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.
Elegant French Art Deco Flush Mount Ceiling Light with Crystal Beads, circa 1940
Located in Lisse, NL
Infuse your space with timeless elegance through this exceptional French Art Deco flush mount ceiling light, dating from around 1940. A perfect marriage of refined geometry and artis...
Crystal, Brass, Bronze, Metal
Fine Pair of French 19th Century Gilt-Bronze Figural Wall-Lights with Children
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine pair of French Belle Époque Louis XV Style 19th/20th century six light gilt-bronze figural wall sconces, each modeled as a ribb...
Bronze, Ormolu
18th Century Louis XV Ceiling Light in Black Bronze and 18K Gilt Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, IDF
This ceiling light is composed of an inverted glass pyramid, whose birth is set with a bronze line. It is punctuated at the base of its edges by four f...
Bronze
Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze and Crystal Ceiling Light by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This Louis XV style gilt bronze and crystal ceiling light by Gherardo Degli Albizzi has four internal lights and it shows classical features of Rococò period. At the top there is a ...
Crystal, Bronze
$9,850Sale Price / set|46% Off
Pair of French 19th Century Louis XV Style Three-Light Gilt-Bronze Wall Sconces
By Henry Dasson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine pair of French 19th Century Louis XV style three-light gilt-bronze wall lights (Sconces), attributed to Henri Dasson (1825–1896). The elongated ormolu tassel body surmoun...
Bronze, Ormolu
$3,577Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.5 in Dm 24 in
Maison Baguè Gilt Wrought Iron Crystal Nine-Light Flush Mount France, 1940s
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Large gilt Iron and crystal nine-Light flush mount by Maison Baguès, France, 1940s. Wonderful art environment handcrafted in iron gild with gold leaf beautifuly decorate with amber g...
Crystal, Iron
$4,315 / set
H 20.48 in W 9.85 in D 3.15 in
Pair of Large Coach Lanterns Wall Lights Flush Mounts, 19th
Located in Berlin, DE
Beautiful pair of 19th coach lanterns - wall lights fixtures. Germany. Lamp sockets: 1.
Metal, Brass, Copper
Large Mid Century Glass And Gilt Brass Flush Ceiling Light Sweden, 1950
By Orrefors
Located in London, GB
Large Mid Century Glass And Gilt Brass Flush Ceiling Light Sweden, 1950 Designed by Carl Fagerlund for Orrefors Presented in excellent condition commensurate with age. Please messag...
Glass
On Hold|$2,697
H 7.09 in W 18.9 in D 18.9 in
Italian Sunburst Ceiling Light Fixture in Blue and Gilt Metal, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mid-Century Modern blue metal and golden sunburst flush mount pendant light. Italy, 1950s. This eye-catching ceiling lamp features a blue metal shade surrounded by gilt metal thick r...
Aluminum, Metal
Scandinavian Flush Mount Ceiling Light, 1950s
Located in Oslo, NO
Ceiling light with painted surface and base in porcelain. Designed and made in Norway from circa 1950s first half. The lamp is fully working and in very good vintage condition. The lamp uses...
Porcelain, Glass
$3,500Sale Price / set|61% Off
H 13.8 in W 11 in D 4 in
Wall Sconces Gilt Bronze French Rococo Louis XV 18th Century France
Located in New York, NY
Wall Sconces Gilt Bronze French Rococo Louis XV 18th Century France. A pair of wall sconces made during the louis XV period in France. Two candleholding arms - can be wired if wanted...
Ormolu
Antique Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Five-Light Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Petite five-light gilt bronze chandelier in the French Louis XV style with four flower petal shaped frosted glass shades and socket at center with pomegranate shaped glass shade. R...
Bronze
$2,858Sale Price|39% Off
H 6.5 in Dm 18 in
Large Art Deco Faceted Crystal Gilt Bronze 5-Light Flush Mount, Austria, 1950s
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A beautiful, large Art Deco faceted crystal and cast gilt bronze flush mount, Austria, 1950s. With five light sockets providing a bright, warm light from the ceiling. This wonderful ...
Crystal, Bronze, Brass
$3,536
H 7.88 in W 18.31 in D 18.31 in
Spanish Sunburst Foliage Ceiling Light Fixture in Green and Gilt Iron, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Leafed Sunburst Flush Mount Light , Iron, Gold Leaf Spain, 1950 Sunburst Ceiling Light Fixture with Leaves Frame in green and gilt iron. Eye-catching hand-hammered iron sunburst ligh...
Metal, Gold Leaf, Iron
$5,095
H 3.55 in Dm 22.84 in
Spanish Sunburst Ceiling Light Fixture in Gilt Wrought Iron and Glass, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
One of kind Sunburst Leafed Light Fixture, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf, Frosted Glass Mid-Century Modern gilt iron sunburst flush mount with leaves surrounding a central frosted glass di...
Iron, Gold Leaf, Wrought Iron
$1,500 / set
H 16 in W 9 in D 6 in
Pair 19th Century French Empire Style Gilt Bronze 2-Light Sconces / Wall Lights
Located in New York, NY
Pair antique (19th century) sconces in the French Empire style with gilt bronze arms decorated with masks and mahogany backplates decorated with various neoclassical motifs.
Bronze
Bud Flower Ceiling Light Fixture in Bronze, Spain 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Single Light Flower Bud Ceiling Light Fixture / Wall Light, Bronze Spain, 1950s A beautiful Hollywood Regency gilt bronze floral flush mount or wall sconce. This lovely light fixture...
Bronze
Large Vintage Gilt Bronze and Beaded Crystal Glass 6-Light Flush Mount, Fixture
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful and good condition, six light ceiling lamp. If you are looking for a large size, elegant and well made flush mount to grace your hallway, landing or bedroom then this vintage light fixture could be perfect. Both with the light switched on and off, the design of this hand-crafted gem is very pleasing to the eye. This rare pendant creates and radiates a spherical, warm light and it could hardly be in better condition. The gilt bronze frame is still beautiful and we have cleaned every individual piece of crystal glass. This too is why this vintage pendant still has its original, sparkling look and feel. Have you also noticed the gorgeous, gilt bronze finial with the crystal globe pendant...
Crystal, Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 14.5 in Dm 14.5 in
Antique French Gilt Bronze and Beaded Crystal Glass 3-Light Flush Mount, Fixture
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful and good condition antique ceiling light fixture. If you are looking for a good size and but elegant and well made flush mount...
Crystal, Bronze, Brass, Gold Leaf
Venini Style Murano Glass Three-Light Chandelier
By Toni Zuccheri, Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Houston, TX
Stunning Venini style Murano glass chandelier or Venetian glass chandelier in a beautiful shade of tanzanite blue and clear glass....
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Pair of Antique French Bronze Dore Semi-Flush Ceiling Lights
Located in Houston, TX
Beautifully cast bronze semi-flush mount lights in the Louis XV style with four candelabra sockets, per fixture. Newly rewired in the USA with all UL approved parts. Height is to the...
Bronze