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.
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
French Louis XVI Period Style Sofa with Scroll Arms Made by La Maison london
Located in London, Park Royal
A Louis XVI Style sofa featuring scroll arms and fine hand-carved detailing, finished in a two tone, hand-painted, ecru white with gilt work highlighting. The sofa's seating, bolster...
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...
Daybed Louis XVI Style in White Bronze on Teak Wood, Louis XVI Daybed by Paul
By Stephanie Odegard Collection, Paul Mathieu (French)
Located in New York, NY
Daybed in Louis XVI style reflects the final era of royal opulence before the upheaval of the French Revolution, antique Daybed Louis XVI features more angular shapes than the Rococo...
Metal
$3,950
20th Century French Sofa
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant 20th-century French sofa exemplifies the Louis XVI style, combining neoclassical design elements with timeless sophistication. The solid beech wood frame is hand-carved ...
Upholstery, Beech
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
20th Century French Sofa / Canape in antique Louis Seize Style beech hand carved
Located in Berlin, DE
Solid beechwood, carved, colored and gilded. Semicircular ascending backrest frame with perforated rocaille crowning. Passive curved frame with richly r...
Beech
Fine Antique Napoleon III circa 1870 Gold Giltwood Bergere Louis XVI Sofa Settee
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this stunning original circa 1860-1870 Napoleon III Louis XVI style bergère settee which is part of a suite This sofa comes with a matching pair of parlour armchairs...
Giltwood
Large Louis XVI style gilt wood sofa, circa 1900
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A large good quality French carved gilt wood sofa, having scrolling foliate and fluted decoration to the show wood frame, raised on turned tapering legs, circa 1900. Batch 73 57758...
Giltwood
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
French Cream painted Louis XVI style sofa, circa 1900
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality early 20th Century French cream painted three seater sofa, having carved scrolling foliate and fluted decoration, raised on turned taper legs. Batch 73 BYZKN
Beech
$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
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 1780s Louis XVI Period Walnut Canapé en Corbeille
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XVI period carved walnut canapé en corbeille from the late 18th century, with carved roses and upholstery. Created in France during the last quarter of the 18th centur...
Upholstery, Walnut
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
18th Century Italian Louis XVI Painted and Parcel Gilt Loveseat
Located in Houston, TX
18th century Italian Louis XVI painted and parcel gilt loveseat. 18th century Italian Louis XVI painted and parcel gilt loveseat, sofa, settee or divanetto. This stunning Italian lo...
Wood
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Sofa
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 19th-century French Louis XVI-style sofa epitomizes elegance and timeless craftsmanship. The carved wood frame, painted in a soft, muted tone, features classic Louis XVI design ...
Upholstery, Beech
$10,976Sale 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
1950s, Danish 3-seater sofa, furniture velour, ash wood, furniture mesh.
Located in Tarm, 82
1950s, Danish 3-seater sofa. Original cherry-red furniture velour, ash wood, furniture mesh. Double sided seat cushions with springs inside. Original very good condition: no smells, ...
Velvet, Rattan, Ash
$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
LADY'S DESK WITH CYLINDRICAL TOP 20th Century French Louis XVI style
Located in Madrid, ES
LADY'S DESK WITH CYLINDRICAL TOP 20th-century French, Louis XVI style, mahogany wood. Lifted with three drawers, roller top, interior with drawers and compartments, and a sliding to...
Mahogany