Louis Philippe Secretaires
Known as the “Citizen King,” Louis Philippe reigned from 1830 to the Revolution of 1848 with the support of the upper bourgeoisie. Whereas the monarchs of 18th-century France, including Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI, dictated aesthetics through the decadence of the aristocratic court, Louis Philippe had a more down-to-earth presence. He could be seen walking the streets like an ordinary person, carrying his own umbrella and shaking hands with subjects. Antique Louis Philippe–style furniture reflects a sense of simplicity and the sovereign’s passion for the country’s history, such as his establishment of a Museum of the History of France at Versailles, which had been mostly disused since the French Revolution.
Middle Ages, Gothic and Renaissance design informed a nationalist style that celebrated this heritage, with the hodgepodge of influences becoming prevalent in the homes of the bourgeoisie. Cabinetmakers Guillaume and Jean-Michel Grohé created reproductions of historic pieces for the king as well as royal houses abroad. Louis Philippe commissioned sculptor François Rude to create patriotic monuments that paid tribute to military heroes, while designs for furniture published by Claude-Aimé Chenavard, an ornamentalist who conceived widely loved objects for the Sèvres manufactory, further helped spread a revival of Renaissance style.
The rounded profiles of authentic Louis Philippe tables and chairs were preferred in the apartments rather than palaces being furnished by the affluent middle and upper classes. Ornamentation was minimal on the finely crafted pieces, such as large rectangular mirrors adorned with gold and silver leaf finishes and subdued carvings. The popular Louis Philippe commodes were solidly made with clean lines that showed off the grain of the wood and were often topped with marble surfaces.
Find a collection of antique Louis Philippe seating, dining tables, bedroom furniture and other items on 1stDibs.
1840s French Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Walnut
1840s French Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-19th Century French Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Leather, Mahogany
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Fruitwood, Lacquer
Mid-19th Century French Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Brass
19th Century French Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Cherry
Mid-19th Century French Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Marble
1920s Belgian Vintage Louis Philippe Secretaires
Oak
Mid-19th Century French Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Leather, Fruitwood
Mid-19th Century French Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Marble
1810s French Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Marble, Brass
1850s French Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-19th Century German Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Brass
1860s European Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Brass
Mid-19th Century French Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Leather, Walnut
Mid-19th Century German Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Mahogany
1840s French Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Pine
1840s French Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Walnut
Early 20th Century Italian Louis Philippe Secretaires
Maple, Walnut
19th Century French Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
1910s French Vintage Louis Philippe Secretaires
Carrara Marble, Brass
1920s Belgian Vintage Louis Philippe Secretaires
Oak
18th Century French Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Louis Philippe Secretaires
Brass
1850s French Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century French Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Leather, Fruitwood
18th Century English Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Metal, Brass
1870s French Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Walnut
Late 20th Century North American Louis Philippe Secretaires
Burl
Mid-20th Century French Louis Philippe Secretaires
Brass
19th Century French Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Mahogany
1910s Norwegian Vintage Louis Philippe Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Oak
19th Century French Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Rosewood, Walnut, Leather
Mid-19th Century French Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Leather, Walnut, Burl
1860s French Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Faux Leather, Walnut, Burl
1850s French Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century French Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Marble
19th Century European Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Walnut
1850s French Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Marble, Metal
Early 1900s French Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis Philippe Secretaires
Brass