Skip to main content

Louis XIV Swivel Chairs

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.

1
to
1
1
1
1
918
267
85
42
31
16
16
14
10
8
8
5
4
3
2
1
1
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
1
1
1
1
1
1
Style: Louis XIV
Mid-Century French Hand Carved Chestnut Piano Grotto Stool with Shell Motif
Located in Dallas, TX
This carved antique fruitwood grotto stool was created in France, circa 1950. Perfect as a piano stool or simply a statement piece, the bench, built of chestnut wood, stands on cabri...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Louis XIV Swivel Chairs

Materials

Chestnut

Mid-Century French Hand Carved Chestnut Piano Grotto Stool with Shell Motif

Mid-Century French Hand Carved Chestnut Piano Grotto Stool with Shell Motif

Related Items
Set of 4 Hill Manufacturers Lucite & Chrome Swivel Bar Stools Mid-Century Modern
By Hill Manufacturing
Located in Miami, FL
Exceptional Mid-Century Modern fantastic and rare set of four Lucite 3 legged swivel bar stools with Chrome Round Footrest by Hill Manufacturers made in...
Category

1970s American Vintage Louis XIV Swivel Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Set of 4 Hill Manufacturers Lucite & Chrome Swivel Bar Stools Mid-Century Modern
Set of 4 Hill Manufacturers Lucite & Chrome Swivel Bar Stools Mid-Century Modern

Set of 4 Hill Manufacturers Lucite & Chrome Swivel Bar Stools Mid-Century Modern

H 44 in W 17 in D 20.5 in
Pair Mid Century Swivel Wicker Bar Height Stools
Located in Troy, MI
Found in the US, this pair of woven wicker bar height swivel stools date from the early 1960s. Four slender black metal legged base with a round foot rest...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Louis XIV Swivel Chairs

Materials

Metal

Pair Mid Century Swivel Wicker Bar Height Stools
Pair Mid Century Swivel Wicker Bar Height Stools

Pair Mid Century Swivel Wicker Bar Height Stools

H 44 in W 20.5 in D 19 in
1960s Mid-Century Modern Restored Swivel Leather Bar Stools
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing our expertly restored pair of 1960s Mid-Century Modern Swivel Leather Bar Stools. Celebrate timeless elegance with these high stoo...
Category

1960s American Vintage Louis XIV Swivel Chairs

Materials

Wrought Iron

1960s Mid-Century Modern Restored Swivel Leather Bar Stools
1960s Mid-Century Modern Restored Swivel Leather Bar Stools

1960s Mid-Century Modern Restored Swivel Leather Bar Stools

Free Shipping
H 39 in W 15 in D 16 in
Piano Stool Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
Original state with a pleasant patine of age, perfectly cleaned and re-polished with shellac polish. Minor repairs made.
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Louis XIV Swivel Chairs

Materials

Bentwood

Piano Stool Thonet
Piano Stool Thonet

Piano Stool Thonet

H 18.51 in Dm 14.97 in
Italian Antique Wooden Grotto Stool w/Carved-Shell Seat
Located in Atlanta, GA
A beautiful Italian Venetian carved-wood grotto chair, with adjustable height, from the turn of the 19th and 20th century. This antique bench from Italy features a fruitwood carved-c...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Louis XIV Swivel Chairs

Materials

Wood

Italian Antique Wooden Grotto Stool w/Carved-Shell Seat
Italian Antique Wooden Grotto Stool w/Carved-Shell Seat

Italian Antique Wooden Grotto Stool w/Carved-Shell Seat

H 22.5 in W 17 in D 19 in
Carved Wood Grotto Style Shell Stool
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Grotto style carved wood shell stool.
Category

20th Century Louis XIV Swivel Chairs

Materials

Wood

Carved Wood Grotto Style Shell Stool
Carved Wood Grotto Style Shell Stool

Carved Wood Grotto Style Shell Stool

H 25 in W 18 in D 21 in
19th Century French Hand Carved and Painted Round Adjustable Piano Stool
Located in Sofia, BG
Antique French piano stool hand carved and hand painted in light green and orange. Very stable piece with its original upholstery that may be adjus...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Louis XIV Swivel Chairs

