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 Restauration Bench Seat Wood Sofa Banquette Fabric of Your Choise 19th C
Located in Labrit, Landes
Antique French Restoration-Period Chaise Longue on wheels, 19th Century Louis Philippe Period, France circa 1840 An elegant French chaise longue dating from the Restoration period, ...
Upholstery, Wood
Louis Philippe Style Striped Silk Upholstered Mahogany Settee
Located in Astoria, NY
Louis Philippe Style Upholstered Mahogany Settee, with cream and golden striped silk and cotton upholstery, scroll form arms and five cabriole legs. 37" H x 41.5" W x 16.5"; seat: 1...
Upholstery, Mahogany
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
$960Sale Price|20% Off
H 35.5 in W 60 in D 26 in
Antique Classical Continental Carved Mahogany Upholstered Settee, C1920
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Classical Continental Carved Mahogany Upholstered Settee, C1920 Measures- 35.5'' H x 60'' W x 26'' D; SH: 19.5'' A Continental mahogany settee from circa 1920, featuring eleg...
Upholstery, Mahogany
$2,396Sale Price|20% Off
H 38.5 in W 53.5 in D 33 in
Fine Quality Giltwood Aubusson Upholstered French Louis XVI Style Settee
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exquisite French Louis XVI style settee is a masterpiece of elegance, refinement, and craftsmanship. Featuring a finely carved giltwood frame, the settee is adorned with delicat...
Beech
French Louis XV Style Carved-Wood & Upholstered Settee
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XV style sofa from the mid-19th century. This antique settee from France upholstered features a gently arched top rail at back, carved acanthus leaves decorated the sk...
Upholstery, Wood
$3,179Sale Price|20% Off
H 37.41 in W 86.62 in D 27.56 in L 37.41 in
Biedermeier Sofa Couch Empire Settle Swedish 19th Century 3-4 Seat Loveseat
Located in Lewes, England
Antique Swedish Biedermeier Empire sofa in top grade quilted figured veneers in a rich deep French polish finish. Lovely curved legs, arms and back with a fully sprung seat and web...
Birch
$2,500 / set
H 30 in W 54 in D 31 in
French Louis XV Provincial Style Upholstered Loveseat Sofa Settee - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Louis XV Provincial Style Upholstered Loveseat Sofa Settee Set- a Pair. Item features solid wood construction, shapely carved cabriole legs with gold accents, slightly...
Fabric, Walnut
Louis XV Mahogany Carved Settee, Canape / Sofa, Floral Silk Upholstery
Located in Stamford, CT
Small Louis XV Mahogany Carved Settee / Sofa, Floral Silk Upholstery A simply stunning Louis XV Style Canape or Settee having a walnut solid wood frame circa 1940 recently recovered...
Wood
$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
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.
$3,179Sale Price|20% Off
H 37.41 in W 82.68 in D 29.93 in
Swedish Biedermeier Sofa Couch Honey Color, 3-4 Seat, 19th Century Empire Rare A
By Biedermeier
Located in Lewes, England
Swedish Biedermeier 3-4 seat sofa couch in beautiful light honey color French polish finish with curved arm detailing and carved applique decorative motifs in the highest quality qui...
Birch
$3,095 / set
H 36 in W 68 in D 30 in
1980s French Louis XVI Style Upholstered Rope Twist Settees with Gold
Located in Perkasie, PA
Pair French Louis XVI Style Rope Twist Settees – Item 65123EC This stunning matching pair of French Louis XVI-style settees combines graceful classical proportions with beautifully ...
Upholstery
$17,500Sale Price / set|50% Off
H 46.75 in W 68 in D 27 in
Louis XVI Style Carved Mahogany tapestry Upholstered parlor suite, 6 pieces
Located in Houston, TX
A grand salon suite comprising a settee, four arm chairs and one side chair Each finely detailed with a crest rail centering a ribbon- tied berried branch and wreath pendant above a...
Tapestry, Wood, Mahogany
Antique French Louis Philippe Upholstered Walnut Sofa
Located in Denver, 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