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Louis XVI Historical Memorabilia

LOUIS XVI STYLE

Reflecting the final era of royal opulence before the upheaval of the French Revolution, antique Louis XVI furniture features more angular shapes than the Rococo curves of the Louis XV style, harkening back to the imposing grandeur of Louis XIV.

Dating between 1750 and 1800, an era that overlapped with the last king of France whose reign was cut short by the guillotine, Louis XVI furniture, known as the goût grec, is emblematic of the neoclassical revision that French furniture underwent during the second half of the 18th century.

Authentic Louis XVI furniture characteristics include clean lines and carved details such as scrolls and acanthus flourishes that were inspired by ancient Greece and Rome. This was informed by a burgeoning interest in antiquity in the 18th century, owing to new archaeological excavations at sites including Pompeii and Herculaneum. It largely eclipsed the more East Asian–influenced ornamentation of Louis XV for something more geometric and symmetrical.

The Louis XVI style was defined by what was being created for the palatial rooms at Versailles and Fontainebleau, particularly for the queen, with cabinetmaker Jean-Henri Riesener being a favorite of Marie-Antoinette’s for his luxurious pieces accented with gilded bronze and marquetry. Furniture maker Jean-Baptiste-Claude Sené was also a major designer of the period, with his pieces for the royal residences adorned with giltwood and neoclassical touches like tapered columns for chair legs and laurel leaf carvings. Cabinetmaker Adam Weisweiler occasionally incorporated into his furniture porcelain panels produced by Sèvres, a popular manufacturer of European ceramics that served the crown with serveware, vases and other decorative objects.

Find a collection of antique Louis XVI seating, tables, cabinets and other furniture on 1stDibs.

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Style: Louis XVI
18th Century French Pastel Portrait Noble Lady with Flowers
Located in Savannah, GA
Stunning pastel portrait representing a young Noble woman wearing a pink silk dress and blue floral corsage. Period gold gilt wooden frame with glass. It is signed *see second image,...
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1770s French Antique Louis XVI Historical Memorabilia

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Canvas, Glass, Giltwood

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18th Century Antique Oil Painting on Canvas Portrait of a Gentleman
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Religious Scene with Christ and His Disciples, 18th Century
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18th Century Spanish Oil Painting of Mary Magdalene
Located in Atlanta, GA
A breathtaking 18th century Spanish oil on canvas painting of Mary Magdalene - Madeleine - in is original frame. Beautiful detail.
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Fine French Ormolu, Marble, and Sevres Style Porcelain "Marie Antoinette" Clock
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Guillotine Cigar Cutter with Coffin Cigar Tip Box
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Tortoiseshell and Paper Fan
Located in London, GB
The tortoiseshell sticks finely pierced with silver and gold floral decoration, the paper fan painted with a Classical scene signed Zaboa**ka.
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Louis Xvi historical memorabilia for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Louis XVI historical memorabilia for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 18th Century and Earlier, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage historical memorabilia created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with canvas, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Louis XVI historical memorabilia made in a specific country, there are Europe, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for historical memorabilia differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $6,995 and tops out at $6,995 while the average work can sell for $6,995.

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