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Louis XVI Scientific Instruments

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
Period: 20th Century
Louis Xvi Style Carved Wood Paint and Parcel Gilt Barometer
Located in Nashville, TN
A pretty and highly decorative barometer of banjo form, marked ‘Palladio’ and Italy . Hand carved with leaves , ropes , fruit and flutes . The case probably having distressed fini...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Louis XVI Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Beautiful Carved Giltwood Louis XVI Style Lyre Barometer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Beautiful carved giltwood Louis XVI style Lyre Barometer, with center dial with French inscriptions, the lower part fitted with glass thermometer.
Category

Early 20th Century European Louis XVI Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass, Giltwood

Related Items
18th Century Louis XVI Giltwood Wall Barometer
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A beautifully carved and giltwood 18th century Louis XVI wall barometer having its original mercury tube and mechanism but presently with the mercury missing.    
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Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Scientific Instruments

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Giltwood

Antique French Louis XVI Period Signed Carcano Wall Barometer
By Jean-Joseph de Saint-Germain
Located in Forney, TX
A magnificent nearly 250 year old Louis XVI period (1774–1793) hand carved and painted parcel gilt French wall thermometer and barometer signed Carcano. Exquisitely hand-crafted in Paris, France in the second half of the 18th century, exceptionally executed in Neoclassical inspired opulent period King Louis 16th taste. Impressive large size and fine quality craftsmanship, richly detailed, sculpted, polychrome decorated wooden case, surmounted by an ornate carved pineapple topped urn finial, garnished with a single garland swag, over a contoured and rounded solid wood frame creating a most elegant elongated banjo cartel clock silhouette, adorned with brilliant water gilded running ornamentation, outlining the beautifully aged light and airy muted pale green paint finish. Featuring the original hand decorated enamel dial signed Antonio Carcano (1755-1820) a distinguished scientific instrument inventor. The dial is signed: "Jofeph" "Carcano" "Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Denis"  "Fripiere au phenix" Having a hand-blown glass thermometer retaining remnants of the hand-painted paper label inscribed with atmospheric condition details, over an early barometer with hand painted dial and metal hands, protected behind convex glazed glass face. Mechanical: The wooden planked verso is fitted with an open channel that retains the original mechanical components, including a pair of liquid metal mercury filled glass tubes, vacuum mechanism, long column blown glass tube, stringing, and more. It does not appear to be working / operational, the string/rope deteriorating with age, etc.. but having the original parts is an exceptionally rare occurrence and highly unusual, as workings were commonly damaged and lost centuries ago. Dimensions (approx): 43" High, 12" Wide, 2.5" Deep History: Antoine Carcano (c. 1755-1820) An early maker of barometers, thermometers, and an inventor of various scientific instruments. Of Italian descent, he became famous in Paris, first at 37 rue de la Roquette and then at Place Dauphine. He supplied barometers and other scientific instruments to the Ecole Militaire in 1786; the following year he supplied a tube barometer to British optical instruments manufacturer Peter Dollond (1731-1821). During the Empire his clientele included Sir Benjamin Thompson...
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Late 18th Century French Antique Louis XVI Scientific Instruments

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Blown Glass, Giltwood, Paint, Wood

Louis XVI Style Carved Mantle, Fireplace Surround, Solid Wood Carved, Oak
Located in Stamford, CT
A Louis XVI style carved mantle, fireplace surround, solid wood carved. This stunning Solid Oak Fireplace Surround is wonderfully carved having been ...
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Late 20th Century Louis XVI Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Louis XVI Giltwood Barometer
Located in Essex, MA
Oval with a ribbon bow over an oval glass fronted barometer with grisaille painted panel with metal directionals. Inscribed Selon Torricelli.
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1790s French Antique Louis XVI Scientific Instruments

Materials

Giltwood

Louis XVI Giltwood Barometer
Louis XVI Giltwood Barometer
H 36.25 in W 25 in D 3 in
Louis XVI Style Barometers and Thermometers by H. Dasson, France, Circa 1880
Located in PARIS, FR
A companion pair of Louis XVI style barometer and thermometer finely decorated with gilt bronze acanthus leaves and seeds on green velvet, each with a polychrome decorated enamel pla...
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1880s French Antique Louis XVI Scientific Instruments

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Enamel, Bronze

Baroque Style Venetian Gilt Carved Barometer by Palladio
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous intentionally aged Venetian barometer made in the baroque taste by Italian artisans Palladio. The diamond shaped frame is painted and embellished with gilt scrollwork and ro...
Category

20th Century Italian Louis XVI Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

