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Louis XIV Seating

LOUIS XIV STYLE

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.

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Style: Louis XIV
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
French Régence Period Chaise Lounge
Located in Dallas, TX
French Régence period chaise lounge, carved and painted legs (6) connected by a series of curved stretchers Louis XIV-style, generously sized back with upholstered wings and arms, Fr...
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18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Seating

Materials

Wood

18th Century Pair of antique Louis Quinze XIV Armchairs Paris beech
Located in Berlin, DE
Solid wood poliment gold-plated. Passive, straight profile frame with carving on curved legs below with cross bracing.Historical condition with a wonderfully warm patina that has gro...
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18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Seating

Materials

Beech

Liège bench carved 18th century Louis XIV
Located in Somme-Leuze, BE
very beautiful little Liège Louis XIV bench dating from the 18th century with patina very beautiful work of cabinetmaking beautiful sculpture beautiful patina
Category

18th Century Belgian Antique Louis XIV Seating

Materials

Oak, Paint

Pair of Italian Louis XIV Period Dark Walnut & Upholstered Poltrone, ca. 1700
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having slightly leaning rectangular backrests, one curiously with two very small iron rings on its back, with shaped arms and downturned handles with turned arm supports, the tight u...
Category

Early 18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Seating

Materials

Walnut

Rare 17th Century Solid Walnut Single Chair
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful 17th century of the period Louis XIV Italian antique chair in solid walnut wood. The legs are finely turned. Seat and backrest are padd...
Category

1650s Italian Antique Louis XIV Seating

Materials

Walnut

18th Century French Fauteuil Chair
Located in Calgary, Alberta
Late 18th century Louis VXI period French fauteuil chair. It has an oval cameo back with a cartouche to the top, with downnswept arms and fluted legs. It still has visible remnants o...
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Late 18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Seating

Materials

Beech

French 17th Century Louis XIV St. Walnut Bench
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A wonderful and finely detailed French 17th century Louis XIV st. Walnut bench. This handsome Walnut bench is supported by five circular turned and mottled designed front legs and fi...
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17th Century French Antique Louis XIV Seating

Materials

Walnut

Large Louis XIV Upholstered Oak Bench
Located in Houston, TX
Large Louis XIV upholstered oak bench dating to mid-18th century. Can serve as a bench, ottoman or coffee table. Currently covered in off-white ticking and ready to be recovered in y...
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Mid-18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Seating

Materials

Cotton, Upholstery, Oak

Rare 17th Century Solid Walnut Rustic Single Chair
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful 17th century of the period Louis XIV Italian antique rustic chair in solid walnut wood. The chair is very simple and essential. The legs...
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1650s Italian Antique Louis XIV Seating

Materials

Walnut

Pair of Louis XIV Period 17th Century Armchairs
Located in Middleburg, VA
Pair of French Louis XIV Period 17th Century Armchairs. Made of Richly Patinated Circassian Walnut with a deep lustrous color. Arched Backs over elegant carved sweeping arms. Be...
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Late 17th Century French Antique Louis XIV Seating

Materials

Linen, Walnut

Set of 8 French 17th Century Dining Room Chairs
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This set of 8 chairs are in amazing good condition for its age. Large size and very strong and thick leather.
Category

Late 17th Century French Antique Louis XIV Seating

Materials

Leather, Oak

Louis XIV Oak Stool
Located in Essex, MA
D shaped seat with turned legs and conforming D shape stretcher.
Category

1690s French Antique Louis XIV Seating

Materials

Oak

Extraordinary Pair of French Louis XIV Period 17th Century Armchairs.
Located in Middleburg, VA
Extraordinary Pair of French Louis XIV Period 17th Century Armchairs. Made of Richly Patinated Circassian Walnut with a deep lustrous color. Arched Backs over elegant carved swe...
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17th Century French Antique Louis XIV Seating

Materials

Walnut

Italian Early 18th Century Louis XIV Period Giltwood Bench
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant Italian early 18th century Louis XIV period giltwood bench. The long bench is raised on six legs with topie shape feet below a circular fluted tapered column, foliate deco...
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18th Century Italian Antique Louis XIV Seating

Materials

Giltwood

French Louis XIV late 17th Century Beechwood Armchair
Located in Troy, NY
French Louis XIV late 17th century Beechwood Armchair of very comfortable Size and proportions, excellent color and solid pegged construction. The wavy arms supported by beautifully ...
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Late 17th Century French Antique Louis XIV Seating

Materials

Beech

Italian 18th Century Louis XIV St. Walnut Bench
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A wonderful Italian 18th century Louis XIV st. Walnut bench. The bench is raised by four block feet below the legs have an elegant turned and mottled design. The four legs are joined...
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18th Century Italian Antique Louis XIV Seating

Materials

Walnut

French Louis XIV Style 1790s Carved Walnut Fauteuil with Scrolling Arms and Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XIV style carved walnut fauteuil from the late 18th century with large scrolling open arms, Flemish scroll legs, curving X-form stretcher and old upholstery. Created i...
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18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Seating

Materials

Walnut, Upholstery

Long Upholstered Os de Mouton Bench, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
This gorgeous cushioned bench from the late 18th century is crafted in the Louis XIV style with an upholstered top and beautifully carved legs and stre...
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Late 18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Seating