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Hand Carved and Painted Round Adjustable Piano Stool
19th Century French Hand Carved and Painted Round Adjustable Piano Stool

19th Century French Hand Carved and Painted Round Adjustable Piano Stool

H 18.51 in Dm 15.75 in
Set of 4 Mid-Century Arthur Umanoff Slat Style Bar Stools
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Wilmington, DE
Set of 4 mid-century Arthur Umanoff slat style bar stools Offered is a great set of 4 mid-century Arthur Umanoff slat style bar stools. They have the simple lines and design seen ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Louis XIV Swivel Chairs

Materials

Metal

Set of 4 Mid-Century Arthur Umanoff Slat Style Bar Stools
Set of 4 Mid-Century Arthur Umanoff Slat Style Bar Stools

Set of 4 Mid-Century Arthur Umanoff Slat Style Bar Stools

H 39 in W 17 in D 17.5 in
Mid Century Modern Knoll Rockwell Unscripted Swivel Bar Stool
By Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid-Century Modern Knoll rockwell unscripted swivel bar stool The rockwell unscripted upholstered seat offers fun punctuation to dining, living or office spaces. Mix them with Classic Knoll dining chairs to create an Eclectic Statement at Your Table or Sprinkle Them Around for impromptu Guest Seating. Make Funky colorful side...
Category

2010s American Louis XIV Swivel Chairs

Materials

Fabric

Mid Century Modern Knoll Rockwell Unscripted Swivel Bar Stool
Mid Century Modern Knoll Rockwell Unscripted Swivel Bar Stool

Mid Century Modern Knoll Rockwell Unscripted Swivel Bar Stool

H 30 in W 15 in D 15 in
Solid Piano Stool, Early 20th Century, Restaured
Located in Schwerin, MV
Very solid piano stool/swivel stool with seat made of hand-woven Viennese cane. The piano stool is made of beech wood and has three curved feet that are connected to the central colu...
Category

1890s German Antique Louis XIV Swivel Chairs

Materials

Wood, Braid

Solid Piano Stool, Early 20th Century, Restaured
Solid Piano Stool, Early 20th Century, Restaured

Solid Piano Stool, Early 20th Century, Restaured

H 19.69 in Dm 19.69 in
Neoclassical Carved Walnut Grotto Shell Stool Swivels
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Highly carved walnut swiveling stool with a shell motif and a tripod base. Cabriolet legs with paw feet.
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Louis XIV Swivel Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Neoclassical Carved Walnut Grotto Shell Stool Swivels
Neoclassical Carved Walnut Grotto Shell Stool Swivels

Neoclassical Carved Walnut Grotto Shell Stool Swivels

H 24 in W 17.5 in D 17.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Knoll Rockwell Unscripted Swivel Bar and Low Stool, Set of 2
By Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid-Century Modern Knoll Rockwell unscripted swivel bar and low stool - set of 2 The Rockwell unscripted upholstered seat offers fun punctuation to dining, living or office spaces. Mix them with Classic Knoll dining chairs to create an Eclectic statement at your table or sprinkle them around for impromptu guest seating. Make funky colorful side...
Category

2010s American Louis XIV Swivel Chairs

Materials

Fabric

Mid-Century Modern Knoll Rockwell Unscripted Swivel Bar and Low Stool, Set of 2
Mid-Century Modern Knoll Rockwell Unscripted Swivel Bar and Low Stool, Set of 2

Mid-Century Modern Knoll Rockwell Unscripted Swivel Bar and Low Stool, Set of 2

H 30 in W 15 in D 15 in

Louis Xiv swivel chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Louis XIV swivel chairs for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage swivel chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with chestnut, hardwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Louis XIV swivel chairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 swivel chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,600 and tops out at $1,600 while the average work can sell for $1,600.

Recently Viewed

View All