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.
Louis Philippe French Rafraichissoir
Located in Austin, TX
Rafraichissoir table from France in the Louis XVI style. This beautiful antique side table features two metal bucket holders and a small drawer for bar accessories. The mahogany has ...
Carrara Marble
19th Century French Louis Philippe Marble Top Walnut Rafraichissoir Dry Bar
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a den or living room with this elegant antique "Rafraichissoir" table (the design was originally created as a refreshing station to keep champagne or white wine chilled...
Marble, Zinc
19th Century French Louis Philippe Marble Top Walnut Rafraichissoir Dry Bar
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a den or living room with this elegant antique "Rafraichissoir" table (the design was originally created as a refreshing station to keep champagne or white wine chilled...
Marble, Zinc
Italian Design Mid-Century Bar Cart, 1950s
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Rare 1950s Italian desgin serving bar cart. Made of beech wood equipped with two glass shelves and brass wheels for convenient movement. Perfect for serving drinks to your guests. Vi...
Glass, Beech
Midcentury Chrome Glass and Marble Bar Cart
Located in Houston, TX
A midcentury two-tiered chrome, glass, and marble bar cart on casters.
Marble, Chrome
$2,495
H 30 in W 30 in D 16 in
20th Century French Louis XVI Walnut Champagne Table, Rafraichissoir, Server
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This mid twentieth century Louis XVI style walnut side table features a marble top surrounded by a bronze gallery. Two removable zinc buckets that rest in the marble top serve to chi...
Marble, Zinc
Antique French Mahogany Console Table Louis Philippe
Located in SAINTE-COLOMBE, FR
Antique French mahogany console table Louis Philippe. This impressive console table features a variegated black, white and grey Brèche marbl...
Breccia Marble
$4,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.75 in W 70.5 in D 36 in
French Louis Philippe Fruitwood Farmhouse Dining Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Elegant 19th century French Louis Philippe farmhouse dining table or harvest table crafted from fruitwood. Constructed with wood peg joinery having a storage drawer on each end with a brass pull. The case has a thick plank top with breadboard ends and a distinctive provincial style shaped apron. Supported by svelte turned legs ending with a peg foot. The fruitwood has a rich, dark cherry finish...
Fruitwood
Mid-Century Modern Bar Cart by Cesare Lacca, Walnut & Glass, Italy
By Cassina, Cesare Lacca
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian bar cart made of hand crafted polished Walnut, designed by Cesare Lacca and produced by Cassina, enhanced by detailed wood carvings, in good cond...
Metal, Chrome
$2,950
H 29 in W 24 in D 15.75 in
Louis XVI–Style Blond Mahogany Rolling Table with Brass Gallery, France, 20th Ce
Located in Atlanta, GA
A refined French rolling table crafted in blond mahogany in the Louis XVI style, dating to the twentieth century. Elegant in proportion and light in appearance, this piece reflects n...
Glass, Wood
19th Century Iron and Marble Top French Pastry Table
Located in San Angelo, TX
A gorgeous 19th century French marble top pastry table featuring old white painted patina on the iron base. This beauty features decorative brass hardware with patina and a white vei...
Marble, Brass, Iron, Wrought Iron
$6,750 / item
H 32 in W 36 in D 16 in
Blackened Steel, Cast-Concrete and Solid Walnut Wood Handsome Bar Cart
By Stefan Rurak
Located in Biddeford, ME
This bar cart is composed of a welded steel frame with lower steel shelf. Upper shelf is a mix of cast-concrete with a removable walnut surface that is finished to be food safe and u...
Concrete, Steel, Cut Steel
Mategot Bar Trolley, France, 1950s
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Mategot bar trolley, France, 1950s. Black metal base. Vinyl covered tabletop. Castors move prefect.
Metal
Vintage French Brass Drinks Trolley
Located in London, GB
A beautiful vintage French brass drinks trolley. This was recently imported from France, it dates from the 1960’s. It is of amazing quality, the oval frame stands on beautifully sha...
Brass
$2,796Sale Price|60% Off
H 29.14 in W 25.99 in D 17.72 in
French Neoclassical Maison Ramsay Gilded Iron Bar Cart, 1940s
Located in Paris, IDF
This chic bar cart from the 1940s carries with it the elegant mood of the neoclassical post Art Deco period. Glittering in an antiqued gold gilt finish, this iron craft bar cart adds...
Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
French 19th Century Rafraichissoir
Located in Austin, TX
French antique solid walnut Rafraichissoir, turned legs, gilt brass trim and hardware, side drawer, Sainte Anne marble top has openings for two tin ice buckets with handles. A classy...
Walnut