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.
$26,850Sale Price|22% Off
Palatial French 19th Century Louis XIV Style Gilt Bronze "Versailles" Lantern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Large and Palatial French 19th century Louis XIV style gilt bronze and panelled bevelled glass "Versailles" style single grand hall hanging lantern. The elongated and wide body sur...
Bronze
Wonderful French Gilt Iron Louis XVI Hexagon Glass Lantern Pendent Chandelier
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Large French Gold Gilt Iron Louis XVI / Maison Bagues Style Octagon Shaped With Inset Glass Panel Lantern Pendent Having 3 Internal Candelabra Lights, This Chandelier Com...
Iron, Gold Leaf
French Early 20th Century Louis XIV Style Gilt Bronze "Versailles" Style Lantern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A charming French, early 20th century, Louis XIV style gilt bronze and gilt metal molded glass "Versailles" Style three-light hanging hall lantern. The elongated blown glass body sur...
Metal, Bronze
$2,410 / item
Wrought Iron Castle Lantern with Scroll Decoration
Located in Marseille, FR
Wrought iron lantern decorated with scrolls and acanthus leaves. Made in the purest tradition of forge masters of the 19th century without welding or screws. These lanterns have been...
Iron
French 19th-20th Century Gilt-Bronze and Cut-Glass "Versailles" Style Lantern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine French 19th-20th century gilt bronze and molded cut-glass "Versailles" style single-light hanging lantern, in the manner of Baccarat. The elongated molded and cut-glass body s...
Bronze
French 19-20th Century Gilt-Bronze & Molded Cut-Glass "Versailles" Style Lantern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine French 19-20th century gilt-bronze and molded cut-glass "Versailles" style hanging lantern. The top surmounted with a Royal Crown among leaves an acanthus, the bottle-shaped c...
Bronze
Pair Italian LXIV Period Hexagonal Brass Lanterns, 1st half 18th century
Located in Atlanta, GA
these elaborately constructed lanterns are hexagonal and have a number of decorative features with graduated bases, brass overlay in patterns on the glass sides, 3 sides with decorat...
Brass
French 19th-20th Century Gilt-Bronze and Molded Glass "Versailles" Style Lantern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine French, 19th-20th century gilt bronze and molded glass "Versailles" style single-light Hanging lantern. The elongated molded and glass body surmounted with a Royal Crown with ...
Bronze
French Mid-20th Century Louis XIV Style Gilt-Metal & Glass "Versailles" Lantern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A French mid-20th century Louis XIV style gilt-metal and molded glass "Versailles" style single-light hanging hall lantern. The elongated blown glass body banded with gilt-metal stri...
Metal
"Versailles" Style Gilt Bronze Lantern
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Versailles" gilt bronze hall fixture. The canopied support featuring a crown with "Fleur de Lis". The body frame with beveled glass panels, decorated with Atlantes, shells, lions ma...
Bronze
Large Louis XIV Style ‘Versailles’ Lantern
Located in London, GB
A very large Louis XIV style ‘Versailles’ lantern, a twentieth century model of the original created for the Château de Versailles, with three light...
Brass
Hexagonal Gilt Bronze Lantern with Hand Cut Panels.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Fine Gilt Bronze Hexagonal Lantern in the Louis XIV Taste. Hand Cut Sunburst in Panels. 3 lights. France, circa 1920. Dimensions: Height 21" Diameter 12 1/2" CW2807, 5011 & 5077
Bronze
1800s French Cast Iron Betty Rooster Oil Lamp France
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Fine French handcrafted cast iron Oil Betty Lamp with decorative Rooster 1800s Known as a 'Betty Lamp' features a circular tank base with a decorative rooster finial. 8.75 tall x 5....
Iron
Large Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze Lantern, Four Lights, France, 1880
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A large Louis XVI style gilt bronze cylindrical four-light lantern. This large lantern is of cylindrical form with four ribbed uprights supporting a frame with beaded swags and ri...
Bronze
$16,850Sale Price|32% Off
Fine and Large French Louis XIV Style 19th Century Gilt Bronze Figural Lantern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine and large French Louis XIV style 19th century gilt-bronze and beveled glass "Versailles" style four-light hanging grand-hall lantern, surmounted with a royal crown, male gargo...
Bronze
$13,560Sale Price|20% Off
French Louis XIV Style 19th Century Gilt Bronze Figural "Versailles" Lantern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine and large French Louis XIV style 19th century gilt bronze and paneled beveled glass "Versailles" style three-light hanging grand-hall lantern, surmounted with a royal crown wi...
