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.
c1840 Large French Louis XIV Gilt Bronze Heraldic Castle Candle Wall Sconce
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1840 Large French Louis XIV Gilt Bronze Heraldic Manor Castle Wall Sconce. Original candle form. Rare item. Amazing bronze casting. Every element separately cast. Please look closel...
Bronze
Pair 18thc French Heraldic Louis XIV style Brass Wall Sconces - Original Candle
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair 18thc French Antique Heraldic Louis XIV Brass Wall Sconces. Original candle lit. Highly detailed. Clam shell form top. Very high quality sconces. Easily wired for electricity.
Brass
Fine Pair of Louis XVI Style Ormolu Wall Lights, Not Electrified
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Fine Pair of Louis XVI Style Ormolu Wall Lights, Not Electrified France, circa 1900s This fine pair of Louis XVI-style ormolu wall lights is a stunning example of early 20th-century...
Ormolu
Pair of French Early 19th Century Louis XIV St. Ormolu Sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite pair of French early 19th century Louis XIV st. ormolu sconces. Each two arm sconce is centered by a striking and richly chased bottom foliate reserve with beautiful oak...
Ormolu
19thc French Antique Louis XIV Dore Bronze Grand Mirrored Wall Sconce - Cherubs
Located in Opa Locka, FL
19thc French Antique Louis XIV Bronze Grand Bevelled Wall Sconce. With cherub/ putti detail.
Bronze
Pair of floral wall sconces in polychrome metal, around 1900
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Pair of floral wall lights in polychrome metal, around 1900, newly electrified
Metal
Monumental Pair of 18th Century Venetian Silver Giltwood Sconces
Located in Houston, TX
Monumental pair of 18th century Venetian silver giltwood sconces. Large pair of Italian or Venetian silver gilt wood candle sconces from the 18th century (can easily be wired if desi...
Silver Leaf
Large Bronze Louis XIV Style Wall Sconce
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Large bronze 7-light wall sconce which can be hard wired or plugged into a socket. Great bronze casting with no issues. In excellent vintage condition with minimal age related wear. ...
Bronze
Antique French Iron Sconces, Handmade, Louis XIV Style, Circa 1930
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Beautiful pair of French iron sconces. The work on the iron is handmade, circa 1930.
Iron
Large and Impressive Pair of Bronze Sconces by E. F. Caldwell
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
These large and highly detailed Baroque style three light sconces feature classic motifs including acanthus leaves and laurel swags. They originally hung in the dining room at Lyndhu...
Bronze
Superbe French Pairs of Iron Sconces
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Superbe French pairs of iron sconces.
Iron
Large Wall Sconce in Carved Golden Wood, Tuscany Xixth Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Large wall lamp in carved gilded wood, with the motif of flowers and leaves, with three lights Wear, old restorations and small gaps in the gilding Tuscany, Period of the 19th ...
Wood
Set of Four Louis XIV Gilt-Bronze Wall Appliques, French, Circa 1870
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine set of four Louis XIV style gilt-bronze wall appliques. Each applique having a backplate cast with palmettes and fronded acanthus and i...
Bronze, Ormolu
Vintage Monumental Pair Ormolu Twin Branch Wall Lights Sconces mid 20th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a monumental French pair of antique Louis XVI Revival gilded ormolu quadruple branch wall lights, mid-20th century in date. A large pair of very ormolu wall sconces, each w...
Ormolu
Pair of Mid-19th Century French Louis XIV St. Ormolu Five Arm Sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and large scale pair of French mid 19th century Louis XIV st. Ormolu sconces. Each richly chased Ormolu sconce is set on a most decorative back plate decorated by large acanthus leaves and a central female figure with her hair braided...
Ormolu
Pair of French 19th Century Louis XIV St. Ormolu Sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A lovely and most elegant pair of French 19th century Louis XIV st. ormolu sconces, after a model by André-Charles Boulle. Each two arm sconce is centered by a beautiful circular bac...
Ormolu
Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fine pair of gilt bronze wall sconces with mythological figures.
Bronze
Large Scale French Gray &Gilt Metal Tole Sconces By Currey & Company - Pair
By Currey & Co.
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a large scale pair of French gray and gilt metal tole sconces. They have a lovely scroll styling with gilt acanthus leaves throughout both of them. They are marked. I am not ...
