Reflecting the final era of royal opulence before the upheaval of the French Revolution, antique Louis XVI furniture features more angular shapes than the Rococo curves of the Louis XV style, harkening back to the imposing grandeur of Louis XIV.
Dating between 1750 and 1800, an era that overlapped with the last king of France whose reign was cut short by the guillotine, Louis XVI furniture, known as the goût grec, is emblematic of the neoclassical revision that French furniture underwent during the second half of the 18th century.
Authentic Louis XVI furniture characteristics include clean lines and carved details such as scrolls and acanthus flourishes that were inspired by ancient Greece and Rome. This was informed by a burgeoning interest in antiquity in the 18th century, owing to new archaeological excavations at sites including Pompeii and Herculaneum. It largely eclipsed the more East Asian–influenced ornamentation of Louis XV for something more geometric and symmetrical.
The Louis XVI style was defined by what was being created for the palatial rooms at Versailles and Fontainebleau, particularly for the queen, with cabinetmaker Jean-Henri Riesener being a favorite of Marie-Antoinette’s for his luxurious pieces accented with gilded bronze and marquetry. Furniture maker Jean-Baptiste-Claude Sené was also a major designer of the period, with his pieces for the royal residences adorned with giltwood and neoclassical touches like tapered columns for chair legs and laurel leaf carvings. Cabinetmaker Adam Weisweiler occasionally incorporated into his furniture porcelain panels produced by Sèvres, a popular manufacturer of European ceramics that served the crown with serveware, vases and other decorative objects.
Find a collection of antique Louis XVI seating, tables, cabinets and other furniture on 1stDibs.
$1,196Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Sevres Biscuit Group of Three Frolicking Puttos
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th century Sevres biscuit group of three frolicking puttos France, Date Lettered 1884 A splendid example of 19th century Sevres biscuit porcelain...
Ceramic, Wood
Pair of 19th Century Limoges Monvoisin Porcelain Figurines
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a stunning pair of mid to late 19th century French Limoges Bisque porcelain figurines from circa 1870. One is of a lady in period dress/attire cradling a Dove. All hand-painted and decorated to the finest quality. The base is marked with the makers initials “C.H.”. She is made of fine bisque porcelain in the Old Paris porcelain style. The other is of a gentleman set...
Porcelain, Paint
Pair of 19th Century French Majolica/Fiance Models of Lions Perched on Stands
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of 19th century French Majolica/Fiance Models of Lions Perched on stands. Each is wonderfully hand painted in vibrant purple and blue colorways. The bases are green and each i...
Ceramic
Pair of French Sevres Style Bleu Céleste Porcelain Covered Urns, Early 20th Cent
Located in Madrid, ES
A refined pair of French Sevres style porcelain covered urns in the celebrated bleu céleste ground, dating from the early 20th century. Each urn is beautifully decorated with hand-p...
Ceramic
Pair of Antique Sevres Cabinet Plates Mounted as Wall Sconces
Located in Montreal, QC
A pair of antique two-light gilt bronze wall sconces each mounting a Sevres cabinet plate, one painted with Louis XVI , the other with Marie Anto...
Bronze
$3,637Sale Price|30% Off
Jacquot Pot in Polychrome Earthenware Big Fire, French Work, Mid-18th Century
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This Jacquot pot is made of polychromed earthenware big fire. This is a French work from the city of Lille. Mid-18th century.
Earthenware, Ceramic, Faience
Pair of French Rose Pompadour Sevres Style Porcelain and Ormolu Urns, Early 20th
Located in Madrid, ES
An elegant pair of French Sevres style covered urns in rose Pompadour porcelain with finely cast ormolu mounts, dating from the first half of the 20th century. Each urn is decorated...
Bronze
Antique 18th Century French Creamware Cruet Bottle Stand
Located in Litchfield, CT
Antique 18th century French creamware cruet bottle stand. Boat shaped tray with fine foliate handles and two pierced or reticulated guilloche round receptacles for glass bottles. Mea...
Creamware
$8,393Sale Price|20% Off
Mixed Clay Ewer with Classic Decoration and Swan Handle Grammont Factory Orleans
By Grammont Ainé
Located in Argenteuil, IDF
Rarely ewer in mixed clay from the Orleans factory of Grammont Ainé(1764-1832) End of the 18th century, around 1790 Very beautiful & rare zoomorphic ewer in earthenware mixed with ...
Ceramic
$716Sale Price|20% Off
H 9 in W 7 in D 4.5 in
19th Century English Diminutive Parian Bust of Apollo Belvedere
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th century English diminutive Parian bust of apollo Belvedere, a well executed example, raised on a 3-inch diameter solace base. Unmarked.
Ceramic
Pair of 19th Century Armorial Plates
Located in High Point, NC
Pair of lovely late 19th century armorial plates from England. The borders are decorated in brick red, gold, and navy. The border surrounds the central medallion which has a hand-p...
Ironstone
$2,260
H 11.82 in W 19.69 in D 11.82 in
Porcelain Figure Group of Venus and Muses Samson 19th Century, Sevres French
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Lantau, HK
Porcelain figure group of Venus coronation and muses Samson after the style of Sevres, hand painted pastel colors, beautifully detailed artwork 19th century, French Marked Sevres Di...