Materials

Wool, Walnut

Early 18th Century French Louis XIV/Régence Carved Oak Stool or Tabouret
Located in Berlin, DE
Early 18th Century Louis XIV/Régence Carved Oak stool or Tabouret Square and upholstered seat resting on a shaped apron with c-scrolls, leafs and central shell motifs. The four legs are carved as square balusters decorated with flower garland carving and joined by a x-shaped stretcher with curvy braces and a central square with a paterae motif. Carved oak. Upholstered with modern gobelin fabric...
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Early 18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Seating

Materials

Oak

Rare Reclining Chair Louis XIV
Located in New York, NY
This elegant Reclining Chair Louis XIV is a stunning example of 17th Century French country furniture design and a very rare find. The chair's metal m...
Category

18th Century Antique Louis XIV Seating

Materials

Leather, Wood

Italian Late Baroque Walnut & Upholstered Reclining Ratchet Armchair, ca. 1715
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having an arched backrest with flared wings, the long descending arms with carved handles and raised on turned supports, the handles issuing iron rods with shell shaped finials used ...
Category

1710s Italian Antique Louis XIV Seating

Materials

Walnut

Pair of 18th Century French Os Du Mouton Walnut Armchairs
Located in Milford, NH
A fine pair of 18th century French walnut armchairs with chapeau de gendarme form backs, H-shaped os du mouton carved stretchers, and recent tan leather u...
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18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Seating

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Set of Six Italian 18th Century Louis XIV Period Walnut Dining Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and complete set of six Italian 18th century Louis XIV period walnut dining chairs. Each chair is raised by elegant ball feet below block reserves and lovely turned legs e...
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18th Century Italian Antique Louis XIV Seating

Materials

Walnut

18th Century Italian Louis XIV Walnut Chair
Located in Houston, TX
18th century Italian Louis XIV walnut chair. Handsome 18th century northern Italian Louis XIV walnut chair. Our beautiful antique Italian walnut armchair was taken down to the frame...
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18th Century Italian Antique Louis XIV Seating

Materials

Walnut

French Tapestry Reclining Armchair, a Veritable Medieval La-Z-boy
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A rare late 17th century French reclining armchair with a carved walnut stretcher, upholstered in its original verdure tapestry of the period. This is ...
Category

Late 17th Century French Antique Louis XIV Seating

Materials

Tapestry, Walnut

Pair of Italian Early 18th Century Painted Armchairs
Located in Rome, IT
A pair of Italian 18th century parcel-gilt and pale green painted armchairs with a shaped back, scrolling armrests on a baluster legs. Covered with white silk upholstery.
Category

Early 18th Century Italian Antique Louis XIV Seating

Materials

Wood

Regence Walnut and Caned Fauteuil/ Armchair
Located in Essex, MA
Arched back carved with central shell, beautifully carved overall with cabriole legs and shaped X-form stretcher.
Category

1730s French Antique Louis XIV Seating

Materials

Other

18th Century Vintage Louis XIV Style Dining Chairs with Leather & Toile
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Set of 6 Louis XIV style dining chairs with square seat backs upholstered in Scalamandre toile and seats upholstered in weathered leather, trimmed with nail heads to accentuate their...
Category

18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Seating

Materials

Walnut, Leather

Small French Provincial Circassian Walnut Footstool with Modern Upholstery
Located in Middleburg, VA
Small French Provincial Circassian walnut footstool with modern upholstery Rest your wary feet like royalty with this rare Louis XIV period small Fr...
Category

Late 17th Century French Antique Louis XIV Seating

Materials

Walnut

Pair of French 17th Century Louis XIV Walnut Armchairs
Located in Troy, NY
Of generous proportions, beautiful turned front legs and stretchers, scrolling arms, Antique faded and worn Needlepoint, not of the period, the legs have additions of 2" at the botto...
Category

Late 17th Century French Antique Louis XIV Seating

Materials

Walnut

French 17th Century Walnut and Leather Covered Reclining or Ratchet Chair
Located in Troy, NY
Reclining or "Ratchet" Chair of Louis XIV period and very comfortable proportions, the turned front legs and stretcher, connected to the square back legs by flat H-stretchers, seat, back, armrests and seat-cushion covered in beige leather, the seat with hinges connecting the back and with wrought iron...
Category

Late 17th Century French Antique Louis XIV Seating

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Original French Louis XIV walnut throne wing armchair, 18th century
Located in London, GB
Rich patina and warm walnut tones, with wingback headrest and beautifully scrolled arms, the lower frame comprises an H-form cross stretcher with intricate turned legs. Newly upholst...
Category

Late 17th Century French Antique Louis XIV Seating

Materials

Walnut

Pair of Louis XIV Carved and Gilded Chairs
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautifully carved and gilded armchairs.
Category

18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Seating

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...
Category

Early 18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Italian Late Baroque Period Walnut & Upholstered Wing Chair, Early 18th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a fully upholstered upper section with a comfortable seat raised on turned ebonized walnut legs and stretchers, the legs terminating in shaped ball feet.
Category

Early 18th Century Italian Antique Louis XIV Seating

Materials

Walnut

French Louis XIV Period Shaped Oak & Iron Adjustable Reclining Armchair, 18th C.
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a slightly concave shaped backrest with hinged supports and wrought iron hooks adjusting into iron brackets with multiple settings, the arms ...
Category

Early 18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Seating

Materials

Wrought Iron

Louis Xiv seating for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Louis XIV seating 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 seating created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Louis XIV seating 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 seating, popular names associated with this style include Jean-Charles Moreux, La Maison London, Fratelli Boffi, and John Widdicomb. 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 seating differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $396 and tops out at $75,000 while the average work can sell for $3,850.

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