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.
French Antique Style Cane Loveseat
Located in New York, NY
French antique style cane loveseat. The loveseat has a loose cushioned and a cane seat and back. Nice carvings to the top back.
Cane, Wood
Louis XIV Antique Style Tufted Loveseat
Located in New York, NY
Louis XIV antique style tufted loveseat. The loveseat has solid walnut legs, a down cushioned seat with gold upholstery.
Upholstery, Walnut
Louis XIV Style Walnut Loveseat
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful French carved frame, tufted loveseat / sofa. Has a goose-down loose cushioned seat.
Upholstery, Walnut
Danish 1940's Loveseat with Open Wooden Armrest and Green Striped Wool
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Very charming loveseat from the 1940's in the style of Alfred Christensen. Maker and Designer is unknown but the style is very similar to designs by Fritz Hansen and Alfred Christens...
Wool, Beech
$3,750
H 30.75 in W 64 in D 28 in
Danish 1950s Settee or Loveseat in Green Wool in the Style of Peter Hvidt
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic and very elegant lines very much in the style of the early Danish iconic Designer, Peter Hvidt made circa 1950. Back and seat nice and firm and frame on Cuban mahogany legs r...
Wool, Mahogany
Finn Juhl Style Sofa or Loveseat by Slagelse Mobelvaerk, 1940s
By Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Finn Juhl
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Superbly elegant Finn Juhl style sofa or settee made by Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Denmark sometime in the 1940s. Perfectly balanced lines and proportions providing for a solid and sturdy ...
Wool, Beech
Antique Wicker Loveseat by Larkin & Co., Arts and Crafts Style, USA
By Larkin & Co.
Located in Southampton, NJ
American Victorian natural wicker woven roll design high back loveseat with spindles and bobbins on the back and apron and cane seat. The settee fea...
Brass
$3,995 / set
H 24 in W 63 in D 33 in
Pair of Chrome Framed Grey Velvet Loveseats Style of Milo Baughman
Located in Hanover, MA
Pair of vintage 1970's chrome framed cantilevered loveseat sofas in the style of Milo Baughman and similar to seating groups of the period by Selig and Bernhardt's Flair division. T...
Steel, Chrome
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Loveseat
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Loveseat. Offered is a beautiful antique French Louis XVI style or French Empire style loveseat or petit cana...
Linen, Wood
$2,375Sale Price|54% Off
H 27 in W 64 in D 39 in
'Bounty' Leather Loveseat by L. Davanzati for The Pace Collection, 1980s
By Pace Collection, Lorenzo Forges Davanzati, Elam
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A lovely example of the 'Bounty' series two-seat loveseat / settee by The Pace Collection in the early 1980s, this deep seated channel-tufted loveseat sofa was designed by L. Davantazi produced by Elam and retailed by The Pace Collection. Perfect for a cigar, whiskey or wine lounge or any space that can use something a bit modern yet still refined and classy. *Note, we have the matching club lounge chair and three-seater couch in another listing. Last two photos show the entire set. See our other listings or contact us for more details if you wish to create a living room or office / hotel lobby set. This channel-tufted leather love seat retains its original supple leather upholstery in an intriguing deep burgundy-brown color, almost like dark-cognac with beautiful lightly aged leather patina. The sumptuous seats are encased in a dark colored lacquer, providing an attractive modern contrast with the rich and elegant leather. This two-seater sofa has casters for ease of relocation according to occasion and mood or to better suit a view. The back is finished with tufted leather making this loveseat look incredible when floating in a room with the back exposed. Curved Art Deco styled arms lend 1980s juxtaposition and character to any room. Similar in style to the Saratoga Sofa by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova 1970s, but at a fraction of the price. Plus something you don't get with the Saratoga sofa is the refined style of the elegant channel-tufted leather cushions on this Bounty loveseat sofa by The Pace Collection. The Pace Collection also offered the highly sought after collection by Guido Faleschini such as the Tucroma chair which is an interior designer and 20th century Modern design collector's favorite go to chair. Another example is the wild 1970s bed that featured interior design magazine covers when Lenny Kravitz home was featured with the Mariani bed...
Leather, Lacquer
$8,600
H 33.5 in W 57 in D 32 in
Finn Juhl Attributed Danish Loveseat Model 188 by Slagelse Mobelvaerk, 1950s DN
By Finn Juhl, Slagelse Mobelvaerk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Superbly elegant Finn Juhl attributed sofa or settee made by Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Denmark sometime in the 1940s as Model Number 188. The lines and proportions of this design are just...
Wool, Beech
Vintage Brighton Pavilion Pagoda Loveseat, Bamboo & Rattan, 1950s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Charming Brighton Pavillion Pagoda style loveseat with beautiful fretwork back and sides. Very fine detail. A beautiful and special piece. Use as is or ad...
Bamboo, Rattan
Fancy Louis XVI Giltwood Sofa Loveseat with New Silk Upholstery
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Louis XVI style sofa having carved gilded wood and beautiful new upholstery. The lovely frame displays fluted columns topped by acanthus leaves. The base is composed of fluted and ta...
Upholstery, Giltwood
$4,800
H 37.75 in W 50.25 in D 24 in
Antique French Exquisitely Carved and Newly Upholstered Sofa or Loveseat
Located in Hopewell, NJ
French Louis XVI sofa or loveseat from the 19th century in carved walnut. Features a gently bowed back, fluted legs, and intricate neoclassical carving throughout. New upholstery in ...
Upholstery, Walnut
$3,040Sale Price|20% Off
H 24 in W 59.5 in D 32 in
Leather Box Style Loveseat Sofa by Charles Pfister for Knoll
By Knoll, Charles Pfister
Located in New York, NY
Chic, sophisticated, and voguish loveseat sofa, designed by Charles Pfister for Knoll. This example was executed in grayish blue leather, it is in good, original condition, showing l...
Leather
French Louis XIV Style Walnut Loveseat or Sofa
Located in Houston, TX
French Louis XIV style walnut loveseat or sofa. This stunning French Os de Mouton style walnut loveseat was taken down to the fame and professionally upholstered in oatmeal linen. St...
Walnut
Carved Tufted Louis XIV Mahogany and Walnut Loveseat Settee
Located in West Hartford, CT
Elegant tufted Louis XIV settee with intricate carvings of mahogany and walnut throughout.
Fabric, Mahogany, Walnut
Luxurious Louis XIV Carved Walnut and Faux Leopard Loveseat Settee
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A special very sexy little loveseat having a beautiful French carved walnut frame and sumptuous Boussac faux animal print upholstery. Seat cushion is down filled and beckoning.
Upholstery, Walnut
French Provincial Loveseat Frame
Located in New York, NY
French Provincial love seat with white paint finish ( worn ). This settee will need to be reupholstered, we are offering it as a frame only...
Upholstery