Reflecting the final era of royal opulence before the upheaval of the French Revolution, antique Louis XVI furniture features more angular shapes than the Rococo curves of the Louis XV style, harkening back to the imposing grandeur of Louis XIV.
Dating between 1750 and 1800, an era that overlapped with the last king of France whose reign was cut short by the guillotine, Louis XVI furniture, known as the goût grec, is emblematic of the neoclassical revision that French furniture underwent during the second half of the 18th century.
Authentic Louis XVI furniture characteristics include clean lines and carved details such as scrolls and acanthus flourishes that were inspired by ancient Greece and Rome. This was informed by a burgeoning interest in antiquity in the 18th century, owing to new archaeological excavations at sites including Pompeii and Herculaneum. It largely eclipsed the more East Asian–influenced ornamentation of Louis XV for something more geometric and symmetrical.
The Louis XVI style was defined by what was being created for the palatial rooms at Versailles and Fontainebleau, particularly for the queen, with cabinetmaker Jean-Henri Riesener being a favorite of Marie-Antoinette’s for his luxurious pieces accented with gilded bronze and marquetry. Furniture maker Jean-Baptiste-Claude Sené was also a major designer of the period, with his pieces for the royal residences adorned with giltwood and neoclassical touches like tapered columns for chair legs and laurel leaf carvings. Cabinetmaker Adam Weisweiler occasionally incorporated into his furniture porcelain panels produced by Sèvres, a popular manufacturer of European ceramics that served the crown with serveware, vases and other decorative objects.
Find a collection of antique Louis XVI seating, tables, cabinets and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Customizable French Louis XVI Style Sofa/Settee Made By La Maison London
Located in London, Park Royal
This exceptional, Louis XVI style sofa/settee is hand carved in solid lime wood and can be customized to your requirements. This French design features finely carved details, includi...
Wood
$8,167
Louis XVI Style Sofa
Located in London, Park Royal
French Louis XVI style two-seat sofa, hand-carved in solid wood, upholstered with a white Calico and painted in an aged white gesso.
Wood
18th Century Louis XVI Sofa – Carved and Gilded Wood, Original Joinery
Located in Madrid, ES
"18th Century Louis XVI Sofa – Carved and Gilded Wood, Original Joinery" Origin: France Date: 18th Century Dimensions: Width: 170 cm Depth: 80 cm Height: 90 cm Seat Height: 42 cm...
Textile, Wood
$11,392Sale Price|20% Off
Elegant Nord Italian 18th Century Painted Sofa or Canapè
Located in Rome, IT
Elegant Nord Italian finely carved 18th century painted canapé. Measures: cm 210 x 60 x 90 Provenance from an aristocratic Piedmontese estate.
Wood
4 Louis XVI walnut settees from the second half of the 1700s.
Located in Cesena, FC
4 Louis XVI walnut settees; from the second half of the 1700s. Perfect, nice size and proportions and the typical choked foot. Healthy structure, original upholstery Measurements: ...
Canvas, Walnut
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Gilt-Wood Five-Piece Salon Suite
Located in London, GB
A fine 19th century salon suite comprising a canapé / sofa and four fauteuils / open armchairs, each with a rope-twist carved frame, oval padded bac...
Giltwood
French Sofa Louis XVI Style end 19th Century TOTAL RESTORED
Located in Madrid, ES
French Sofa Louis XVI Style end 19th Century Totally restored Length: 171cm seat: 0.63cm height: 121cm
Wood
$2,970
Antiques Giltwood sofas
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hight end decoration sofa in giltwood louis XVI style ,the heart-shaped is remarkable
Giltwood
19th Century Italian Louis XVI Style Lacquered Living Room Set or Salon Suite
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Rare complete Italian luxury Louis XVI style living room set includes: 1 large sofa 2 armchairs 4 chairs Refined living room set in lacquared wood. The living room comes from an ...
Wood
Italian Louis XVI style wood and blue stripes fabric sofa, 1930s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Louis XVI style wood and blue stripes fabric sofa, 1930s Sofa with a finely crafted wooden frame featuring decorative carvings on the backrest, armrests, and front panel. The...
Fabric, Wood
Late 20th-C. French Louis XVI Style Sofa By EJ Victor In Stripe Damask
By E.J. Victor
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a late 20th century French Louis XVI style sofa by E.J. Victor. The piece is done in a stripe damask. It is shown with and without the loose cushions. It is marked. The carve...
Upholstery, Fruitwood, Giltwood
Antique French Louis XVI Style Cream Distress Painted Petite Canape Settee Sofa
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Antique French Louis XVI Maison Jansen Style Cream Distress Painted Petite Canape Sma...
Fabric, Wood
Elegant Italian Neoclassical Louis XVI Sofa
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Elegant and classic 18th century authentic Italian Neoclassical sofa that's part of a salon set with two armchairs or fauteuils, selling sepa...
Upholstery, Wood
$8,760Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Louis XVI Style Sofa in Black Lacquer
Located in North York, ON
Vintage Louis XVI Sofa in Black Lacquer. Featuring a beautiful, curved frame with carved details from head to toe in a rich black lacquered fini...
Fabric, Wood
French Mid-19th Century Louis XVI Canape
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This is a sofa Corbeille which means Basket because it wrapped you inside the sofa. Beautiful Louis XVI line with little pineapples on the frame. The fabric is in good condition. Won...
Walnut
19th Century Italian Louis XVI Style Sofa
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century Italian Louis XVI Style Sofa. This unusual antique Italian Louis XVI style sofa , loveseat or canape has gorgeous exaggerated arms and is painted a gorgeous soft blue co...
Wood
French 19th Century Walnut Louis XVI Hand Carved Sofa
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A French Louis XVI period Provençal carved sofa from the late 19th century, with new upholstery, lovely fluted legs and exquisite carving. Born in Provence during the reign of King L...
Upholstery, Walnut
Louis XVI Style Sofa, Belgium
Located in Brussels, BE
Louis XVI style sofa, Belgium.
Fabric
$15,062 / item
21st Century Pegaso 2-Seater Sofa in Fabric
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
Soft lines and timeless design for the Pegaso line. The seats are characterized by a lateral opening which gives the furniture a special lightness. The fringes add a decorative note that enhances the sophisticated atmosphere that is typical of Jumbo Collection environments. Pegaso 2-seater sofa with structure in beechwood. Padding in foam. Upholstery in fabric MIL.21.09, MIL.21.23 with decorative fringe. N° 2 pillows 50 x 30...
Beech, Fabric
French Sofas mahogany and ormolu bronze signed by LINKE
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very rare sofas in mohagany ,ormolu bronze by F.LINKE louis xvi style . The quality of the bronze is simply top quality . the sofas need to be upholstered
Bronze