Metal
Pair Of Grand 19th C. French Bronze Five Candle Light Sconces
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A pair of large and heavy five arm antique bronze candle sconces with elaborate sinuous leafy arms, back and a tall top socket. The Pair retain the original Copper tubing presumably once utilized for gas...
Bronze
Pair of French Mid-19th Century Louis XIV St. Ormolu Three-Arm Sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most impressive pair of French mid 19th century Louis XIV st. ormolu three arm sconces. The sconces have a fanciful and very decorative backplate with scrolled acanthu...
Ormolu
Pr, French Rococo Revival Gilt Bronze Sconces With Porcelain Flowers, 19th C
Located in Atlanta, GA
This refined pair of French wall-mounted candle sconces is fashioned in gilt bronze and conceived in the Rococo Revival manner popular in the 19th century, with asymmetrical rocaille...
Bronze
Pair 19thc French Dore Bronze Louis XIV style Cherub Candle Wall Sconces
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair 19thc French Louis XVI style Gilt Bronze Cherub 3 Light Wall Sconces. Original unelectrified state. Beautiful detail.
Bronze
Pair of French Louis XIV Style Bronze Sconces
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of French Louis XIV style bronze sconces. These beautiful French bronze 3 light sconces are currently unwired. Could be used with candles or easily wired if desired. Great patina!
Bronze
Large Pair of Louis the 14th Style Bronze and Mirror Wall Lights
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice large pair of 3 arms Louis the 14th wall lights is made of chiseled bronze with a mirror on its center. These sconces ar every impressive...
Bronze
Pair gilt bronze sconces
Located in Augusta, GA
Lovely pair French gilt bronze sconces previously wired wiribbons and bows and flowers supporting 3 branches
Bronze
French Maison Baguès Style Gilt Bronze Sunburst Sconces
Located in Houston, TX
French Maison Baguès style gilt bronze sunburst sconces. Stunning French Maison Bagues style gilt bronze 2-light sunburst sconces. These fabulous Fren...
Bronze
Pair of cut crystal wall sconces in the style of Maydwell and Windle, England, 1
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Pair of cut crystal wall lights in the style of Maydwell and Windle, England, 18th century Pair of cut crystal wall lights in the style of Maydwell and Windle, George II period, Engl...
Crystal
Louis XIV Baroque Style Italian Carved Giltwood Pair of Sconces, circa 1930
Located in Encinitas, CA
Louis XIV Baroque style giltwood 2-light sconce pair. Fine Italian reproduction, grande scale, these sconce pieces are hand carved and ornately detailed, circa 1930. Professionally ...
Giltwood
Pair 19th Century French Silvered Bronze Sconces Style of Andre Charles Boulle
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French 19th century silvered bronze wall appliques after the original Louis XIV period designs by Andre Charles Boulle.
Metal, Bronze
19th Century, Pair of French Three-Light Gilt Bronze Sconces
Located in IT
19th century, pair of French three-light gilt bronze appliques The refined pair of wall lamps was made in France in the 19th century in chiseled and gilded bronze. The quality and...
Bronze
Pair of Wall Sconces
Located in Atlanta, GA
CW5801. A Very Fine Pair of Siena Marble & Bronze Two Light Wall Sconces in the Louis XIV taste. Great Quality bronze work, the marble of intense color and exquisite veining. Gre...
Siena Marble, Bronze
Fine Pair of Ritz Gilt Bronze Louis XIV Sconces by Maison Delisle, France
Located in Brussels, BE
Fine pair of Ritz Louis XIV gilt bronze wall sconces from Maison Delisle-France. New custom made black lacquer shades gold inside. Rewired.
Bronze
Large Pair Classical 19th Century Ormolu Wall Lights
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A large and impressive pair of classical Louis XVI style gilded ormolu wall lights, with flamed frosted glass shades on torches, held by a ribbon and bow with foliate wreaths to each.
Ormolu
Pair of French Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces with Mascarons, After A.Ch. Boulle
Located in Göttingen, NI
A pair of French gilt bronze wall sconces with Mascarons after a design by André Charles Boulle Fine 19th-century cast, electrified. ...
