Louis Philippe Pedestals
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 Italian Antique Louis Philippe Pedestals
Walnut
1850s Italian Antique Louis Philippe Pedestals
Beech
Mid-19th Century French Antique Louis Philippe Pedestals
Pearwood, Walnut
1940s Italian Vintage Louis Philippe Pedestals
Walnut
19th Century Italian Antique Louis Philippe Pedestals
Elm, Walnut
19th Century Italian Antique Louis Philippe Pedestals
Marble
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis Philippe Pedestals
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis Philippe Pedestals
Oak
1920s French Vintage Louis Philippe Pedestals
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Louis Philippe Pedestals
Walnut
Mid-19th Century Antique Louis Philippe Pedestals
Pine, Paint
1930s Swedish Vintage Louis Philippe Pedestals
Birch, Elm
Mid-19th Century French Antique Louis Philippe Pedestals
Wood
1830s Italian Antique Louis Philippe Pedestals
Wood
Late 19th Century English Antique Louis Philippe Pedestals
Wood
1850s British Indian Ocean Territory Antique Louis Philippe Pedestals
Rosewood, Hardwood
19th Century French Antique Louis Philippe Pedestals
Marble, Brass
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Louis Philippe Pedestals
Walnut
Mid-19th Century French Antique Louis Philippe Pedestals
Walnut
19th Century French Antique Louis Philippe Pedestals
Brass
Early 19th Century French Antique Louis Philippe Pedestals
Walnut
1850s European Antique Louis Philippe Pedestals
Carrara Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis Philippe Pedestals
Onyx
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis Philippe Pedestals
Marble
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Louis Philippe Pedestals
Mahogany
1850s Italian Antique Louis Philippe Pedestals
Walnut
1850s Italian Antique Louis Philippe Pedestals
Walnut
1850s Italian Antique Louis Philippe Pedestals
Walnut