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.
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
French Louis XIV Three-Seat Walnut Sofa
Located in Troy, NY
A settee of small size, elegant lines and understated details, triple-arch-back, open scrolling arms, the seat supported by four turned front legs connected by turned center stretche...
Upholstery, Walnut
Fine French Carved Walnut Gold Shipped Upholstery Fabric Sofa MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Fine French Carved Walnut Gold Shipped Upholstery Fabric Sofa MINT!
Upholstery, Walnut
$18,376
H 35.44 in W 72.84 in D 41.34 in
Vintage George Smith Kilim Upholstered Three Seat Couch or Sofa Feather Cushions
By George Smith
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original George Smith three seat sofa with the period Kilim upholstery and feather filled cushions A stunning sofa which is one of G...
Upholstery
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
$3,773
H 28.94 in W 69.69 in D 38.39 in
ViNTAGE HAND DYED BROWN LEATHER ART DECO THREE SEAT SOFA FEATHER FILLED SEAT
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage hand made in England Art Deco style reddish brown leather sofa with overstuffed feather ...
Leather
$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
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
$4,116
H 35.04 in W 78.75 in D 30.32 in
1940s Kaare Klint Three Seater Sofa, Hardwood Legs & Striped Wool Upholstery
Located in London, GB
1940s Kaare Klint Three Seater Sofa, with Mahogany Legs & Striped Wool Upholstery with Leather Trim. Usable condition. Bespoke quote ca...
Leather, Wool, Hardwood
$3,850
H 41 in W 75 in D 33.5 in
Refined and Chic French Louis XV Carved Walnut Settee Sofa Canape Circa 1920
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This refined French Louis XV carved walnut settee, circa 1920, embodies the elegance and sophistication of classic French design. With its graceful serpentine back, scrolled arms, an...
Walnut
Sold|$1,800
H 44 in W 67 in D 32.5 in
Antique French Mahogany Loveseat or Settee, Lion Paw Feet Unrestored c1800's
Located in Highwood, IL
Antique French settee or loveseat deconstructed and probably made in the late 1800's. When you take a hard look at the lion paw feet, you'll noti...
Fabric, Mahogany
Antique French Walnut Double Caned & Hand Carved
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous French Art Noveau walnut with double caning, front and back, hand carved settee. Sweeping lines with cabriolet legs, all hand carved stained and lacquered. In excellent anti...
Cane, Walnut, Lacquer
$2,250
H 37.5 in W 64 in D 32.5 in
Vintage French Country Louis XV Carved Walnut Cheetah Print Wingback Sofa Settee
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage French Country Louis XV Style Carved Walnut Wingback Sofa Settee. Item featur...
Wood, Walnut
$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 Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Finn Juhl
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
Mid-Century Modern Two-Seater Sofa by Jens Risom, Walnut Frame, 1955
By Jens Risom
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A small, vintage Mid-Century Modern American two seater sofa or settee with four pillows, designed and produced by Jens Risom Design, Model U-151, in good condition. The seat, back rest of the divano is slightly inclinated with a button-tufted back and two straight arms, supported by a hand crafted Walnut frame, standing of four small curved wooden feet. Newly upholstered in an orange velvet. Wear consistent with age and use, circa 1955, New York, United States. Seat: 18.5" H x 44.5" W x 19.5" D Pillows: 20" H x 20" W x 7" D Jens Risom was a Danish, American furniture designer born in 1916, in Copenhagen, Denmark and passed away in 2016, in New Canaan, United States. He finished his apprenticeship as a designer at the Copenhagen School...
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut
Antique French Scroll End Settee
Located in London, GB
A charming and beautiful antique French scroll end settee, dating from around the 1880-1900 period. It is beautifully designed and is of very fine quality. It is a lovely, compact s...
Cotton, Birch
Antique French Carved Gilt Wood Settee
Located in London, GB
A stunning antique French carved gilt wood settee. This was made in France, it dates from around the 1890-1910 period. It is of amazing quality, with beautiful and intricate carving...
Cotton, Cane, Giltwood
Super French Curved Sofa
Located in Swadlincote, GB
A very nice French deep buttoned walnut curved sofa with feather filled cushions, in original very good condition. You are welcome to view this item at our showroom, please phone ah...
Walnut
Sold
H 35.75 in W 70.5 in D 27 in
Early 20th-C. French Louis XIV Style Carved Walnut Caned Settee W/ Down Cushion
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is an early 20th century French Louis XIV style carved walnut settee with caned back and seat. The down cushion is vintage but in decent shape and about 5” thick. It has a nice ...
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
Louis XIV Bench Base In Carved And Molded Sheep Bone Walnut
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Louis XIV Bench Base In Carved And Molded Sheep Bone Walnut. 17th Century. Top seat upholstered in velvet and large nails.
Wood
Antique Louis XIV Mahogany Settee W Fortuny Fabric
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Louis XIV Mahogany Settee W Fortuny Fabric
Fabric, Wood
19th C. French Gilt Wood Louis XIV Style Settee
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th Century French Louis XiV style gilt wood settee depicting carved wood angels, flowers, cartouches, acanthus leaves and more. The settee is newly upholstered in a cream velvet wi...
Velvet, Giltwood
Sold
H 47 in W 74.25 in D 30.5 in
French Louis XIV Style Distressed Paint Decorated Settee With Floral Upholstery
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions- H: 47in W: 74 1/4in D: 30 1/2in SH: 21 1/2in This is an amazing piece of Louis XIV style furniture the distressed finish looks re...
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 40 in W 88 in D 38 in
Antique Louis Style Carved Ornate Parlor Set Newly Upholstered - 2 piece set
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Louis Style Carved Ornate Parlor Set Newly Upholstered in a High End Purple Mohair - 2 Piece Set This beautiful set includes a settee and armchair...
Mohair, Wood
French Louis XIV Settee
Located in Chicago, IL
An incredible 17th century French Louis XIV period settee with a wide perfectly pitched square back, eight turned legs carved with acanthus leaves wit...
Wood
19th C. French Gilt Wood Louis XIV Style Settee
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th Century French Louis XiV style gilt wood settee depicting carved wood angels, flowers, cartouches, acanthus leaves and more. The settee is newly upholstered in a cream velvet wi...
Velvet, Giltwood
Louis XIV Style French Hand Carved Gilt Upholstered Settee
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Nice hand carved Giltwood settee from the 1960's in the Louis the 14th style. Chair has been reupholstered. 36 inches wide by 32 inches high.
Upholstery, Giltwood