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.
Louis Philippe Desk Armchair or Fauteuil de Bureau of Leather and Turned Walnut
Located in Austin, TX
A fine French desk chair (fauteuil de bureau) from 19th century, featuring a frame crafted from walnut displaying the understated elegance and functional form typical of the Louis P...
Leather, Wood, Walnut
$425Sale Price|20% Off
Wooden Chair Louis Philippe Style 19th Century France
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Pretty low chair from the Napoleon III period with a very beautiful turned wooden backrest. This type of chair with a particularly low seat is also calle...
Wood
Pair of Rosewood Salon Chairs w/ Upholstery by John Henry Belter, circa 1844
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
Pair of American "scroll pattern" parlor chairs in rosewood by John Henry Belter or Johann Heinrich Belter, noted German American Cabinetmaker from 1844-1863, NYC. The technique used...
Upholstery, Muslin
Italian Baroque Louis Philippe Side Chairs or Slipper Chairs in Walnut, Restored
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Italian late 19th century, Baroque Louis Philippe, side chairs, slipper chairs in walnut, restored, wax polished and new upholstered with precious fabric by Fortuny- Venice - Measure...
Velvet, Walnut
$2,129 / set
Pair of Louis Philippe Low Chairs to Cover
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Pair of Louis Philippe low chairs to cover.
Walnut
Antique French Louis Philippe Gold Bronze and Rosewood Parlor Chair, circa 1880
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Louis Philippe gold bronze and rosewood parlor chair with red and gold upholstery, Circa 1880.
Bronze
$1,508 / set
H 37.41 in W 19.69 in D 15.75 in
Set of Four Louis XVI Style Chairs with Striped Silk Upholstery, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
A matched set of 19th century Louis XVI style dining or side chairs with walnut furniture, nicely carved floral rosettes, and new cream and light green striped silk upholstery. A Cla...
Silk, Walnut
$7,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 34.75 in W 24 in D 23 in
Parisian Pair of 18th Century Louis XVI Armchairs or Fauteuils, Stamped/Signed
Located in Miami, FL
Important French 18th Century Pair of Louis XVI Armchairs or Fauteuils, Stamped - Signed This exceptional pair of Louis XVI period armchairs, dating to the late 18th century, bears ...
Beech, Fabric
$2,890Sale Price|40% Off
H 49.61 in W 25.6 in D 25.79 in
Rare circa 1880 Burmese Solid Hardwood Hand Carved Floral Chair High Back Ornate
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to this absolutely stunning solid Rosewood hand carved high back low seat Burmese chair A truly stunning piece, this type of furniture is just about as ornate as ...
Hardwood
$16,802 / set
H 27.56 in W 17.72 in D 19.69 in
Pair of Gerrit Rietveld Steltman chairs - Netherlands, 1963
Located in London, GB
Gerrit Rietveld (1888–1964) was a key figure in the De Stijl movement, known for his radical use of geometry, line, and primary colour. A trained cabinetmaker, he brought a sculptura...
Pine
Pair of 19th Century Klismos Chairs
Located in New York, NY
A pair 19th century Danish Klismos chairs. Collected in Copenhagen elegant pair of late 19th century Danish Klismos Chairs. Ebonized hardwood wi...
Hardwood
$3,950Sale Price / set|38% Off
H 39.5 in W 16.25 in D 19.5 in
Pair of Italian 19th Century Baroque Style Carved Walnut Sgabello Side Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine pair of Italian 19th century Baroque Revival style carved walnut Sgabello figural side-chairs, each backrest with carvings of winged male figures, the base with female figures...
Walnut
Chairs Italian 19th Baroque Style Black Leather Century Italy
Located in New York, NY
Chairs Italian 19th Black Leather Century Italy. A pair of side chairs made during the 19th century in Italy. Upholstered in a thick black leather with brass needle...
Leather, Wood
French Louis-Philippe Desk Chair, Mahogany, Circa 1840-1848
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This Desk Chair is made of mahogany, French Louis-Philippe Period.
Mahogany
$1,361Sale Price|34% Off
H 38.59 in W 15.75 in D 14.97 in
19th Century Petite French Ballroom Side Chair, in Louis XVI Style
Located in Sofia, BG
Petite French ballroom side chair, in Louis XVI style having a giltwood frame with carved floral ornaments. The front legs are curved and the seat is semi round in front having a cus...
Wood
Franck Evennou, Club, Bronze Side Chair, France, 2000
Located in New York, NY
Franck Evenou's "Club" chair is a piece that unites striking symmetry with a focus on the curved line. The chair's four hand-hammered legs bow out from the corners of plump square se...
Bronze
Empire Style Mahogany Library Tub Fauteuil de Bureau or Desk Chair
Located in Nashville, TN
Of generous proportions and presence . The front mounted with well cast bronze mounts (of some size and weight ). The top with French interpretations of the Greek Caryatids (very att...
Wood
$2,270
H 31.11 in W 23.63 in D 22.25 in
French Louis Philippe Walnut and Leather Desk Armchair, c. 1845
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This elegant French Louis Philippe desk armchair dates to approximately 1845, during the later years of the Louis Philippe period. Crafted in solid walnut with beautifully figured wa...
Brass
Circa 1830s-40s French Louis Philippe Stencil Decorated Side Chair
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1830s-40s Louis Philippe stencil decorated side chair, French. Raised on turned stretchered legs. Original decoration with losses from the war. Now with needlework seat. Neocla...
Wood
Late 19th Century Country French Side Chair
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Late 19th century country French side chair. Louis XV style, oak, shaped ladderback form with carving of tendrils, baskets, and acanthus knees for the cabriole legs ending escargot w...
Rush, Oak
Sold
H 35 in W 19.5 in D 21.5 in
Christian VIII Chair in West Indies Mahogany with Upholstery, Denmark circa 1835
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A fine Christian VIII chair in West Indies mahogany with upholstered slip seat. Chair rests on twist-turned legs with saber back legs and features an arched back ending in downward scrolls with applied carvings. Seat is upholstered in an embroidered floral silk...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Sold
H 33.47 in W 17.72 in D 19.69 in
Late 19th Century French Louis Philippe Ebonized Side Chair, circa 1880
Located in Berlin, DE
This elegant late 19th century French ebonized side chair was made circa 1880. It is made out of beech and was re-upholstered with a black fabric. A unique piece which is a great ey...
Beech
Beautiful Pair of French Louis Philippe Style Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful pair of Louis Philippe chairs, it is the original fabric.
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 32.75 in W 16 in D 18 in
Set of Four Louis Philippe Country French Chairs with Woven Cane Seats
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A charming set of four Louis Philippe dining chairs with balloon backs, splayed legs and cane seats, France, circa 1845. Measures: 16" wide x 18" deep x 32 3/4" high.
Cane, Hardwood