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.
$792Sale Price|20% Off
'De Grieksche A', Pieter Kocx - Dutch Delft plate with flower basket
Located in DELFT, NL
Beautiful 18th century Dutch Delft plate, made by Pieter Kocx, owner of 'De Grieksche A', 1701-1722. This decor with a flower basket and flying birds was very beloved and mostly kno...
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Delft - Blue and white plate with floral decoration - 18th century
By Delft
Located in DELFT, NL
Delft faience plate with blue decoration of a central flower arrangement. The border with stylized flowers in cartouches and a diaperwork. Very good condition: usual wear and some ...
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
$11,600Sale Price|20% Off
Monumental 18th Century French Blue & White Moustiers Faïence Charger, Clérissy
Located in Miami, FL
Important 18th Century French Moustiers Faïence Charger, Clérissy Workshop, “C.V.” Mark Monumental 18th Century French Blue and White Moustiers Faïence Charger, Clérissy Workshop 18t...
Ceramic, Faience
Antique Porquier Beau French Faience Pottery Cruet Set with Base, Ewers & Lids
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine antique French Porquier Beau faience cruet stand. Complete with the original base, ewers or small pitchers, and conforming lids. Decorated ...
Delft, Faience
Pair of 18th Century Dutch Delft Faience Floral Plates
Located in Pearland, TX
A gorgeous pair of antique 18th-Century Dutch Delft faience flower garden plates. These lovely plates have a hand painted floral and foliate design in vibrant cobalt blue and white. ...
Faience
$515
H 6.5 in W 9 in D 3.25 in
19th Century French Quimper Faience Double-Spout Oil Cruet by Porquier-Beau
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a kitchen counter, open shelf, or dining display with this elegant antique Quimper faience double oil cruet, crafted in Brittany, France circa 1895 by Porquier-Beau. The con...
Faience
$975
H 2.75 in W 12 in D 10.5 in
19th Century French Painted Faience Porquier Beau Quimper Wall Bowl / Vide-Poche
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a kitchen wall or a shelf with this elegant antique bowl. Created by Porquier Beau in Quimper, France circa 1880, the large hand-painted ceramic piece depicts two men and a ...
Faience
$4,080 / set
H 11.82 in W 4.73 in D 3.15 in
18th Century Dutch Delft Earthenware Vases Pieter van den Briel’t Fortuyn
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Two 18th century delft earthenware vases signed VB (Pieter van den Briel 't Fortuyn, 1753-1759) In original condition, no restorations as you can see on the photo's. VB mark : Van ...
Earthenware
$1,165
H 6.9 in W 6.9 in D 1.2 in
18th Century Delft Tiles Blue White Sea Creatures Monsters Delft Tiles set of 4
By AK Dutch Delftware, Royal Delft, Delft
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
17th - 18th century Dutch Delft Tiles - set of 4 Oak framed blue and white tiles. Depicting seacreatures, sea monster, fish Design: In the manner of Royal Delft, AK Dutch Delftware Style, Antique, Baroque, Louis XIV, 17th century / 18th century Description: a set of 4 Dutch Delft blue and white tiles oak framed . A painting on Delft Tiles composed 6 tiles. It is fully handpaited and depicting seacreatures. All tiles are framed in oak. Colors: Camaieu blue...
Delft, Oak
18th Century Pair English Blue And White Delft Plates
By Delft
Located in Basildon, GB
18th Century Pair English Blue And White Delft Plates, circa 1770, depicting scene of a lady on a bank pointing to a ruined arch with a shepherd with...
Delft
18th Century Hand Painted Dutch Delft Platter
Located in Richmond, VA
18th century hand painted Dutch delft platter- 14” diameter. Rich dark blue hand painted flower pattern.
Delft
18th Century Dutch Delft Faience Peacock Bird Scalloped Charger
By De Klaauw
Located in Pearland, TX
A superb antique 18th-Century Dutch Delft faience peacock bird charger by De Klaauw (The Claw) Delftware factory, circa 1780. Signed on reverse. This exq...
Faience, Delft
18th-19th century Hand Painted Delft Platter
Located in Richmond, VA
18th-19th century hand painted Delft platter, 12 1/8” diameter.
Delft
19th Century French Faience Decorative Plate
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French faience charger or platter with typical hand painted burgundy floral decoration from St Clement in the East of France. Minor glaze loss. Old brass plate hanger...
Faience
$2,178
H 14.57 in W 9.06 in D 6.3 in
Delft Style Bacchus Serpent Handled Blue & White Vase Late 18th Century
By Delft
Located in Hastings, GB
A stunning Delft style vase, late eighteenth century and most likely French faience ware, possibly from the Saint-Omer factory. Beautifully modeled, featuring twin heads of the Roman...
Ceramic
Antique French Moustiers Faience Plate with Floral Bouquets - 18th century
By Moustiers
Located in DELFT, NL
A fine 18th-century French faience plate from Moustiers, hand-painted in a vibrant polychrome palette. The center is decorated with four elegant bouquets of stylized flowers in manga...
Earthenware, Faience, Maiolica
Delft - Pair of dishes - 18th century
By Delft
Located in DELFT, NL
Excellent pair of mid 18th century Delftware plates with a rare geometrical decoration of a stylized flower with foliate scrolls. Border adorn...
Earthenware, Delft, Faience