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.
Large Tureen And Its Dish In Limoges Porcelain
By Limoges
Located in BARSAC, FR
Large tureen and matching platter with rich floral decoration on a turquoise blue background in the style of Sèvres. Limoges porcelain, first half of the 20th century. Superb quali...
Porcelain
French 1750s Faience Oval Shaped Soup Tureen from Bordeaux with Floral Decor
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French faïence mid-18th century oval-shaped soup tureen from Bordeaux with floral decor. Created in Southwestern France during the reign of King Louis XV, this soup tureen features...
Faience
Louis XV Silver Tureen by Jean-Baptiste-Francois Chéret
Located in New Orleans, LA
Crafted by French master silversmith Jean-Baptiste-François Chéret, this period Louis XV tureen boasts exceptional decoration, including delicate and refined engraving, shell and acanthus accents, and a remarkably detailed cast finial of cauliflower, celery and carrots. Thanks to a very strict guild system, French silver has always been among the finest in the world. It was also subject to the various fiscal crises of the late 17th and 18th centuries, as both Louis XIV and Louis XV issued edicts demanding that all silver be brought to the mint for melting, with the resulting coin to be used to replenish depleted state treasuries. French silver from this extravagant era survives only in relatively small quantities, and is thus in great demand by collectors. The tureen is marked on the interior lid and underside. The large object charge mark identified as a crown over the letter “A...
Silver
Italian solid silver 800's tureen in baroque style
Located in VALENZA, IT
Baroque style oval tureen, made entirely by hand. The baroque style of this tureen is very light with grooves typical of the style but not evident to allow the object to be easily pl...
Silver
Rosenthal Porcelain Tureen Serving Dish Cobalt and Gold
By Rosenthal
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice vintage Rosenthal tureen.
Chinese Export Porcelain Soup Tureen
Located in Essex, MA
With domed cover with gilt lemon finial on a conforming base with two handles.
Porcelain
Meissen Soup Tureen
Located in Washington, DC
Very colorful Meissen soup tureen with flora decoration to the lid and tureen. There is small crack which is more noticeable from the inside.
Porcelain
Herend Porcelain Poisson Tureen in Blue with Handles
By Herend
Located in New York, NY
Rare Herend Poisson Tureen in Blue with fish and seaweed and the signature rose petal handles. The blue in this design is more rare than the white backg...
Gold Leaf
Antique French White Ironstone Lidded Soup Tureen
Located in Pearland, TX
A gorgeous antique French white ironstone lidded soup tureen, circa 1900. No maker's mark. This fine soup tureen has a decorative finial and lovely ornate handles. It displays beauti...
Ironstone
French Faience Tureen Desvres, circa 1900
By Desvres
Located in Austin, TX
French Faience Tureen attributed to Desvres Circa 1900. Inspired by Rouen manufacture. Signed Arromanches.
Faience
$1,020
H 7.88 in W 19.1 in D 13.39 in
19th Century Faience Soup Tureen with Lid & Platter, Hand-Painted
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This stunning antique French soup tureen is a true masterpiece of 19th-century faience craftsmanship. Complete with its original lid and underplate, the set is richly adorned with ha...
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica, Paint
Antique French White Ironstone Lidded Soup Tureen
Located in Pearland, TX
A gorgeous antique French white ironstone lidded soup tureen, circa 1900. No maker's mark. This fine soup tureen has a decorative finial and lovely ornate handles. It displays beauti...
Ironstone
Royal Copenhagen Blue Fluted, round lidded tureen in porcelain.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Royal Copenhagen Blue Fluted, a round, lidded tureen in porcelain. Approximately from 1820. Marked. First factory quality. In good condition with older restoration on the bottom edge...
Porcelain
$2,140 / set
H 11.03 in W 14.38 in D 8.86 in
19th c. French Porcelain Soup Tureen with Tray, Paris Vierzon
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This exceptional porcelain soup tureen with its matching tray is a fine example of 19th-century French tableware, produced by the distinguished manufactory Lehailleux & Pepin, based ...
Porcelain
$2,950
H 7 in W 14.5 in D 10.13 in
Large Antique 18th Century Moustiers Style French Faience Soup Tureen
By Moustier
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A wonderful antique Soupière et son Couvercle en Faience (French faience Tureen and Cover). Dating to the early 18th century, this very rare form is decorated in the Moustiers sty...
Faience
18th Century Antique Dutch Delft Faience Lidded Tureen
By Delft
Located in Pearland, TX
A superb antique Dutch Delft faience lidded soup tureen. Maker's mark on reverse featuring an axe or hatchet, denoting it's factory, De Porceleyne Bijl (The Porcelain Axe), active 16...
Porcelain
Sold
H 12.75 in W 17.63 in D 16.88 in
Exceptional Shell Shaped Limoges China Porcelain Soup Tureen with Dolphin Decor
By Limoges
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous impressive soup tureen with its display in the shape of a shell and fish in white Limoges porcelain in perfect condition. Fantastic piece for each table. In used but still...
Porcelain
Fine French Faience Hand Painted Soup Tureen and Underplate
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful Louis XV style hand painted soup tureen and stand. Antique white, blue, green colors, make this serving dish very pleasing to the eye. Signed. Dimensions: 14" L x 10 ...
Porcelain
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
Louis XV Gilt Tureen by Jacques Bouchot
Located in New Orleans, LA
An incredibly life-like pomegranate serves as the finial of this exceptional Louis XV period silver gilt tureen by Jacques Bouchot. A superb example of high quality Rococo artistry o...
Silver