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.
French 18th Century Brass Candlestick
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
French 18th century Louis XV brass candlesticks with very nice patina. In good condition. Measures: 19 cm high diameter 10 cm.
Brass
Antique 18th Century Pair of Chinoisérie Candle Wall Appliques Candle Sconces
Located in Munich, DE
This unusual pair of wall candle appliques is carved out of wood, ebonized and partially guilt. They are executed in the 'chinoisérie' taste, so popul...
Wood
19th Century Italian Carved Polychrome and Painted Candlesticks, Set of Four
Located in Dallas, TX
Add an air of drama and elegance to your home with this important suite of tall antique candlesticks. Crafted in Italy circa 1860, each candle holder stands on a sturdy triangle base...
Wood
Mid-Century French Louis XV Patinated Verdigris Bronze Candle Holder
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1950 and made of solid bronze, the vintage candle holder stands on a triangular base ending with scrolled feet. The stem is...
Bronze
$1,129Sale Price / set|26% Off
Pair of Bronze Candleholders Louis XV Style, French, Late 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
French decorative candle holder in the Louis XV style. Plated bronze. Good condition with nice patina Shipping 41/20/25 5.8Kg
Bronze
Pair of French Louis XV Style Bronze Four Light Sconces
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Pair of French Louis XV style bronze four light sconces Important antique pair of fire gilded bronze wall sconces. They are unusual and of exceptional quality. This rare model wit...
Bronze
18th Century French Bronze Candlestick
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Very beautiful early 18th century bronze candlestick with suburb Patina. Measures: 15 cm high 16.5 diameter base. Free shipping.
Bronze
French Pair of Louis XV Style Four Branch Candelabras in Bronze
Located in Sofia, BG
Pair of bronze candelabras with four branches having two different figures standing at the bottom part. France, circa 1920.
Bronze
Set of Four Large 19th Century Carved Marble Pricket Candlesticks
Located in Hudson, NY
This set of carved marble pricket candlesticks might have been used as altar sticks for a church but could easily also have been made for a private house that had marble details and ...
Marble
Mid-Century Candle Holder by Gabrielle Mackiewicz, Terracotta, France
Located in London, England
Magnifique petit bougeoir (ou coupelle bougeoir) en terre cuite émaillée d'époque Mid-Century (années 1950), réalisé par la céramiste Gabrielle Mackiewicz. Une pièce de collection au...
Ceramic
Pair of 18th Century French Patinated Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Dallas, TX
Cast in France during the 1700s, this pair of bronze candlesticks has a lovely patination, giving them a glossy brown color. The highly contoured and curved bases are mirrored by the...
Metal, Bronze
Neoclassic Bronze Candle Holders
Located in Tampa, FL
A very unusual and attractive pair of tapered French bronze candle holders. circa 1800s.
Bronze
Set of Four Lobmeyr Hand-Painted & Gilded Polychrome Enamel Candlesticks
By J.L Lobmeyr
Located in Great Barrington, MA
It is rare to find any candlesticks in this pattern, made by Lobmeyr but here is a set of four. Perfect for a large table, each one is hand blown crystal, panel cut and uniquely hand...
Crystal
Pair of 18th Century Italian Polychrome Sconces
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 18th century Italian polychrome sconces. Tall pair of antique Italian Neoclassical style carved wood polychrome sconces from Tuscany. These ...
Wood
19th C. Italian Baroque Hand-Carved Distressed Candlesticks Pair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 19th C. Italian Baroque style candlesticks that feature eleborate scrollwork, floral motifs, and a multi-tiered structure. Each candlestick has a wide, decorative base with ...
Wood, Paint
$4,295 / set
H 26.5 in W 9 in D 9 in
Pair of 19th Century French Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Candelabras
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 19th century French Louis XV style gilt bronze candelabras. Outstanding finely detailed pair of antique French Napoleon ...
Bronze
$3,530 / set
H 23.63 in W 8.67 in D 5.91 in
Set of Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces By Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
Set of Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces By Gherardo Degli Albizzi Beautifully cast in the traditional manner with all the sumptuous movement of the Rococo period, having three...