Bronze
$4,250 / item
Versailles Hall Lantern
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Exquisite Gilt Bronze Lantern. Original gilding. Having individual beveled glass panels. Based on the lantern at Versailles. France, circa 1910. 1 light. Dimensions: Height 21" ...
Bronze
Antique Chandelier, Lantern
Located in Atlanta, GA
Versailles style lantern of gilt bronze and crystal.
Crystal, Bronze
$3,960Sale Price|20% Off
French Louis XIV Style Early 20th Century Gilt Bronze "Versailles" Style Lantern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine and charming French Louis XIV style early 20th century gilt bronze and molded glass "Versailles" style single-light hanging hall lantern. The elongated body surmounted with a ...
Bronze
French Ormolu Versailles Hall Lantern
Located in London, GB
Immerse your space in the elegant allure of the past with this exquisite French Louis XIV Style Hanging Hall Lantern. Crafted in the early 20th century, this meticulously designed p...
Bronze
$2,250
Versailles Hall Lantern
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fine and decorative "Versailles" hall lantern. Hand beveled crystal panels. France, circa 1910. 3-lights. Dimensions: H 22" D 11". CW4694.
Crystal, Bronze
$5,560Sale Price|20% Off
Early 20th Century Gilt-Metal and Glass "Versailles" Style Hanging Lantern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A French early 20th century gilt-metal paneled beveled glass "Versailles" style hanging twin-light lantern. The elongated body topped with a crown-shaped design among floral shields....
Metal
Versailles Style Hall Lantern
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Fine Gilt Bronze Lantern "Versailles". The glass part is single piece blown into the gilt bronze frame featuring "Fluer de Lis" ornaments. France, circa 1910. Dimensions: Height 2...
Bronze
$11,950Sale Price|35% Off
Fine French 19th-20th Century Belle ÉPoque Lantern, Attributed to Baccarat
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine French 19th-20th century Belle Époque gilt bronze "Versailles" style four light hanging lantern attributed to Baccarat, Paris, circa 1900. Measures: Height: 33 1/2 inches (8...
Bronze
19th Century Gilt Bronze Lantern as Palace of Versailles Model
Located in Marseille, FR
Beautiful lantern gilded bronze Napoleon III period faceted glass beveled. Superb quality and impeccable condition. Model inspired by a lantern of the Palace of Versailles...
Bronze
$2,591
H 31.5 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in
Pair of Antique Louis XVI French Lanterns Chandeliers in Gilt Bronze & Cut Glass
Located in Coimbra, PT
Beautiful antique pair of Louis XVI French lanterns. Four cast gilt bronze frames with cut and etched glass panels shade. Price per unit. Dimensions : "Width" 7.88 in/ 20 cm "Depth"...
Bronze
$4,391
H 45 in W 21 in D 21 in
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze Five-Light Chandelier
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A fine Louis XVI style five-arm chandelier of gilt bronze and parcel patinated, extremely ornate with great details, France, 1880-1890. This wonderful piece is in its original condi...
Bronze
$6,223
H 21.26 in W 9.45 in D 9.45 in
Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze Lantern, Hexagonal Design, Circa 1900
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A small Louis XVI style gilt bronze lantern modelled after the Versailles Model. Of hexagonal form surmounted by a corona cast with fleu...
Bronze
Large French Wrought Iron Lantern
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1950s French wrought iron lantern with gilt details. 5 interior lights. Measurements: Height 36" Diameter 25".
$1,319Sale Price|44% Off
H 25.6 in Dm 12.21 in
Alabaster Art Deco Pendant Natural Lantern Early 20th Century France
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
*If you're interested in this item and have any questions, please contact us. Many items are on clearance. We welcome serious offers. Alabaster pendant Art Deco early 20th century...
Alabaster, Bronze
French Art Deco Bronze Cut Glass Chandelier, Early 20th Century
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A beautiful Art Deco chandelier with very elegant design, crown-shaped of gilt bronze with a satin handcut glass dome shade and a small shade hanging from the top, all supported by f...
Bronze
Antique French Solid Bronze Lantern 19th Century
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
Antique French, solid Bronze Lantern, newly rewired for the American market, but without glass.
Bronze
$19,800
H 32 in Dm 24 in
Antique Baguès French Louis XVI St Gilt Bronze and Cut Rock Crystal Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A superb antique French Louis XVI style chandelier attributed to Baguès, composed of gilt bronze and cut rock crystal. The chandelier is arranged in a tiered form with scrolling gilt...