Bronze
pair of Italian early 19th century Louis XIV st. patinated and Giltwood sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extremely decorative pair of Italian early 19th century Louis XIV st. patinated and Giltwood sconces. Each wonderfully detailed two arm candle sconce is set on a faux painted Porp...
Wood, Giltwood
Louis XIV Wall Lamp of 5 Lightning in Bronze and Oxidized Silver
Located in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, IDF
This model is composed of a light plate in the shape of a violin, decorated with geometric patterns and flowers in bas-relief. The bottom of the plate is decorated with rocaille vegetal motifs, while the upper part is surmounted by a flower from which rays emerge. Reference to the sun king, we find these rays crowning the chandelier of Graux-Marly of the chapel of the castle of Versailles. From the rocaille ornaments of the lower part emerge five arms of light finished by a flared cup and a chiseled bobèche. The ensemble offers a condensed version of the magnificence and opulence of the Louis XIV style. We have one wall lamp...
Silver, Bronze
Louis XIV Style Gilt-Bronze Twin-Light Wall Appliques, France, c. 1860
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Pair of Louis XIV Style Gilt-Bronze Twin-Light Wall-Appliques. In the Manner of André-Charles Boulle. Each modelled as a cherubic herm holding aloft spiral branches. Wired for el...
Ormolu
20th Century Louis XIV Style Baroque Wall Light
Located in Berlin, DE
Baroque wall light in Louis XIV style. Six flamed light corpus. Polished and engraved bronze. Round, reliefed, wall-shield. There from, six light arms composed of spirals. (F-Ra...
Bronze
Pair of French Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze and Cut Rock Crystal Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Louis XVI style gilt bronze and cut rock crystal double light wall sconces embellished with a central cut rock crystal vase embellis...
Rock Crystal, Ormolu
Louis XIV Style Gilt Bronze and Rock Crystal Sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
Louis XIV style gilt bronze and rock crystal sconce by Gherardo degli Albizzi. This seven lights sconce features a gilt bronze backplate and two branches of arms, respectively with f...
Rock Crystal, Crystal, Bronze
Pair of French 19th Century Louis XIV Style Ormolu Three Arm Sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome pair of French 19th century Louis XIV st. ormolu sconces. Each beautiful three arm sconce is centered by a wonderfully executed pieced backplate with an impressive beaded ...
Ormolu
Baroque Applique in antique Louis XIV Style silver galvanized
Located in Berlin, DE
Six flamed light corpus. Polished and engraved bronze. Round, reliefed, wall-shield. There from, six-light arms composed of spirals. Measures: Width:45 cm, height:55 cm.
Brass
Set of Three Italian 19th Century Louis XIV Style Giltwood Bras de Lumieres
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and large scale set of three Italian 19th century Louis XIV style giltwood Bras de Lumière sconces. The sconces displays fine hammered back plates and an elegantly S-scrolled central arms, with richly carved foliate designs. Each arm displays their original wrought iron candle spikes.
Giltwood
A Pair of Louis XIV Style Gilt-Bronze Twin-Light Wall-Appliques
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Pair of Louis XIV Style Gilt-Bronze Twin-Light Wall-Appliques. Each modelled as a cherubic herm emerging from bracket with foliate swags and holding an 'S'-shaped branch. Wired fo...
Bronze
19th Century Louis XIV Style Bronze Pair of Wall Lights
Located in Berlin, DE
Magnificent bronze wall applications in Louis XIV style, circa 1870. Manufacturer stamp: Augsburger. (F-32).
Bronze
20th Century Louis XIV Style Baroque Wall Light
Located in Berlin, DE
Baroque wall light in Louis XIV style. Six flamed light corpus. Polished and engraved bronze. Round, reliefed, wall-shield. There from, six light arms composed of spirals. (F-Ra-...
Bronze
Baroque Applique in antique Louis 14th Style brass bronzed
Located in Berlin, DE
Six flamed light corpus. Polished and engraved bronze. Round, reliefed, wall-shield. There from, six-light arms composed of spirals. Measures: Width:45 cm, height.55 cm.
Brass
A Pair of Louis XIV Style Twin-Light Wall-Appliques In the Manner of Boulle
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Pair of Louis XIV Style Gilt-Bronze Twin-Light Wall-Appliques Modelled With Cherubic Herms. In the Manner of André-Charles Boulle. Each modelled as a cherubic herm holding aloft a...
Ormolu