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.
Pair of French Gilt Carved Wood & Gesso Foliage Gadrooned Wall Brackets, C. 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of French gilt wood and gesso decorative carved foliage and gadrooned hanging wall brackets, Early 19th century.
Gesso, Wood, Giltwood
Antique Wrought Iron Shop Sign Bracket, Late 19th Century
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
Original old wrought iron "shop nose"/ shop sign bracket. Anthracite gray painted. Attached to the house wall of a shop so that you can hang your own...
Wrought Iron
Pair Italian Painted Wood Wall Brackets
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
1550 Italian pair painted wood wall brackets with crackel and gilt finish
Hardwood
$1,450 / set
H 26 in W 10 in D 6.5 in
Antique Italian Mirrored Wall Brackets, Giltwood, Mid-19th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Antique wall brackets with water gilding & mirrored back.
Giltwood
19th Century Anglo-Indian / Burmese Wall Bracket / Shelf
Located in Hoddesdon, GB
An extremely rare intricately carved 19th-century Anglo-Indian wall bracket or shelf. This exquisite piece is beautifully made . Intricately carved throughout with breathtaking d...
Hardwood
19th Century Anglo-Indian / Burmese Wall Bracket / Shelf
Located in Hoddesdon, GB
Anglo-Indian wall bracket or shelf. Circa 1880s An extremely rare intricately carved 19th-century Anglo-Indian wall bracket or shelf. This exquisite piece is beautifully made . ...
Teak
Pair Of Italian Carved And Giltwood Wall Brackets
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pair of Italian carved and giltwood wall brackets. Beautifully carved with acanthus leaves and scrollwork. Nice wide shelf atop a base that cumulates into a pineapple-like shape at b...
Giltwood
$1,872Sale Price|52% Off
H 10.25 in W 17.63 in D 7.63 in
French Baroque Style Parcel-Gilt Carved Wood Wall Bracket, Sconce, or Shelf
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A large last half of the 19th century French Baroque style stained, painted, and parcel-gilt wall bracket of unusual bisected cornice form having stained chestnut shelf above compoun...
Wood, Giltwood
$5,000
H 29 in W 42.5 in D 22 in
Italian 18th Century Richly Carved & Gilt Wood Rococo Style Wall Bracket
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian 18th century gilded bracket. This large size Italian Rococo style bracket features an abundance of decor associated to a very curvy Silhouet...
Wood
19th Century Mahogany Corner Bracket with Inlaid Vignettes
Located in Long Island City, NY
19th century mahogany corner bracket with inlaid vignettes. The vignettes depict a woman and a man fishing.
Pair of Italian Gold Gilt Wall Brackets
Located in Bradenton, FL
A Pair of Italian Rococo Style Gold Gilt Wall Brackets. Brackets feature impressive gold scrolling with floral motif. Top of shelf is painted black. Hangers in place on reverse side....
Resin
Pair Of 19th Century Italian Giltwood Wall Brackets
Located in Houston, TX
Pair Of 19th Century Italian Giltwood Wall Brackets. Stunning large pair of Italian Baroque style painted and gilt wood wall brackets, wall shelves or wall consoles to display your p...
Giltwood
$695 / set
H 7.25 in W 9.25 in D 4 in
Pair of Mid-20th Century Italian Giltwood & Gesso Wall Brackets Shelves
Located in Pearland, TX
A lovely pair of vintage Italian gilded wood and gesso wall brackets shelves, circa 1950. These stunning brackets are decorated with scrolling leaves in a beautiful gilt patina. They...
Giltwood, Gesso
Elegant Antique Pair of Carved and Gilded French Wall Brackets
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Superbly elegant pair of French antique carved and gilded wood wall brackets adorned with acanthus leaves.
Wood
Sold
H 30 in W 17 in D 10.5 in
French 1830s Louis-Philippe Period Stucco Wall Bracket Decoration with Garland
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis-Philippe period stucco wall bracket decoration from the mid-19th century, with egg-and-dart and garland motifs. Born in France during the early years of king Louis-Phi...
Stucco
Pr. Antique French Gilded Bronze Drapery Tiebacks
Located in New Orleans, LA
A fine pair of Louis Philippe drapery tiebacks, gilt bronze in a coquille design, beautifully cast in lovely detail. A fine addition to complete a ...
Bronze
Sold
H 9.25 in W 8.75 in D 4.75 in
Pair of French Gilt Carved Wood Floral Scrolled & Scalloped Wall Brackets C 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of French gilt carved wood and gesso floral scrolled wall brackets with scalloped shelving, Mid-19th century.
Gesso, Wood, Giltwood
French Hand Forged Iron 3 Hook Wall Rack
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
French 19th century hand forged iron wall rack with wonderful detailing and patina. Long pierced flat bar with split ends featuring 3 large curled hooks held together with square han...