Rock Crystal, Bronze
French Art Deco Gilt Bronze Cut Glass Chandelier, Early 20th Century
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A beautiful Art Deco chandelier with very elegant design, crown-shaped of gilt bronze with a satin handcut glass dome shade and a small shade hanging from the top, all supported by f...
Bronze
$2,142
H 19 in Dm 15 in
Early 20th Century Bronze & Beveled Glass Stylish Design Lantern Pendant Light
Located in Lisse, NL
Highly stylish and classy lantern with solid bronze frame. If you are looking for a quality made, sizable, durable, stylish and excellent condition pendant then this wonderful speci...
Bronze
French Louis XVI Style Bronze Lantern
Located in Houston, TX
French Louis XVI Style Bronze Lantern. Offered is a superb large scale antique French Louis XVI style bronze lantern with curved glass panels and three interior lights (candelabra so...
Bronze
Antique Wrought Iron Lantern
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1900 American forged iron lantern electrified with interior lights and scrolling details. Measurements: Height 36" Diameter 14".
Wrought Iron
Pair French 19th C. Ormolu Bronze Glass “Versailles” Style Lanterns
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Pair French 19th C. Ormolu Bronze Glass “Versailles” Style Lanterns Pair of exquisite hanging lanterns with octagonal beehive shape in molded crisply cut and faceted glass shades wi...
Ormolu
Sold
H 25.6 in Dm 7.88 in
French Louis XIV Style Clear Cut Glass, Bronze and Brass Lantern with Cherubs
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Louis XIV-style hanging hall lantern from the 1930s made of clear-cut glass, bronze, and brass. This charming single-light pendant lantern has a clear glass lampshade with ver...
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 26.5 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
French Louis XIV Style Wrought Iron 4-Light Lantern, 1st quarter 20th century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Hanging from a central ring the top with four scroll supports each with applied metal leaves, the body 4 sided with ball feet, retaining original 4-light cluster, standard wiring inc...
Wrought Iron
Fine Louis XIV 'Versaille' Gilt-Bronze Lantern
Located in London, GB
A fine quality Louis XIV style gilt-bronze lantern, late 19th or early 20th century, after a design originally made for the 'Vestibule de Marbre' at the Palace of Versaille, the top ...
Bronze
Sold
H 49 in W 23 in D 23 in
Very Fine Late 19th Century French Gilt Bronze Large Versailles Design Lantern
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine and large late 19th century to early 20th century gilt bronze lantern in the Versailles design. Wired for electricity and beeswax candles added ...
Bronze
19th Century Versailles Lantern
Located in Bagshot, GB
Exceptional 19th century Versailles Antique lantern, all fully restored and with original beveled glass. The metal work has been polished back to...
Bronze
Versaille Lantern in Gilt Bronze & Glass
Located in Kent, Dover
A French gilt bronze and glass lantern, modelled on the lanterns at Versaille, the canopy having sun rays.
Bronze
French Louis XIV “Versailles” Style Hanging Lantern Hall Lamp
Located in Barntrup, DE
Beautiful French Louis XIV “Versailles” style bronze and clear glass hall lantern, ceiling lamp from the 1920s. In very good condition. One socket for the E27 (E26) size light bulb. ...
Bronze
Sold
H 32 in W 20 in D 20 in
Hanging Lantern Ceiling Metal Copper Light Pendant hand made rustic old style
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This charming large 17th-18th century Classic Louis XIV style antique look hanging copper lantern features a tiered top with a Lid that opens and close. La Maison Iron Work. The bracket that holds the Lantern in place if you have a windy exterior install or it could land outstanding workmanship metal forged and lozenge shape on top will flood your hallway with light, A porch, even as an interior light. For a porte cochere...
Metal, Copper
French Louis XIV Style Gilt Bronze Lantern Form Six-Light Pendant Hall Light
Located in Big Flats, NY
French Louis XIV style gilt bronze hanging pendant hall light features gilt bronze scroll and foliate frame with arched glass inset panels in la...
Bronze
Sold
H 32 in W 12 in D 12 in
Mid-20th Century French Grey Painted Tole and Iron Four-Light Octagonal Lantern
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant, vintage hanging fixture was crafted in France, circa 1960. The octagonal lantern features a beautiful dome crown at the pediment ...
Metal, Tôle
French Versaille Bronze Lantern
Located in Westwood, NJ
A French Louis XIV style bronze faceted hall lantern with crown top and acorn finial.