Louis XVI Sofas
LOUIS XVI STYLE
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.
62
13
to
15
36
32
75
68
70
4,577
4,549
1,115
336
130
75
75
65
64
56
40
38
34
27
20
16
9
4
13
25
24
13
8
7
2
4
2
2
2
1
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
65
8
5
6
7
5
5
5
4
5
4
5
71
41
17
16
8
65
45
8
7
7
6
2
1
1
1
Style: Louis XVI
20th Century Lacquered Wood and Vienna Straw Louis XVI Style Italian Sofa, 1950
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Sofa in Louis XVI style from the mid 20th century. Furniture in carved, lacquered and painted wood with Vienna straw seat in excellent condition. Three-seater sofa equipped with armr...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Louis XVI Sofas
Materials
Wood
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.
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Louis XVI Sofas
Materials
Wood
French Louis XVI Period Sofa
Located in Pembroke, MA
An elegant neoclassical Louis XVI period sofa or canapé, with down-stuffed separate seat cushion, two small tasseled pillows, painted frame, and tapered f...
Category
18th Century French Antique Louis XVI Sofas
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Down
Louis XVI Style Sofa Attributed to Jansen
Located in New York, NY
Louis XVI persimmon chenille upholstered sofa. Down filled cushions and bolsters throughout.
Measures: Seat height 17"
Arm height 24"
Finial height 32".
Category
20th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Late 19th Century Louis XVI Style Giltwood Sofa
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality late 19th century carved giltwood Louis XVI style three-seat sofa, having scrolling motif and foliate decoration, tapestry upholstery and raised on elegant cabriole le...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Sofas
Materials
Giltwood
French Louis XVI Style Painted Settee or Sofa with Carving Detail, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
French Louis XVI style painted settee or sofa with carving detail and ending in hoof feet, early 19th century.
Category
19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Sofas
Materials
Wood
Giltwood Sofa Hand Carved in the Louis XV Style
Located in London, Park Royal
An elegant and impressive large Louis XV style confidante sofa which has been hand carved and gilded using traditional methods and materials to achieve...
Category
2010s British Louis XVI Sofas
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
Pair of French Hand Carved & Painted Silk Sofas. Signed Carpentier. Circa 1780
By Louis-Charles Carpentier
Located in Hollywood, SC
Pair of French carved wood and painted sofas with floral silk upholstery, carved floral skirt, and terminating on cabriole legs. Signed by Carpentier. Makers Stamp is located on s...
Category
1780s French Antique Louis XVI Sofas
Materials
Paint, Silk, Upholstery, Wood
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 ...
Category
1880s Italian Antique Louis XVI Sofas
Materials
Wood
French Louis XVI Style Carved Wood Sofa with a Gray Green Painted Finish
Located in Dallas, TX
A French Louis XVI style nicely carved canape, sofa with gadrooning, acanthus leaves and acorn finials on fluted legs. This early 20th century sofa is deep and sits higher than most ...
Category
20th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Materials
Wood
19th Century Important Canadian Sofa
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This gorgeous sofa was made in Quebec, circa 1860 and done in the French Louis XVl style. The wood frame is handcrafted from tiger maple and it features iconic Canadian motifs such as the beaver...
Category
19th Century Canadian Antique Louis XVI Sofas
Louis XVI Sofa Bench Made of Fruit Wood, Reupholstered
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant Louis XVI bench made of fruit wood. Altona 1780-1790 (then part of Denmark, today Germany - a suburb of Hamburg).
Reupholstered in 'Sahco Hesslein' fabric.
Category
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Louis XVI Sofas
18th Century Louis XVI Piedmontese Canape
Located in New Orleans, LA
Impressive in size and form, the walnut canape has an ochre glaze. Newly upholstered in white linen. Lovely carved detail on sides and back. The upholstered back and sides are easily...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Louis XVI Sofas
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Louis XVI Style Sofa Modeled after Marie Antoinette Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Louis XVI style sofa modeled after a set that Marie Antoinette had made for her grand cabinet in the Tuileries Palace.
