As opposed to the styles that would follow from the other 18th-century French kings, Louis XV and Louis XVI, antique Louis XIV furniture is rigid and imposing. It expresses opulence — even its armchairs, with their upright backs, straight legs and lavish ornamentation, look like thrones. Authentic Louis XIV sofas, a then newly emerging iteration of seating, are fully upholstered and often feature decoratively carved frames of walnut, chestnut or oak.
When French King Louis XIV established his royal court at Versailles in 1682, he transformed what was once a hunting lodge into a palace that declared his wealth and power through its design. Until his death in 1715, he reigned with a spirit of excess and absolute political dominance. The “Sun King,” as he called himself, believed that France revolved around him as planets do the sun. Louis XIV adopted the sun as his emblem, decorating the grounds with symbols of the sun and Apollo, the Greek god of the sun. As he stated, “There is nothing that indicates more clearly the magnificence of great princes than their superb palaces and their precious furniture.” He was a child when he became king in 1643, only shaping his style after he became absolute monarch in 1661.
Reflecting trends in French Baroque art, Louis XIV furniture characteristics included exuberant decoration. There were gilded bronze details including shells, suns, grotesques, lions and classical references like acanthus leaves. The years of growth in the country’s manufacturing, such as the tapestries and cabinets made at Gobelins, led to design innovations. The commode replaced the chest as a storage device, with drawers and a surface that could double as a desk.
The materials were luxurious, such as the popular tortoiseshell veneer technique that leading cabinetmaker Pierre Golle used in his designs. André-Charles Boulle, who became royal cabinetmaker in 1672, was a masterful artist of marquetry, using inlays of ebony, exotic woods and mother-of-pearl.
Find a collection of antique Louis XIV bedroom furniture, chairs, tables and other pieces on 1stDibs.
19th Century French Louis XIV Breton Carved Oak Sofa Table Desk, 1890s
Located in BÉTERA, ES
19th Century French Breton Carved Oak Sofa Table or Desk, Louis XIV Style. Direct from France, a superb quality, highly carved antique oak sofa table...
Hardwood, Oak
Early 20th Century Italian Louis XIV Style Coffee Table in Solid Walnut
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We offer this unique Italian coffee table from the early 20th century, crafted from solid walnut. This coffee table is inspired by the antique Louis XIV style. It features curved le...
Walnut
Charming Mid-20th Century French Table
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Charming mid-20th century French table.
Oak
$1,580
H 19.69 in W 51.19 in D 27.17 in
Mid Century Large Solid Rectangular Coffee Table in Pine, Danish Modern, 1960s
By Sven Larsson, Roland Wilhelmsson
Located in Odense, DK
A striking and generously proportioned rectangular coffee table in solid pine, crafted by a Danish cabinet maker in the 1960s. The design combines simplicity and strength, with a thi...
Pine
$1,200
H 20.87 in Dm 28.35 in
Danish Modern Round Coffee Table in Solid Pine, Rainer Daumiller Style, 1970s
By Hirtshals Savvaerk, Rainer Daumiller
Located in Odense, DK
A fine Danish Modern round coffee table in solid pine, made in the style of Rainer Daumiller in the 1970s by a Danish Cabinetmaker. This sculptural coffee / side table will complem...
Pine
French Coffee table early 19th century
Located in MILL, NL
Large-sized country coffee table. Original from France, early 19th century. In good condition. Beautiful colour and patina. With drawer at front. Dimensions: 122L x 102W x 49H
Wood
19th Century Carved Oak Console Table
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak console table from England with a wonderfully detailed hand carved backsplash over the top of the table, which has a beveled and car...
Oak
19th Century French Oak Worktable, 1890s
Located in Miami, FL
Handcrafted from solid oak wood, richly detailed original antique character including a rectangular top, rising on turned legs in a tapered baluster shape. Great original antique/vi...
Walnut
$2,700
H 45 in W 54 in D 23.5 in
Antique French Table Hall Entry Console Sofa Table Two Drawers Oak C. 1890s
Located in Tyler, TX
CHARMING Antique French Renaissance revival oak entry, hall table, sofa table or console with drawers ~~c. 1890s Charming table with two drawers and carved crown~~perfect for use ...
Oak
$2,280
H 20.48 in W 53.15 in D 29.53 in
Mid Century Rectangular Marble Coffee Table, Made in Italy, 1970s
Located in Odense, DK
This beautiful rectangular coffee table, made in Italy during the 1970s, is an elegant example of mid-century design with a bold sculptural presence. The tabletop is crafted from war...
