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.
$2,835Sale Price|30% Off
Fully Restored Hand Carved French Louis XIV Walnut Wingback Armchair, 1800s
Located in Lucenec, SK
French Louis XIV walnut wingback armchair is a study in stately elegance, with extraordinary comfort. Gracefully contoured wingbacks with double-scrolled frameworks cradle one in lux...
Upholstery, Walnut
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 ...
Walnut
$6,817Sale Price|30% Off
H 53.94 in W 30.12 in D 32.29 in
Antique 1840 Museum Quality Claw & Ball Carved Feet Wingback Very Large Armchair
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely sublime, museum quality extra large Wingback armchair with ornately carved Claw & Ball legs What a chair, you will never see ano...
Upholstery, Hardwood
$3,652Sale Price|30% Off
H 42.13 in W 30.71 in D 30.71 in
Fully Restored Vintage Chesterfield Porters Wingback Armchair Brown Leather
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning vintage Porters barrel back armchair in whisky brown leather This chair a real tour de force, is has absolutely everything going ...
Leather
$2,720Sale Price|20% Off
H 42.5 in W 32 in D 30.5 in
George III Wingback Armchair, Upholstered Wood, English, Circa 1800
Located in San Francisco, CA
An excellent example of a early Georgian wingback armchair. Having shapely wings and arch top backrest with swooping arms, standing on a pair of Queen Anne legs with pad feet on the front and very typical round...
Upholstery, Wood
$2,713
H 39.38 in W 29.53 in D 27.17 in
ViNTAGE FULLY RESTORED BROWN LEATHER TUFTED CHESTERFIELD WINGBACK ARMCHAIR
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning fully restored vintage Chesterfield tufted Whiskey Brown leather wingback armchair Please not...
Leather, Hardwood
$2,921Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 38.39 in W 26.97 in D 22.05 in
Antique Pair of circa 1880 William Morris Carved Legged Wingback Armchairs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this pair of original circa 1860-1880 English William Morris style wingback armchairs with grey linen summer cushions A good looking and well-m...
Upholstery, Walnut
$4,521
H 44.49 in W 33.47 in D 31.5 in
RESTORED CHESTERFIELD HAND DYED LEATHER PORTERS WINGBACK ARMCHAiR
Located in Pulborough, GB
Antiques of London Elevate your interior with this luxurious restored Chesterfield Porter’s Wingback Armchair, expertly upholstered in premium hand-dyed leather. A testament to timeless British craftsmanship, this armchair seamlessly combines elegance, comfort, and durability, making it the perfect centrepiece for both classic and contemporary interiors. This vintage Chesterfield wingback chair features the iconic deep-button tufted back and seat, showcasing traditional hand-dying techniques that highlight the natural beauty of the leather. The hand-dyed finish has been carefully restored while keeping the original aged leather, preserving its rich patina, natural creases, and authentic character that only time can create. This ensures the chair retains its historic charm while offering renewed life and usability. The Porter’s high back design with enveloping wings provides excellent support and comfort, while the scroll arms and antique brass nailhead trim add to its authentic Chesterfield style. Resting on sturdy hardwood legs, this armchair offers both strength and stability, ensuring it will remain a cherished piece for generations. Ideal for use in a study, library, office, gentleman’s club, or luxury living room, this Chesterfield Porter’s chair...
Leather
$4,174Sale Price|40% Off
H 43.71 in W 34.65 in D 30.52 in
Wood & Hogan New York Blenheim Wingback Walnut Armchair William Morris
By William Morrison, Wood and Hogan
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning Wood & Hogan of Madison Avenue New York Blenheim model William Morris wingback armchair RRP £9000 This chair is pure quality, it can be found for sale with Wood & Hogan right now, the walnut frame alone is $9660 USD approximately £7700 GBP The chair model is based on the early William Morris designs as is the upholstery fabric which I’m 99% sure is Morris & Co, its similar to Forest Linen...
Upholstery, Walnut
$1,544Sale Price|40% Off
H 42.13 in W 30.71 in D 32.49 in
Fully Restored and Reupholstered Victorian Claw and Ball Feet Wingback Armchair
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely fully restored Victorian wingback armchair with ornately carved frame and claw and ball feet A ver...
Upholstery
Opinion Ciatti Guelfo Wingback Armchair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A cozy and comfortable bucket seat, a reassuring form with absolutely contemporary details; these are the main features of Guelfo the wingback chair designed by Lapo Ciatti. Guelfo w...
Nickel
$6,622Sale Price|20% Off
H 42.13 in W 31.5 in D 37.01 in
PAIR OF FULLY RESTORED WILLIAM MORRIS ARM CHESTERFIELD TUFTED WINGBACK ARMCHAIRs
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of vintage circa 1960's, Chesterfield Cigar brown leather, fully restored wingback armchair...
Leather
$4,174Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 43.71 in W 32.49 in D 35.83 in
Pair of Restored Brown Leather circa 1860 Wingback Armchairs Claw and Ball Feet
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Wimbledon-Furniture is delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of exceptionally heavy Victorian wingback armchairs restored with Heritage brown leather upholstery These are...
Leather, Hardwood
$7,096Sale Price|40% Off
H 45.87 in W 31.7 in D 32.88 in
Very Rare Fully Restored Howard & Son's Walnut Wingback Armchair Regency Stripe
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Wimbledon-Furniture Wimbledon-Furniture is delighted to offer for sale this stunning exceptionally rare original Victorian Howard & Son’s Berners street fully restored wingback...
Upholstery, Walnut
Sold
H 48 in W 30.75 in D 35 in
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.
Walnut
Sold
H 41 in W 35 in D 34 in
Pair Antique French Louis XIV Gilt Wood Upholstered Wing Back Chairs, Circa 1910
Located in Big Flats, NY
A pair of antique French Louis XIV style wing back bergere armchairs offer pierced and foliate carved gilt crest over upholstered wing back fireside chairs having scroll form arms an...
Giltwood, Upholstery
Large Frame Wing Back Chair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beechwood frame in an exaggerated wide shape with scrolled arms. Raised on short cabriole legs with carved knees in front and squared splayed feet at back. In a floral tapestry style...
Ralph Lauren Spencer Leather Wing Chair
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Danville, CA
Wonderful Ralph Lauren Spencer wing chair upholstered in natural saddle leather. The frame is in perfect condition and the leather is beautifully worn. This versatile chair would work well as a desk chair or living room occasional chair.
Tapestry Chairs Os De Mouton Bergeres or Armchairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Fine pair of Os De Mouton wingback armchairs upholstered in remnants of handmade wool 18th century tapestries. Having stately yet graceful form o...
Wool
Antique French Louis XIV Wingback Fauteuil
Located in Dallas, TX
This highly unusual fauteuil was not only crafted from select French walnut in the style preferred by Louis XIV, it boasts "wingbacks" designed to allow lounging comfort. Elegantly s...
Pair of Louis XIV Style Italian Gilt Wood Wing Back Lounge Chairs, 1930
Located in New York, NY
Stunning pair of Large Italian Modern Neo-Baroque Gilt Wood Throne / Lounge chairs / Wingback / Club / Armchairs. Large, comfortable and stylish.
Upholstery, Velvet, Giltwood
