plated serving tray by Christofle, crafted circa 1870. Of generous rectangular form with softly...
Silver Plate
$17,502
H 9.45 in W 16.54 in D 13.39 in
20th Century Italian Sterling Silver Inkstand, baroque revival
Located in VALENZA, IT
Faithful copy of the writing service by the silversmith Pietro Rubini, Milan c.1775 The inkstand is composed of a shaped tray supported by 4 rocailles feet, modeled along the entire profile by finely embossed and chiselled volutes, leaves and shells. Above the tray are two ink holders and two pen holders with spiral workmanship and highly embossed vegetable decorations. A bell in the center of the object rests on a FASTIGIO pierced with flowering vines. By Fiorentini, Argenterie di Milano - Italy for ARVAL ARGENTI VALENZA Italian silverware...
Sterling Silver
19th Century English Silver Plate Samovar / Tea Urn
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Mid 19th century English silver plated samovar / tea or coffee urn with Ram detail side handles and finial lid on square footed base . The samova...
Silver Plate, Copper
$3,440Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 6.5 in W 0.5 in D 0.25 in
Set of 36 French Gold-Plated Flatware with Mother-of-Pearl Handles, Original Box
Located in Miami, FL
Set of 36 French Gold-Plated Flatware with Mother-of-Pearl Handles, in Original Box, Set of 36 French Antique Dessert Forks & Knives, Oyster Fork Set with Gold Ferrules An exqui...
Gold Plate
$1,195
H 1.25 in W 26 in D 16.25 in
Mid Century Era Christofle Silver Plated Serving Tray with Stylized Rope Border
By Christofle
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This vintage serving tray was made by the renowned Christofle company of France in approximately 1965 in a period Mid Century style. The tray is composed of silver plate and has a s...
Silver Plate
$1,150
H 1.75 in W 19.75 in D 12.5 in
19th Century French Louis XVI Silver-Plated Serving Tray with Handles
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1880, this refined antique silver-plated serving tray showcases the elegant symmetry and ornamental vocabulary of the Louis XVI style. The rectangular board i...
Silver Plate
$995
H 2.25 in W 22 in D 12.75 in
Antique English Silver Plated Footed Gallery Serving Tray with Ornate Engraving
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This Sheffield Reproduction silver plated gallery tray was made in Sheffield England in approximately 1920 in a Victorian style. This oval tray ...
Metal
$1,400
H 7.5 in W 13.5 in D 9 in
A Fine Georgian Old Sheffield Plate Three-Part Entree Dish, England Circa 1825
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very good 'Old Sheffield Plate' 3-part entree dish, comprised of a rectangular hot water reservoir retaining its original wood insulated carrying handles, receiving a conforming in...
Silver Plate, Copper, Tin
$1,195
H 3.25 in W 22 in D 15.13 in
Antique Barker-Ellis Silver Plated Gallery Serving Tray with Ornate Engraving
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique silver plated serving tray was made by the well known Barker-Ellis Silver Co. of England in approximately 1920 in a Vi...
Silver Plate
$12,000 / set
H 9.85 in W 20.08 in D 14.57 in
Mappin & Webb Cutlery Set for 12 People. England, Early 20th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Mappin & Webb silver plate cutlery set for 12 people, England, early 20th century. Complete for 12 people. A total of 130 pieces: 12 large kni...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 1.58 in W 9.45 in D 9.06 in
Early 20th century French Louis XV Style Silver plate Crumb Shovel, 1900S
Located in LEGNY, FR
Very nice Louis XV style silver plated metal crumb from the beginning of the 20th century. In very good condition. Consisting of a shovel and a brush. Beautiful engraved details on ...
Silver Plate
Vintage French Silver-Plate Cruet/Caddy Set Optic Glass
Located in New Orleans, LA
A vintage French silver plate cruet set with optic glass oil and vinegar bottles with stoppers, salt and pepper pots, and a covered mustard pot all in a caddy with a simple pedestal ...
Crystal, Silver Plate
Sold
H 10.5 in W 8 in D 5.5 in
Early 20th Century French Silver Plated Teapot or Coffeepot with Engraved Motifs
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1920 the teapot stands on four beautiful curved feet and features intricate leaf and flower motifs and a gleaming silver finish all throughout. The lid is dec...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 3 in W 20.75 in D 11.5 in
19th Century French Louis XV Silverplated over Bronze Mirrored Plateau "Surtout"
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique bronze silver plated "Surtout de table" (table platter) was crafted in France circa 1880. Oval in shape with intricate side handles, the tray stands on four smal...
Silver Plate, Bronze
Sold
H 3 in W 21 in D 12 in
19th Century French Louis XV Silverplated Bronze Mirrored Plateau Table Surtout
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique bronze silver plated "Surtout de table" (table platter) was crafted in France circa 1880. Oval in shape with intricate side handles, the tray stands on four smal...
Silver Plate, Bronze
Sold
H 10.5 in W 8 in D 5.5 in
Early 20th Century French Silver Plated Teapot or Coffeepot with Engraved Motifs
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1920 the teapot stands on four beautiful curved feet and features intricate leaf and flower motifs and a gleaming silver finish all throughout. The lid is dec...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 6 in W 20.5 in D 5.5 in
French Louis XV Style Silver Plate Jardiniere Cachepot Centerpiece circa 1900
Located in Pearland, TX
A gorgeous antique French Louis XV style silverplate footed cache pot / jardiniere / planter with the original removable silverplated liner, circa 1900. No maker's mark. This stunnin...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 9.45 in W 0.79 in D 0.79 in
102-Piece Silver-Plated Flatware Set Made by Vanstahl Louis XV-Style
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Silver plated table cutlery for 12 people from the Belgian brand Vanstahl. The cutlery is decorated with a Louis XV style pattern, with elegant ornaments. Vanstahl is known for exclu...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 2.5 in W 24.5 in D 17.5 in
19th Century French Louis XV Stamped Silver Plated Tray with Repousse Decor
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique tray was created in France, circa 1880. The silver plated serving piece features two handles with intricate scroll work, repousse motifs in each corner including...
Silver Plate
19th Century French Louis XV Silver Plated Epergne Centerpiece
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant and tall carved silver plated epergne was crafted in Paris, France, circa 1880. (An epergne is an ornamental centerpiece for a dining table, typically used for holding f...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 11.5 in Dm 8.5 in
Very Good Pair of Louis XV Style Silvered Bronze Candelabra, France Circa 1870
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very handsome pair of 19th century silvered bronze 3 branch candelabra in the style of Louis XV. Both showing a trio of richly cast foliate shaped branches fitted with detachable t...
Bronze, Silver Plate
Old Christofle "Trompe l'oeil" Chestnuts Dish, Silver Plated, 1880-1881
By Christofle
Located in Paris, FR
Very special dish for roasted chestnuts created by world-famous silversmith Christofle is so elegant and original, decorated on the lid with two folded damask napkins...
Silver Plate