Porcelain
20th century Chinese Porcelain
Located in LEGNY, FR
Porcelain jar adorned with a royal “Versailles” crest and richly decorated with blue and gold floral motifs. It sits on a matching square base and features a finely detailed lid. Goo...
Porcelain
$195
H 5.5 in W 4 in D 2.75 in
English 19th Century Victorian Split Leg Staffordshire Dog with White Coat
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English Victorian period slit leg Staffordshire dog from the 19th century with textured coat and gilded collar. Created in England during the reign of Queen Victoria, this Staffor...
Pottery
$950
H 11 in Dm 14 in
Pair of Early 20th Century White Ceramic Chinese Vases Antique Decorative Pieces
Located in IT
This elegant pair of white ceramic Chinese vases, dating back to the early 20th century, embodies timeless craftsmanship and classic design. Their smooth white finish and simple yet ...
Ceramic
Fine 19th Century Italian Porcelain Parrot
By Capodimonte
Located in Norwood, NJ
Colorful and finely painted porcelain parrot in greens, yellows and blues, perched on realistic branch with leaves and berries. Bottom with crowned ...
Porcelain
Antique Pair French Bleu Celeste Sevres Urns 19th C
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful antique pair of French Sevres style porcelain and ormolu mounted twin handled urns, in the Louis XV manner, Circa 1870 in date. The bleu celeste...
Ormolu
19th Century Majolica Leaf Dish
Located in High Point, NC
19th century Majolica leaf dish from England with a lovely fern overlay on a bed of leaves. The white fern leaf is in stark contrast with the bed of green leaves underneath, and sur...
Ceramic
Delft - Blue and White Plaque with polychrome frame, mid 18th century
By Delft
Located in DELFT, NL
Delft blue and white wall plaque with integral polychrome self-frame, mid-18th century. The central decoration depicts an Oriental landscape with blossoming peonies, painted in coba...
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Pair of 19th Century "Satsuma" Vases
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Pair of 19th century Satsuma vases, Japan 19th century.
Ceramic
$245Sale Price|30% Off
H 0.75 in Dm 8.25 in
Antique Barbotine Majolica Ceramic Plate - France - Late 19th Century
By Barbotine
Located in Chatham, ON
Antique Barbotine majolica ceramic plate - medium size with crescent edge - hand painting featured over raised decoration of birds and flora - unsigned - France - late 19th century. ...
Ceramic
Pair of Vieux Paris Potpourri, 18th Century
Located in Doylestown, PA
A pair of Old Paris porcelain potpourri urns circa 1790 with original lids, hand painted with genre scenes depicting 18th century life, lion mask handles, gilt decoration and a pink ...
Porcelain
Sold
H 27 in W 22 in D 13 in
Earthenware Rabbit on Turtle, Attributed to Emile Galle, French, 19th Century
By Émile Gallé
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This earthenware is showing a rabbit on a turtle. This is a French work, attributed to famous designer and maker Emile Galle. Circa end of 19th century.
Earthenware, Ceramic, Faience, Pottery
Set of 4 French Strasbourg Faience Chargers with Flower Decor
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Two large French Faience dishes and two smaller from the city of Strasbourg in hand painted floral decoration. They are approximately from around...
Faience
Sold
H 10 in W 5 in D 0.25 in
Set of 5 Louis XVI Sèvres Style Handpainted Porcelain and Bronze Mounted Plaques
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres, Poitevin
Located in Toronto, ON
A fine set of Louis XVI Sèvres style hand painted porcelain and bronze plaques, signed E. Poitevin, circa 1890. This set includes 3 large plaques and 2 small plaques to be arranged i...
Porcelain
Collection of 5 Creil “Puzzle” Plates
Located in Doylestown, PA
A collection of 5 “word puzzle” plates in faience, from Creil et Montereau, France, late 18th-early 19th century.
Faience
Bust of a Woman in Terracotta
Located in Paris, FR
Terracotta bust of a young woman with a melancholy expression, dressed in 18th century clothing. Her hair, pulled back by a ribbon decorated with roses, frames a round and expressive...
Terracotta
Rare Early 19th Century Demitasse Coffee Set from Apt, France
By Apt
Located in Doylestown, PA
A rare demitasse set for eight in swirled brown and tan clay from the town of Apt in the south of France, early 19th century. This unique process involves the careful mixing of colored clays and finishing the result in a clear glaze. Superb condition. Set includes a large coffee pot...
Clay
Sold
H 16 in W 11 in D 5.75 in
Ormolu-Mounted Sevres Style Ruby Ground, Jeweled Three-Piece Clock Garniture
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in New York, NY
A very fine antique French ormolu-mounted Sevres style ruby ground, jeweled and enameled, three-piece clock garniture, each finely painted with Watteau scenes with lovers in landscap...
French Louis XVI Period Faience Lavabo
Located in Doylestown, PA
A charming Louis XVI period Faience Lavabo with flower basked decoration and a border in gold acanthus leaves with the original tin ice liner and brass ...
Faience
Pair of Louis XVI Style with Porcelain Medallion Sconces
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
. Porcelain medaillon . Louis XVI style . Gilt bronze . End of the 19th century
Bronze