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.
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
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
Louis XV Style Giltwood Bergere Armchairs
Located in London, GB
A pair of Louis XV style giltwood bergère armchairs with cabriole legs, upholstered seat, back and arm rests, the front feet on castors...
Giltwood
$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
$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
Pair of French Louis XV Style Giltwood Bergère Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition Materials: Giltwood, Original Upholstery
Upholstery, Giltwood
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
Carved Walnut Art Nouveau French Corner Chair
By J. Horner
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very fine carved walnut French Art Nouveau corner lounge chair.
Upholstery, Walnut
4 French Louis XV Style Cane Back Upholstered Open Armchairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 35 1/2 in W: 22 1/2 in D: 22 in SH: 19 in This stunning set of four 20th century French Louis XV style armchairs epitomizes the grace and elegance of the 18th-centur...
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
$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
$1,685
H 31 in W 27.5 in D 26 in
Antique French Carved Oak Corner Arm Chair Renaissance Louis XIV style
Located in Choudrant, LA
Antique French carved oak corner arm chair Renaissance Louis XIV style ~Direct from France~ ~Beautiful carving throughout this versatile antique Fren...
Oak
$950
H 32 in W 27 in D 26.5 in
Handsome Antique Chippendale Style Walnut & Shearling Corner Desk Chair
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Handsome corner shaped roundabout desk chair having rich walnut frame with curved wooden backrest and carved splats, updated with luxurious top of the line shearling upholstery.
Upholstery, Walnut
Vintage Rosewood Hand Carved Oriental Corner Chair
Located in Germantown, MD
Vintage rosewood hand carved oriental corner chair Chic solid rosewood oriental corner chair hand carved in front and back. This charming piec...
Rosewood
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...