The style of 18th-century French furniture was guided by the court. When Louis XV, who reigned from 1715–74, focused royal life on the smaller salons of Versailles rather than its grand chambers, it transformed the aesthetics away from the imposing and angular furniture that characterized the style of Louis XIV. A broader focus on comfort and more delicate forms define antique Louis XV furniture, with nature-inspired carvings, wood inlays, curved cabriole legs, asymmetrical shapes and rounded oval seat backs. The furnishings changed throughout the king’s life, as he ascended to the throne as a child and then grew to establish his own tastes.
Pieces like the bergère, an upholstered armchair with a wide cushion that fit the flowing dresses in fashion at the time, reflected this more informal court. Introduced at the start of Louis XV’s reign, bergère chairs in this style were deeper and broader than other chairs of the period.
Louis XV tapestries and carpets tended to be floral and colorful, and design elements were borrowed from Asia. Dutch-born cabinetmaker Bernard van Risenburgh brought lacquer techniques influenced by Japan and China into his luxuriously made furniture. Along with its fine details, the furniture of the era also featured new innovations including mechanical devices. Jean François Oeben, a royal cabinetmaker, created such intricate pieces as a mechanical table for Madame de Pompadour, Louis XV’s mistress. It involved a sliding top and a writing surface that extended from its marquetry panels.
During the later years of Louis XV’s reign, there was a shift from the ostentatious rocaille style, part of the exuberantly decorative Rococo movement in Europe for which designers such as Nicolas Pineau and Juste-Aurèle Meissonier are known. The style under Louis XVI would return to boxier forms, but with a neoclassical touch inspired by the ancient world.
Find antique Louis XV bedroom furniture, seating, tables and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
$896Sale Price / set|25% Off
English Nesting Tables by Bevan Funnell Reprodux
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on CONTINUE READING at the bottom of this page. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A Set of 3 English Nestin...
Walnut, Burl
Antique French Louis XV Style Parquetry Top Nest of Tables
Located in Barnstaple, GB
Antique French Louis XV Style Parquetry Top Nest of Tables dating to circa 1900. These beautiful tables have striking parquetry tops raised on elegant cabriole legs with gilt ormalu ...
Walnut
Set of Three Mid-Century French Louis XV Style Brass and Onyx Nesting Tables
Located in Dallas, TX
A delightful marriage of graceful French design and luxurious natural materials, this set of three nesting tables brings elegance and versatility to an interior. Each table is crowne...
Onyx, Brass
Early 1930s Refined Three Louis XV Nesting Tables, French, walnut, wax polished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
An elegant trio of nesting tables in solid walnut wood, featuring cabriole legs and scalloped tabletops with graceful curved profiles. The shellac or natural varnish finish highlight...
Walnut
Set of 3 Binda Collection Italian Louis XV Ormolu & Leather Inset Nesting Tables
Located in Germantown, MD
A Stunning Set of 3 Binda Collection Italian Louis XV Ormolu Mounted and Leather Inset Nesting Tables in great vintage condition. Measures: 22.25" W x 15.25"D x 21"H 18"W x 12.75"D x...
Ormolu
Three Vintage Louis XV Carved Satinwood Inlaid Nest of Nesting Side Tables
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Set of three vintage French Louis XV style carved, painted, and satinwood inlaid nesting side tables. Item features beautifully carved bases, satinwood inlaid tops, and elegant overa...
Wood
Antique French Louis XV Style Nest of Tables
Located in London, GB
A beautiful and elegant French Louis XV style nest of tables, dating from around the 1920-30’s period. The quality is fabulous, these are very well made with a beautiful inlaid desi...
Bronze
Lovely Vintage French Inlaid Parquetry Nest of Tables
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this Lovely Vintage French Parquetry Nest Of Tables. A lovely and elegant French Louis XV style parquetry nest of tables. This has been lightly ...
Wood
$1,440Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 34.65 in W 48.04 in D 18.31 in
X2 Lovely Bevan Funnell Phoenix Zebrano Wood Demilune Console Tables
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of brand new Bevan Funnell Phoenix Zebrano wood demilune console tables I have two pairs...
Wood
$1,372 / set
H 22.45 in W 22.05 in D 15.85 in
Bevan Funnell Burr / Burl Oak Nest of Tables Absolutely Stunning
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Wimbledon-Furniture Wimbledon-Furniture is delighted to offer for sale this stunning brand new Bevan Funnell burr oak nest of tables These are...
Oak
$1,410Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 46.5 in W 60.5 in D 35.5 in
Midcentury Italian Brass and Glass Set of 3 Nesting Tables
By Romeo Rega
Located in Roma, IT
A glamorous set of Nesting Tables made in Italy during the 1970s, composed of 3 tables in three different sizes. the measurements of the biggest are: Height 46.5 cm Width 60.5 cm ...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Set of Three Nesting Tables
Located in Nantucket, MA
A Mid-Century Modern set of three nesting tables with inlay along the tops and on the two sides. The larger table measures 24.25"w x 15.50"d x 17.25"h; the middle one measures 22.25...
Wood
Mid Century Style Nest of Tables
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Mid-Century Modern style nest of tables. The side tables are sculpted from American walnut with a hand-rubbed lacquer finish and brass ferrules. Hardware is acid dipped and hand-ru...
