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.
19th Century French Louis Philippe Walnut Rafraîchissoir with Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
Elegant and highly functional, this antique Louis Philippe rafraîchissoir was originally designed as a refreshing station for chilling and serving wine. Crafted in France circa 1840,...
Marble, Zinc
19th Century French Louis Philippe Walnut Rafraîchissoir with Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
A refined example of a traditional French rafraîchissoir, this antique walnut table was designed as a convenient serving station for chilled wine or Champagne. Crafted in France circ...
Marble, Zinc
Louis Philippe Rafraichissoir Table, Mahogany & Marble, France, 1845
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
Louis Philippe Mahogany Center Table with Marble Top, Belgium, 1840
Located in Montreal, QC
Louis Philippe period mahogany center table with original shaped conforming marble top, with beaded frieze, raised on turned, beaded and gadrooned urn-form pedestal, on acanthus car...
Marble
Mid-Century Modern Bar Cart by Cesare Lacca, Walnut & Chrome, 1940s
By Cassina, Cesare Lacca
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-brown, 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,...
Metal, Chrome
$2,975
H 34.25 in W 30.75 in D 20.25 in
Mid Century French Mahogany and Brass Three Tier Campaign Table/Cart Brass
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Elegant mid-century French bar cart featuring three circular mahogany tiers supported by slender brass columns. The top shelf is encircled by a polished brass gallery rail with decor...
Brass
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
$2,400
H 29.63 in W 17.75 in D 17.75 in
19th Century French Mahogany Rafraîchissoir Table with Marble Top
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French mahogany and gray marble rafraîchissoir table from the late 19th century. Functioning like a bar cart or dry bar, this occasional table is adapted to keeping beverages cold ...
Marble, Brass
$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
19th Century Louis Philippe Rafraichissoir Side Table
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Louis Philippe rafraîchissoir, or wine cooler, made of walnut with turned legs, lower shelf and a small dovetailed drawer with brass knob. Black marble top with...
Marble, Brass
Mid-Century Modern Bar Cart by Cesare Lacca, Walnut & Glass, Italy
By Cesare Lacca, Cassina
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
Late 19th Century French Louis Philippe Rafraîchissoir Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
French Louis Philippe rafraîchissoir table in fruitwood with grey marble top, zinc linked wells, a single drawer, and 2 lower shelves. Late 19th Century 29 1/2"h x 18 1/4"w x 18 1/...
Marble
19th Century French Walnut Serving Table
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
An elegantly proportioned 19th Century French serving table. In walnut and featuring a single plank top, with wrought iron metalwork on the underside. All in excellent condition h...
Walnut
$2,800
H 30.25 in W 22.25 in D 15.375 in
French Louis XVI Style Rafraichissoir Table, Mahogany & Marble, 1910
Located in Austin, TX
Rafraichissoir table from France in the Louis XVI style. This beautiful antique side table features two metal champagne bucket holders and a small...
Marble, Brass
Mid 19th Century Louis Philippe Walnut Side Table with Marble Top
Located in Winter Park, FL
A mid 19th century French Louis Philippe marble top walnut side table, or nightstand, with three dovetailed drawers, tapered legs and lower shelf. Finished on all four sides. Small b...
Marble, Brass
$8,200
H 27 in Dm 32 in
Antique French Louis Philippe Marble-Top Mahogany Center Table, Circa 1830-1840
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Louis Philippe Mahogany center table with marble top, Circa 1830-1840
Marble
19th Century English Walnut Canterbury
Located in Savannah, GA
This is a Canterbury or bookcase or 3-stage display or server made in England, circa 1870. The piece is made of Kashmir walnut (the finest cut of Burr Walnut). There is a pierced bra...
Walnut, Burl
$5,621Sale Price|25% Off
H 35.25 in W 29.5 in D 21.5 in
Louis XVI Style Mahogany and Ormolu Mounted 2-Tier Dessert Table by P. E. Guerin
By P. E. Guerin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A charming early 20th century Louis XVI style mahogany, gilt bronze mounted and parcel-gilt ovoid two-tier tea or dessert table by P. E. Guerin. The twin-top dessert with quad-suppor...
Bronze, Ormolu
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