Known as the “Citizen King,” Louis Philippe reigned from 1830 to the Revolution of 1848 with the support of the upper bourgeoisie. Whereas the monarchs of 18th-century France, including Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI, dictated aesthetics through the decadence of the aristocratic court, Louis Philippe had a more down-to-earth presence. He could be seen walking the streets like an ordinary person, carrying his own umbrella and shaking hands with subjects. Antique Louis Philippe–style furniture reflects a sense of simplicity and the sovereign’s passion for the country’s history, such as his establishment of a Museum of the History of France at Versailles, which had been mostly disused since the French Revolution.
Middle Ages, Gothic and Renaissance design informed a nationalist style that celebrated this heritage, with the hodgepodge of influences becoming prevalent in the homes of the bourgeoisie. Cabinetmakers Guillaume and Jean-Michel Grohé created reproductions of historic pieces for the king as well as royal houses abroad. Louis Philippe commissioned sculptor François Rude to create patriotic monuments that paid tribute to military heroes, while designs for furniture published by Claude-Aimé Chenavard, an ornamentalist who conceived widely loved objects for the Sèvres manufactory, further helped spread a revival of Renaissance style.
The rounded profiles of authentic Louis Philippe tables and chairs were preferred in the apartments rather than palaces being furnished by the affluent middle and upper classes. Ornamentation was minimal on the finely crafted pieces, such as large rectangular mirrors adorned with gold and silver leaf finishes and subdued carvings. The popular Louis Philippe commodes were solidly made with clean lines that showed off the grain of the wood and were often topped with marble surfaces.
Find a collection of antique Louis Philippe seating, dining tables, bedroom furniture and other items on 1stDibs.
French Louis Philippe Bench Seat Wood Sofa or Banquette French 19th Midcentury
Located in Labrit, Landes
Louis Philippe banquette or sofa on wheels Carved with floral decorations and canelures. France circa 1840 Good seating with springs. The fabric can be...
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century Louis Philippe Period French Mahogany Sofa ca. 1850
Located in Dallas, TX
The tailored yet graceful lines of the Louis Philippe period have transcended time, as evidenced by this 19th century Louis Philippe sofa, handcrafted from exotic imported mahogany a...
Fabric, Mahogany
$4,428
H 31.89 in W 29.53 in D 32.29 in
A 19th Century French Provincial Armchairs Louis-Philippe Period, Bordeaux
Located in London, GB
A 19th-century French provincial armchair of compact and well-judged proportions, offering a comfortable scale suited to both traditional and relaxed interior settings. Originating ...
Fabric, Burlap, Linen, Upholstery, Beech, Coconut, Down, Feathers
Austro-German 19th Century Biedermeier Sofa
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A fabulous Biedermeier style settee from 19th century Bavaria made from exceptionally beautiful, solid maple in a sheltering design like a banquette to enclose the upholstery. Some a...
Upholstery, Maple
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Settee
Located in Chicago, IL
A 19th century French Louis XVI style giltwood settee with a floral cartouche at the top of the back, and circled in a carved ribbon motif, with fluted and tapered legs. The back and...
Wool, Upholstery
$3,500
H 39.5 in W 55 in D 28 in
19th C. French Louis XV Style Mahogany and Needlepoint Tapestry Settee
Located in Germantown, MD
A French Louis XV style Settee features walnut frame with carved foliate, floral and scroll decoration; upholstered in pictorial needlepoint tapestry depicting courting scene in gard...
Tapestry, Upholstery, Walnut
French 19th Century Directoire Settee
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A sumptuous French 19th century settee, Directoire in style, with original painted finish of French gray-blue and spruce green. The tightly upholstered seatback and bench seat is don...
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Rare 19th Century Napoleon III Brocade Sofa
Located in Puglia, Puglia
French sofa from the 19th century, Napoleon III period. The sofa has been restored and the upholstery replaced with a beautiful Italian Brocade. France...
Brocade, Beech
$2,814Sale Price|20% Off
H 36.23 in W 77.96 in D 25.6 in
Swedish 19th Century Original Painted Louis XV / Gustavian Cabriole Sofa, Settee
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
An elegant Swedish Louis XV–inspired cabriole sofa dating to the 19th century, showcasing refined Gustavian aesthetics and original painted surfaces. Crafted from solid pine, this se...