Wood
1970s Nesting Tables by Luciano Frigerio
Located in Milan, IT
1970s Stunning nesting tables by Luciano Frigerio.
Wood
$3,250 / set
H 17.25 in W 21.5 in D 12 in
Art Deco Nesting Tables Set, Black Metal & Glass, France, 1930s Design
Located in Austin, TX
Set of three nesting tables from France in the Art Deco period. These tables are made with black metal structures with curule shaped legs. The tops are all black glass. This set is i...
Metal
Swedish designer alder root nesting tables , 1930s
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Elegant set of nesting tables by anonymous designer in Sweden during the first half of the 20th century. Body of birch with beautiful top of alder root. Slender legs with sculpted ...
Birch
$2,469
H 29.53 in W 42.13 in D 21.26 in
Reprodux Bevan Funnell Lovely Military Campaign Style Writing Desk
Located in Crawley, GB
We delight to ofer for sale this amazing military campaign writing table with brass corners and leather top made by Reprodux Bevan Funnell . Don't hesitate to contact me if you have ...
Brass
Set of 3 Nesting Tables
Located in Annville, PA
The Set of 3 Nesting Tables from Niagara Furniture features three tables, all with attractive inlaid mahogany tops. Supported on hand carved, solid mahogany legs which are turned to ...
Mahogany
Federal Style Vintage Mahogany and Gilded Table by Bevan-Funnell
Located in Wichita, KS
Elegant vintage Federal-style table crafted in rich mahogany with refined gilded accents. This classic form features beautifully balanced proportions, a warm, luminous finish, and a ...
Giltwood, Mahogany, Wood
$4,113
H 19.89 in W 21.86 in D 13.78 in
Scandinavian Modern Nesting Tables in Iron and Glass, Sweden, 1930s
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
A set of three nesting tables by an unknown designer and manufacturer, made in Sweden during the 1930s. Constructed from white-painted iron with rectangular glass tops. The sides ar...
Iron
Antique French Inlaid Nest of Tables
Located in London, GB
A stunning antique French inlaid nest of tables. This was made in France, it dates from around the 1930’s. The quality is fantastic, this is beautifully made with gorgeous inlays on...
Brass, Ormolu
Set of Three Nesting Tables — Contemporary Louis XV Style
Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-LA-PLACE, FR
This remarkable set of three gilded wooden nesting tables originates from an elegant bourgeois residence in the heart of the Loire Valley. These exceptional pieces once belonged to a...
Giltwood
Antique French Louis XV Style Nest of Tables
Located in London, GB
A beautiful and elegant antique French nest of tables, dating from around the 1920-30’s period. The quality is fabulous, these are very well made with a beautiful inlaid design and ...
Bronze
Antique French Inlaid Nest of Tables
Located in London, GB
A stunning antique French inlaid nest of tables. This was made in France, it dates from around the 1930’s. The quality is fantastic, this is beautifully made with gorgeous inlays on...
Brass, Ormolu
Sold
H 14.97 in W 20.08 in D 16.15 in
French Vintage Set of 3 Onyx Marble Brass Nesting Tables-Style Louis XV-70s
Located in Bussiere Dunoise, Nouvel Aquitaine
Set of 3 Vintage green Onyx Marble Brass Nesting Tables from the 70s Onyx Marble Tops with natural Patterns - beautiful Play of colors- jade-orange-brown and mother-of-pearl The fram...
Onyx, Marble, Brass
Antique French Inlaid Walnut Nest of Three Tables
Located in London, GB
A beautiful antique nest of tables in walnut, this was made in France, it dates from around the 1900-1920 period. The quality is superb, this is very well made and it is an extremel...
Walnut
Antique French Leather Top Nest of Tables
Located in London, GB
A gorgeous antique French nest of tables, with inset leather tops. They were made in France, and date from around the 1920-1930’s. The quality i...
Wood, Leather
Sold
H 24 in W 16 in D 20 in
Set Three Louis XV-Style Kingwood and Parquetry Nesting Tables, French, c. 1880
Located in Banner Elk, NC
A Suite of Three Louis XV-Style Kingwood and Parquetry Nesting Tables, each with a shaped and banded rectangular top centered by a parquetry panel and within an ormolu band, raised o...
Bronze
Antique French Inlaid Parquetry Nest of Tables
Located in London, GB
A beautiful and elegant antique French nest of tables, dating from the 1930’s. They are of superb quality, with fine parquetry inlay on the tops ...
Ormolu
Antique French Nest of 5 Inlaid Walnut Tables
Located in London, GB
A stunning set of five French nesting tables in walnut and brass, dating from around the 1930’s. The quality is amazing, the design is beautiful and incredibly useful. The walnut ...
Brass
Antique French Inlaid Marquetry Nest of Tables
Located in London, GB
A beautiful antique French nest of three tables with inlaid floral marquetry of various woods, dating from around the 1930’s. They are of super quality and made from a beautiful c...
Wood
Antique French Burr Walnut Nest of Tables
Located in London, GB
A beautiful antique French style walnut nest of tables with burr walnut tops, dating from around the 1930’s period. The quality is superb, they are beautifully constructed with cris...
Walnut