Marble, Iron
$3,550
H 31.25 in W 35.5 in D 23.75 in
Antique French Breton Carved Oak Sofa Table Writing Library Desk Louis XIV
Located in Shreveport, LA
19th century French Breton Carved Oak sofa table writing desk Louis XIV. Direct from France, a highly carved, excellent quality antique oak sofa tabl...
Oak
19th Century Regency Mahogany Sofa Table
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Good Quality, Early 19th Century, Regency Period Mahogany Sofa Table, Having Well Figured Rectangular Drop Flap Top With Ebonised Inlay Decoration, Over Two Frieze Drawers Opposed ...
Mahogany
Japanese Antique Coffee Table, Wabi-Sabi, Early 20th Century
Located in Katori-Shi, 12
This is a Japanese antique coffee table produced in the Taisho period. This furniture was made by applying traditional techniques used in Japanese shrines. The material is high-quality oak. The grain of the wood is very beautiful. The coating is a uniquely Japanese lacquer coating. The unique design is decorated with carvings and ornaments unique to Japan by craftsmen of the time. This furniture expresses the world of Japanese “Wabi Sabi”. The materials, techniques, and design are all at the pinnacle of Japanese antique furniture.
Wood
19th Century Louis XV French Desk with Cabriolet Legs, 1890s
Located in Miami, FL
19th century Louis XV style French walnut writing desk with three drawers and cabriolet legs. Created in France during the 19th century, th...
Bronze
Early 19th Century English Regency Sofa Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a stunning early 19th century English Regency sofa table. Made from flamed mahogany, circa 1810-20. Drop leaves on either s...
Brass
Sold
H 31 in W 43.5 in D 23 in
Antique French Console Sofa Table Louis XIV Carved Walnut Lyre Scroll c1880
Located in Shreveport, LA
19th Century French console sofa table Louis XIV style carved walnut w Lyre Scrolls. Direct from France, a highly carved 19th century sofa table, opulently carved on both the exter...
Oak, Walnut
19th Century French Henri II Stripped Console, Sofa Table
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Henri II stripped console ~ sofa table is a handsome piece, with boldly carved relief across the upper tier depicting a Norseman f...
Oak
17th Century Basque Country Writing Table with Inset Star
Located in Dallas, TX
This small table comes from the present day area of Southwestern France and Northern Spain, also known as the Basque country. Due to its size and drawers present on the front, we can consider it a writing table. Though the table has evidence of old green paint (not original), it is now back to its original, natural color. The wood is beautiful worn and has a warm patina. Along the front of the apron, is a carved palmette, and the top has a large inset star in the middle of the plank. The baluster shape legs are thick and impressive, in line with robust lines of 17th century Louis XIV style furniture...
Wood
French Early 20th Century Pair of Sofa Tables
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French early 20th century pair of sofa tables.
Slate
Sold
H 32.25 in W 63.75 in D 29.25 in
French LXIV Period Carved Walnut Two-Drawer Library Table, 18th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
isn't this table amazing!? the rectangular top housing two drawers with original hardware, the legs of exaggerated baluster form and very unique 1st Quarter 18th Century
French Oak and Chestnut Monastery Table, Early 18th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
The thick rectangular top resting on straight legs atop shaped bracket feet, joined by a simple stretcher.
Sold
H 29 in W 60 in D 28 in
Antique French Louis XIV Style Carved Walnut and Burl Sofa Table, circa 1920
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique French Louis XIV style sofa table features top with carved foliate border surround of bookmatched quarters and burl inset, reeded a...
Walnut, Burl
Sold
H 33.5 in W 92 in D 21 in
Long French Hand-Carved Walnut Two-Pedestal Legs Console Table with Stretcher
Located in Dallas, TX
This long, elegant fruitwood table has a slim profile and is in the Baroque style of Louis XIV. The console is made with antique fruitwood, has nicely hand-carved legs with a wide st...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 31 in W 68.5 in D 33.5 in
French Louis XIV Period Library Table with Hand-Forged Iron Accents and Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French late 17th century library table with original hand-forged iron accents, two drawers and six turned legs with side stretchers. This ...
Iron
Sold
H 36.5 in W 44 in D 22 in
French Louis XIV Style Console Table With Thick Marble Top by Maison Jansen
Located in Stamford, CT
French Louis XIV style console table, the rectangular marble atop a narrow frieze fitted with two drawers, decorated with parcel-gilt car...
Marble
French Louis XIV Style Painted Console Table
Located in Stamford, CT
A white distress painted and parcel-gilt console table in the style of French Louis XIV, the rectangular top over a narrow frieze decorated with silver glass panels, raised on four s...
Rare French table with Coromandel laquer top
Located in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FR
French giltwood table with Coromandel laque on top, four sculpted feet with cross piece
Wood