18th Century Louis XVI-Style Barometer in Gilded Wood adorned with Doves
Located in NICE, FR
We present you this exceptionally rare square-shaped Louis XVI-style barometer from the 18th century, crafted from gilded wood. Its pale blue wallpaper background is protected by co...
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18th Century French Antique Louis XVI Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass, Wood

French 18th Century Louis XVI Gilt Barometer
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A 18th Century Louis XVI French gold-gilt barometer circa 1780. This early instrument of meteorology was used to measure atmospheric pressure and air temperature. The barometer is adorned with hand carved details; a large bow, flowers, a flaming heart, laurel leaves and scrolls. The dial face is hand-painted and has been repaired over time. The barometer is no longer in working order and is now purely decorative. Be sure to view the detailed images to see this interesting antique up...
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18th Century French Antique Louis XVI Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Gold Leaf

18th Century French Louis XVI Giltwood Barometer
Located in Sheffield, MA
A stunningly beautiful 18th century French gold gilt barometer is a weather instrument with mercury-filled glass thermometer still in working order...
Category

1790s French Antique Louis XVI Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

19th Century Italian Carved Louis XVI Style Giltwood Barometer
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous late 19th century gilt wood barometer thermometer made in Italy in the Louis XVI or baroque taste. The large barometer features a large carve...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Louis XVI Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass

18th Century French Louis XVI Giltwood Barometer
Located in Sheffield, MA
A stunningly beautiful 18th century French gold gilt barometer is a weather instrument with mercury-filled glass thermometer still in working order...
Category

1790s French Antique Louis XVI Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

French Neo-Classical Style Louis XVI Style Carved Giltwood Barometer Wall Decor
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is amazing! It is a 19th century French Louis XVI style carved giltwood barometer. The crest appears to be a carved armillary of some sort with cascading laurel leaves and branc...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass, Giltwood

Previously Available Items
Louis XVI Style Giltwood Sunburst Form Barometer Casing
Located in Nashville, TN
French gilt barometer case, early 1900's incorporating earlier 18th century parts. The center wood facing dated 1789 and encased by a rare or at least unusual carved sunburst .Presents very well with bleeding of red bole against the gilding . Highly decorative. The sunburst part and the dial have warping or backwards tilt . Not in working order (toxic mercury tubing removed ) and priced accordingly . Primarily a decorative casing for wall decoration and presentation. In very good condition. The gilding sealed but with usual wear and bleeding of red bole. The wood dial earlier and dated 1789 , is warped on left and right sides most likely from sun or heat .Typical age and use nicks , cracks , minor losses and wear . The mercury barometer was invented in 1643 by Torricelli, a student of Galileo, in Florence, Italy. This remarkable device is used to measure atmospheric pressure, and those changes in pressure indicate a change in the weather. Interestingly, barometers were not originally used for meteorological observations, but for measuring heights and to use in air pump...
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Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Scientific Instruments

Materials

Giltwood

Louis XVI Style Paint and Giltwood Columnar Barometer Case of Banjo Form
Located in Nashville, TN
Highly decorative and of large scale (for a banjo form). French green central medallion with crème and gilded extensions.Convex glass . Ornamental as no longer working but pretty dec...
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Mid-20th Century Unknown Louis XVI Scientific Instruments

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Wood, Paint

Louis XVI Style Paint and Giltwood Columnar Barometer
Located in Nashville, TN
Highly decorative and of large scale (for a banjo form). French green central medallion with crème and gilded extensions. Wear to gilded area with red bole visible. Nicks, dings and...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Louis XVI Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Giltwood Carved Italian Decorative Wall Hanging With Lufft Barometer
Located in Stamford, CT
Giltwood Carved Italian Decorative Wall Hanging With Lufft Barometer having a bow and arrow decorative design. The back bearing a label made in Italy.
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Louis XVI Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Antique French Giltwood Barometer
Located in Brea, CA
Antique French giltwood barometer Measures 17.5" W x 39" H x 1.5" D The barometer has a glass front with original giltwood patina finish. T...
Category

Early 20th Century European Louis XVI Scientific Instruments

Materials

Giltwood

Antique French Giltwood Barometer
Antique French Giltwood Barometer
H 39 in W 17.5 in D 1.5 in

Louis Xvi scientific instruments for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Louis XVI scientific instruments for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage scientific instruments created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, wall decorations, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, giltwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Louis XVI scientific instruments made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original scientific instruments, popular names associated with this style include Eugene Hazart, Evangelista Torricelli, Henry Dasson, and François Linke. 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 scientific instruments differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,650 and tops out at $115,000 while the average work can sell for $4,875.

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