Bronze
19th Century French Pair of Louis XV Bronze Candle Holders
Located in New Orleans, LA
This elegant pair of 19th-century French bronze candle holders is inspired by the graceful curves and decorative refinement of the Louis XV...
Bronze
$12,450
H 29 in W 10.63 in D 9.75 in
Fine Pair French 19th C. Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze 6-Light Putto Candelabra Set
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Very Fine Pair of French 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Figural Six-Light Candelabra. The finely chased mercury gilt ormolu pair of candelabra, each depicting a standing ...
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair Antique French 19th Century Gilt Bronze Louis XV Style Candelabra
Located in New York, NY
A fine pair of antique French 19th century Louis XV style five light gilt bronze candelabra Beautiful antique French five light gilt bronze hand chiselled pair of Louis XV style can...
Bronze
19th century Louis XV style Bronze Candle Holder Mirror
Located in LEGNY, FR
Very nice and rare 19th century French Louis XV style bronze candle holder mirror. The mirrors is beveled. Flower decoration. Nice qualit...
Bronze
Sold
H 38 in W 14 in D 14 in
Pair of Mid 19th Century Italian Carved Polychrome and Painted Candlesticks
Located in Dallas, TX
Add an air of drama and elegance to your home with this important pair of antique candlesticks. Crafted in Italy circa 1860 and over 3 feet tall, each elegant candle holder stands on a sturdy triangle base decorated with hand carved angel faces over three paw feet with scroll decor. The carved stem is embellished with angel, bead, and acanthus leaf motifs throughout, and the top is dressed with a metal bobeche to catch any dripping wax. The detailed grand walnut religious pieces...
Wood
Sold
H 11 in W 7.5 in D 4 in
Pair French Louis XV Style Bronze Ormolu Mounted Porcelain and Tole Candlesticks
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Pair French Louis XV style bronze ormolu mounted porcelain and tole candlesticks. Antique lighting. Almost matching pair of antique 19th century glowing bronze ormolu and tole tab...
Bronze
Pair of White Marble Cassolettes, 19 Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A pair of white marble Cassolettes with ormolu decoration, Louis XVI style. Napoleon III period, late 19th century In perfect condition Measures: ...
Marble
Pair of 19th Century French Louis XV Bronze Dore Candle Holders
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1870, the antique candlesticks stand on a triangular base ending with scrolled feet. Each light is decorated with intricate floral and leaf motifs. The top is...
Bronze
Sold
H 20 in W 10 in D 10 in
19th Century French Louis XV Patinated Bronze Church Candle Holder Pic Cierge
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1870, the antique candlestick stands on a triangular base ending with scrolled feet. The light is decorated with intricate motifs including figures of God, th...
Bronze
Pair of Bronze Candleholders Louis XV Style, French 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
French decorative candle holder in the Louis XV style with acanthus leaves Solid bronze Good condition with nice patina Shipping 38/25/45 cm 6 kg.
Bronze
Rare Pair of Early 18th Century Bell Metal Candlesticks, France Circa 1710
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very handsome and rare pair of early 18th century bell metal candlesticks, both showing flaring stems with cushioned & faceted knops terminat...
Other
Mid-19th Century French Silver Plated Bronze Candleholder
Located in Dallas, TX
Created in France circa 1860, the elegant antique bronze candlestick stands on paw feet over a triangle base decorated with leaf medallions and shell decor. The tall and heavy candle...
Silver Plate, Bronze
Sold
H 10.24 in Dm 5.52 in
Pair of French 18th Century Brass Candlesticks Rare Decoration Free Shipping
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Pair of French Louis XV candlesticks having the original bobeches which are removable for cleaning. They are decorated with flowers, leav...
Brass
Pair of Late 19th Century French Bronze Doré Candelabras
Located in Dallas, TX
These antique French candleholders are made from a beautiful variegated onyx and gilt bronze. The upper sections are 5 stylized bronze doré floral branches acting as candle holders, ...
Onyx, Bronze
19th Century Gilt Bronze Pair of Candelabra in the Louis XV Manner
Located in London, GB
An important pair of candelabra in the Louis XV manner by Raingo Frères Constructed in a finely cast, chased and planished bronze ormolu; the serpentine form square bracket footed b...
Ormolu, Bronze