The style of 18th-century French furniture was guided by the court. When Louis XV, who reigned from 1715–74, focused royal life on the smaller salons of Versailles rather than its grand chambers, it transformed the aesthetics away from the imposing and angular furniture that characterized the style of Louis XIV. A broader focus on comfort and more delicate forms define antique Louis XV furniture, with nature-inspired carvings, wood inlays, curved cabriole legs, asymmetrical shapes and rounded oval seat backs. The furnishings changed throughout the king’s life, as he ascended to the throne as a child and then grew to establish his own tastes.
Pieces like the bergère, an upholstered armchair with a wide cushion that fit the flowing dresses in fashion at the time, reflected this more informal court. Introduced at the start of Louis XV’s reign, bergère chairs in this style were deeper and broader than other chairs of the period.
Louis XV tapestries and carpets tended to be floral and colorful, and design elements were borrowed from Asia. Dutch-born cabinetmaker Bernard van Risenburgh brought lacquer techniques influenced by Japan and China into his luxuriously made furniture. Along with its fine details, the furniture of the era also featured new innovations including mechanical devices. Jean François Oeben, a royal cabinetmaker, created such intricate pieces as a mechanical table for Madame de Pompadour, Louis XV’s mistress. It involved a sliding top and a writing surface that extended from its marquetry panels.
During the later years of Louis XV’s reign, there was a shift from the ostentatious rocaille style, part of the exuberantly decorative Rococo movement in Europe for which designers such as Nicolas Pineau and Juste-Aurèle Meissonier are known. The style under Louis XVI would return to boxier forms, but with a neoclassical touch inspired by the ancient world.
Find antique Louis XV bedroom furniture, seating, tables and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
Louis XV Style Walnut and Caned French Provincial Bergere
Located in Montreal, QC
This shapely corner armchair has unusually positioned legs. The curving arms ,legs and caned sides and seat all contribute a sense of lightness , the carving is excellent.
Cane, Walnut
French Louis XV Style Carved Walnut Corner Chair
Located in Vienna, AT
The low curving back centered by a splat of pierced foliate scrolls, cabriole legs, restoration will be done on request Diamentions: Height 32", Widht 27" Depth 33"
Walnut
$450
H 28.5 in W 28.5 in D 26 in
Vintage French Country Louis XV Style Carved Walnut Low Bergere Lounge Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Country Louis XV Style Carved Walnut Low Bergere Lounge Chair. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 28.5" H x 28.5" W x 26" D x 18" Seat height x 22.5" Arm height.
Walnut
20th Century French Louis XV Style Bergere
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 20th-century French bergère is an elegant representation of the Louis XV style, known for its graceful curves and refined ornamentation. The frame of the chair is crafted from c...
Beech, Walnut
$668Sale Price|20% Off
H 40.16 in W 28.35 in D 21.66 in
French Armchair Bergere Louis-Philippe Period, Louis XV Style circa 1800, France
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very nice bergere armchair from the Louis-Philippe period, in the Louis XV style. Large comfortable but elegant armchair. The seat and back are well padded (as well as the armrests) to give it a very comfortable and soft seat. The legs are curved, the wood is solid and upholstery nails run through the bottom of the seat and the left and right sides of the armrests. This armchair is upholstered with a fine cream-coloured tapestry with vegetal and floral motifs, bunches of grapes, knots and foliage. The tapestry presents a fine and delicate decoration in light tones. Note: the upholstery has some marks of time (wear or tears) (especially on the edges of the armrests) France - circa 1800 The Louis XIV style is a furnishing style covering more or less the period of the reign of Louis XIV (1661 to 1715). This style is characterized by the majesty and richness of its furnishings. The Louis XIV style follows the Louis XIII style. The furniture is increasingly luxurious, but unlike previous styles, it is almost no longer inspired by architecture. There are two kinds of furniture: ceremonial furniture richly decorated with veneers and inlays (especially with André-Charles Boulle), solid gilt wood and bourgeois furniture in solid wood. The style is characterized above all by its absolute symmetry and an important and ostentatious dimension. The Louis XIV style is of Italian and ancient inspiration. The style emerged with the advent of the reign of Louis XIV in 1661 and lasted until the end of the 17th century. In 1690, on the death of Lebrun, decorator to the King, the style declined and was gradually replaced by the Regency style. The Palace of Versailles is obviously extremely and lastingly marked by the Louis XIV style. His long reign made it possible to impose the unique style of the Grand...