Wool, Pine
Elegant Italian Venetian Style Sofa, Early 19th C
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian Venetian style carved wood & upholstered sofa from the early 19th century. This antique settee from Italy features an elegantly arched camel back with gracefully outward t...
Upholstery, Wood
$3,498Sale Price|35% Off
H 37.41 in W 74.81 in D 27.96 in
Swedish Biedermeier Sofa Empire Couch Honey Color, 3 Seat, 19th Century Ormolu A
By Biedermeier
Located in Lewes, England
Rare Swedish Biedermeier 2-3 seat sofa couch in classic light honey color French polish finish with wonderful curved arm detailing and ormolu style decorative ends and motifs in the ...
Birch
$3,338Sale Price|30% Off
H 34.06 in W 58.67 in D 27.56 in
Swedish Gustavian Sofa Couch Loveseat White Carved, Late 19th Century 3-Seat
Located in Lewes, England
Swedish antique Gustavian sofa in classic white finish with delicately carved detailing decorative front fluted legs and a central carved motif along the back. Fine example of the l...
Birch
19th Century Russian Empire Period Neoclassical Salon Suite
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and most impressive five-piece Russian neoclassical partial gilt carved wood upholstered salon suite. Born in the 19th century, during the ...
Silk, Mahogany, Giltwood
19th Century Biedermeier Settee or Sofa
Located in Milford, NH
A 19th century Biedermeier birch settee or sofa, ebonized detail, freshly appointed in Belgian linen, raised on four sea serpent or dolphin foliate carved feet.
Antique French Louis Philippe Upholstered Walnut Sofa
Located in Sheridan, CO
French Louis Philippe period walnut sofa, mid to late 19th c. The sofa features a curved crest, open scrolled armrests, rising on volute supports. This sofa was upholstered later. U...
Textile, Walnut
Sold
H 39.38 in W 70.87 in D 22.84 in
19th Century Italian Louis Philippe Carved Walnut Antique Settee
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Italian Antique settee circa 1845 of the period Louis Philippe. The settee is made of solid walnut wood hand carved. In good antique conditions of the ...
Walnut
Sold
H 42.92 in W 64.97 in D 26.78 in
French Louis Philippe Walnut Red Sofa or Banquette French 19th Midcentury
Located in Labrit, Landes
Louis Philippe banquette or sofa on wheels Scalloped model, very atypical, carved with floral decorations and canelures. France circa 1840 Good seat...
Upholstery, Walnut
Sold
H 36.62 in W 70.87 in D 27.56 in
French Louis Philippe Walnut Sofa or Banquette French 19 th Midcentury
Located in Labrit, Landes
Louis Philippe Banquette or sofa France circa 1850 Good seating but fabric needs to be changed Walnut and upholstery Shipping: W 180 D 70 H 93 cm 25 kg.
Upholstery, Walnut
French 19th Century Louis-Philippe Cane Settee
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French 19th century Louis-Philippe Cane settee.
Cane, Walnut
Sold
H 38.19 in W 67.72 in D 22.45 in
19th Century Italian Louis Philippe Carved Beech Wood Antique Settee
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Antique settee 1845s in full Louis Philippe era. The settee is made of solid beech wood hand carved. Refined velvet in blue color. Excellent antique good conditions of the wood, some...
Beech
19th Century French Louis Philippe Fruitwood Sofa with Dark Brown Velvet
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Louis Philippe Fruitwood Sofa with Dark Brown Velvet features graceful lines and a timeless elegance that transcends styles from ...
Velvet, Cherry
19th Century Sofa
Located in Buchanan, NY
Late 19th century French mahogany sofa upholstered in blue velvet with brass nailheads.
Fabric, Wood
French 19th Century Walnut Louis Philippe Canapé
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This sensational canapé was made in France, circa 1870. The settee has been made in the Louis Philippe style, with carefully book matched walnut veneer that is stunning. The sofa is ...
Velvet, Walnut
Classic Flame Mahogany 19th Century Louis Philippe Daybed
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A gorgeous 19th century Louis-Philippe daybed of rich flame mahogany having scrolled head and foot boards and a wide front board which features subtle carvings. The twin size posture...
Mahogany
French Louis Philippe Settee
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Lovely French settee in the Louis Philippe style, mid-19th century.
Louis Philippe Settee
Located in New York, NY
Period Louis Philippe Walnut settee upholstered in burlap. Having scalloped back and feet with beautiful Walnut wood grain. Fabric backed allowing this sofa to be placed floating wi...
Walnut