Reproduced in France, circa 1930, most likely by Jansen.
Category
1930s French Vintage Louis XVI Sofas
Materials
Wood, Upholstery, Velvet
18th Century, French Laquered Giltwood Louis XVI Sofa by Pierre Nicolas Pillot
Located in IT
18th Century, French Laquered and Giltwood Louis XVI Sofa by Pierre Nicolas Pillot
Stamped "PILLOT". Manufacture of PILLOT Pierre Nicolas (1748 - 1822)
This important Louis XVI sofa was made by Pierre Nicolas Pillot (1748 - 1822) in the second half of the 18th century in France.
The oval shaped seat has a carved wooden band with geometric decoration, gilded and lacquered in shades of blue. The ten legs, shaped like an inverted cone trunk, tapered and grooved, are also lacquered and gilded and originate from a quadrangular golden element with flower in the center. Very nice the back of the sofa, asymmetrical and sinuous line and move. The two external front legs give rise to the curvilinear armrests that end in a curl. From this element unfolds the backrest that completely wraps the seat.
The sofa is stamped "Pillot", signed by Pierre Nicolas Pillot, "Maître" in Nîmes.
He died in Nîmes on 13 September 1822. Fourth son of Marianne Veron and Jacques Pillot, "maître d'école". At thirteen, Pierre Pillot was apprenticed to Mathieu Bauve for a period of six years. He works with this Parisian master probably for nine years as a companion. In 1776 he moved to Nîmes, and after his marriage to Marianne Saulet in 1779, he became a Master in 1780. His workshop was located in the Prat district on College Island. His stamped production specializes in seats, between chairs, armchairs and sofas. His ornamental repertoire is predominantly neoclassical. Many of his furniture is kept in French museums, including the Musée du Vieux Nîmes and the Musée Fabre à Montpellier.
Overall, the sofa has a line that resembles a dormeuse, but with a hospitable and comfortable support for the seat of two people. This particularity makes it unusual and rare. Completely lined with ivory fabric and floral decorations, it is in good condition.
The Veilleuse are sofas for rest or "day beds" characterized by armrests of different heights and asymmetric backrest, in their function similar to the dormeuse or chaise-longue. They can therefore be used as a seat or even as a reading sofa...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Louis XVI Sofas
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
Late 19th Century, Louis XVI Style Bench Sofa Green Blue White Velour French
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Lovely Louis XVI style bench in rechampi and golden wood. Fluted legs, a beautiful blue tapestry with floral decors. A small lever placed on the side of ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Sofas
Materials
Textile, Wood
Antique French Louis XVI Style Distress-Painted Ovoid Carved Canapé Sofa
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Remarkable antique French canape in the Louis XVI taste circa 1920. This stunning item features a intricately hand carved frame, carved reeded legs, ovoid shape, and desirable authen...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Materials
Wood
Louis Xvi sofas for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Louis XVI sofas for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage sofas created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Louis XVI sofas made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original sofas, popular names associated with this style include La Maison London, Jumbo Collection, E.J. Victor, and Europa Antiques. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for sofas differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,468 and tops out at $75,000 while the average work can sell for $6,150.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Mid Century Modern Chair Set
Milo Baughman Swivel Lounge Chairs
Designer Chairs Mid Century French
Danish Lounge Chair With Ottoman
Mid Century Leather Armchair Ottoman
High Back Antique Dining Chairs
Milo Baughman Scoop Lounge Chair
Cane Back French Dining Chairs
Mid Century Office Chair Europe
Percival Lafer Mid Century Chairs
Os De Mouton Dining Chairs
Mid Century Modern Swivel Chair
Mid Century Cane Sofa
Italian 60 Sofa
Vintage Wooden Sofa Set
Colorful Couch
Cube Couch
Cube Sofas