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.
Large Gilt Triptych Dressing Table Mirror
Located in Swadlincote, GB
A good French very nice carved giltwood triptych dressing table mirror, with bevelled mirrors and solid oak back, in very good overall condition. 33" high 48" wide You are welco...
Giltwood
French Louis XIV Style Bronze and Brass Faceted Desktop Mirror
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Louis XIV Style bronze and brass faceted desktop mirror from the 1920s Adorned with typical Louis XIV-style symbols, allegorical figures, floral...
Brass, Bronze
Period Louis XIV Giltwood Mirror, circa 1700 Venice, Andrea Brustolon School
By Andrea Brustolon
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Abuot this mirror Mirror attributable to the school of Andrea Brustolon This Louis XIV period mirror features rich and diffuse elegantly carved moti...
Giltwood
Pair of French Bronze Dore Mirrors with Mascarons and Floral Motifs, circa 1880
Located in Dallas, TX
This pair of small bronze doré mirrors are from France, circa 1880, and were made in the style of Louis XIV. The intricate bronze doré frames have a large cartouche at the top of the frame that depicts a mascaron with a floral headband...
Bronze
$480
H 14.25 in W 12.5 in D 1 in
Murano Iridescent Glass Mirror with Flowers 1950s, Italy Venetian Venice
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous Murano glass vanity mirror surrounded with handmade glass flowers. With minor signs of wear as expected with age and use. A nice addition to any dressing room.
Mirror, Murano Glass, Wood
$460
H 14 in W 9.75 in D 7.25 in
Murano Glass Vanity Mirror with Gold Flake Flowers 1950s Italy Venetian, Venice
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous Murano glass vanity mirror surrounded with handmade clear gold flake flowers. Can be used as a wall mirror or standing mirror. With minor signs of wear as expected with ag...
Mirror, Murano Glass, Wood
$15,000
H 44 in W 21.5 in D 2 in
English Chippendale Gilt Carved Wood Floral and Shell Motif Mirror. Circa 1770
Located in Charleston, SC
English Chippendale gilt carved wood and gesso mirror with acanthus floral and shell motif. Mirror retains the original glass. Late 18th Century
Glass, Giltwood
18th Century Italian Baroque Period Giltwood Mirror
Located in Forney, TX
This exceptionally carved Baroque period Italian mirrored mercury glass giltwood wall hanging / mantel mirror captures the reason why we love Eur...
Glass, Mirror, Giltwood
$1,450
H 29 in W 14.5 in D 8 in
Chinese Carved Painted Wood Dressing Table / Vanity Mirror with Gilt Highlights
Located in Queens, NY
"Chinese (19/20th Century)red painted dressing table mirror with an elaborately shaped carved wood frame with openwork design and raised on a rectangular base Losses on the pinecone...
Metal
Antique Giltwood Louis XIV Style Mirror
Located in London, GB
The frame of this fine, Italian, antique giltwood mirror references a style that was often used in designs for marquetry that was popular late in the reign of Louis XIV and pioneered...
Wood, Giltwood, Glass
Italian 17th Century Louis XIV Period Baroque Giltwood Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A spectacular and most impressive large scale Italian 17th century Louis XIV period Baroque giltwood mirror. The mirror is raised by two fanciful 'C' scrolled supports with a central...
Mirror, Giltwood
Buccellati Style Large Silver Ribbon Dressing Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Buccellati style large silver ribbon dressing mirror. Large ribbon banded silver plated mirror with repousse banding with mahogany and metal stand. Italy, 1930's Dimensions: 17.75" ...
Silver Plate
Italian Rococo Style Gilt Carved Dressing Table / Vanity Mirror
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Rococo-style (19th Century) carved giltwood dressing table / vanity mirror with a carved base. Condition: Good; Wear consistent with age and use
Copper
Italian Gilt Shell Cartouche Acanthus Mirror. Circa 1730
Located in Charleston, SC
Italian gilt carved wood wall mirror with shell cartouche, flanking decorative scrolled acanthus carvings and resting on cross hatching rectangular base. Mirror retains the original ...
Gold Leaf
$9,800
H 29.5 in W 19.25 in D 3.5 in
American Classical Eglomise Gilt Mirror with Rope and Medallion Carvings C. 1815
Located in Charleston, SC
American Classical gilt carved wood eglomise mirror with decorative sphere, medallion, and rope carvings, and painted eglomise of American frigate ships at war...
Glass, Giltwood, Paint
Fine Satinwood Inlaid Dressing Table Mirror
Located in Cheshire, GB
This exquisite dressing table mirror is crafted from richly figured satinwood, celebrated for its warm golden hue and naturally shimmering grain. The generously sized oval mirror is ...
Satinwood
Antique French Louis XIV Style Gilt Wood Dresser Mirror C1920
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique French Louis XIV Style Giltwood Dresser Mirror C1920 Measures- 22"H x 17"W x 8.5"D
Mirror, Wood
Louis XIV Style Silver-Plated Table Mirror
Located in Astoria, NY
French silver-plated copper mirror in the Louis XIV taste with foliate decoration, 19th c. or later, monogrammed, maker's mark present on underside, possibly a galvanoplastic or elec...
Copper