Wood
$5,850 / set
H 32 in W 22 in D 18 in
Four French Louis XV Style Fauteuils / Office Chairs, Cane and Leather
Located in Stamford, CT
Four French Louis XVI Style Fauteuils / Lounge or Office Chairs, Cane and Leather A stunning set of four chairs, can purchase only a pair if only a pair are required. Each having c...
Leather, Walnut
French Louis XV Style Caned Bergère Armchair
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Rare early 19th century caned Louis XV bergère armchair in very good condition featuring graceful curves and hand carved. The graceful walnut frame is complimented with caning on all...
Wood
$1,395 / set
H 38.5 in W 23 in D 20 in
Baker Furniture Style French Provincial Louis XV Carved Walnut Armchairs, Pair
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of French Provincial Louis XV style armchairs or dining captain chairs In the manner of Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Carved solid walnut frames, with caned bac...
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
American Georgian Walnut Upholstered Corner Chair, Circa 1770
Located in Charleston, SC
American Georgian walnut corner chair with carved splat backs, carved decorative molded edge, scrolled arms, turned ringed columns, carved corner fret...
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique French Provincial Rush Corner Chair Carved Oak 19th C.
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique 19th c. French Bobbin rush corner chair. French rush-seat corner chair, Coin du Feu. 19th Century French Provincial-style carved oak armchair with open backs and rush seat....
Rush, Oak
Vintage French Provincial Louis XV Style Upholstered Porters Chair
Located in New York, NY
Vintage French Provincial Louis XV Style Upholstered Porters Chair in cream painted finish. Some staining and small tares to upholstery, as shown in the pictures this chair will need...
Upholstery, Hardwood
Pair of French Louis XV Style Giltwood Bergère Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition Materials: Giltwood, Original Upholstery
Upholstery, Giltwood
$575Sale Price|52% Off
H 34 in W 23.5 in D 17 in
Chinese Export Oriental Hand Carved Rosewood Corner Chair
Located in Plainview, NY
A beautiful Chinese export oriental corner chair. The chair is finely hand-carved of quality rosewood with shiny lacquer finish and is made using...
Rosewood
$995 / set
H 37.5 in W 27.5 in D 28 in
French Louis XV Provincial Style Carved Walnut Cane Back Arm Chairs - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Louis XV Provincial Style Carved Walnut Cane Back Arm Chairs - a Pair. Item features cane backs, solid wood frame, upholstered armrests, nicely carved details, cabriol...
Cane, Walnut
Sold
H 37 in W 21 in D 25 in
Beautifully Pair of Dark Walnut Cane back and Seated Swiveling Corner Chairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a beautiful pair of 1930-40s era swiveling corner chairs in the Louis XV style. The chairs are in good vintageb condition and may have some small losses to the finish on the ...
Cane, Walnut
Antique Cane Corner Chair
Located in Denton, TX
Hand carved curved beechwood French corner chair with blind hole cane and removable cushion. Please see pictures of the fire breathing salamander with crown stamped on the bottom.
Cane, Beech
18th/ 19th Century French Bergère de Bureau or Corner Chair
Located in Stamford, CT
Louis XV 18th/ 19th Century French Bergère de Bureau or Corner Chair in a fine green leather.
Leather, Wood
Creme Painted Swiveling French Louis XV Cane Corner Occasional Chair
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
For customers that require professional insured delivery we are proud to have teamed up with a nationwide professional delivery company that will assist with coordinating your delive...
Hardwood
French Gilt Louis XV Style Corner Chair
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
French distressed gilt Louis XV style corner chair on casters.
Upholstery, Wood
French Walnut Corner Chair
Located in Hixson, TN
A 1900s-1930s French walnut upholstered shaped corner chair. There is a removable seat, red velvet coverings and fine carvings.
French 18th Century Walnut Corner Cane Chair
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
18th Century French walnut corner caned chair with a thin parchment colored leather pillow.
Leather, Wicker, Walnut
Louis XV Painted Double Cane Back Corner Chair
Located in Hixson, TN
Louis XV Painted Double Cane Back Corner Chair. This chair has a serpentine front and resting on cabriole legs. There are carvings with worn gold high...