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.
Onyx, Champlevé and Gilt Bronze Jewelry Box, Louis XV Style, France, circa 1890
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Onyx, champlevé and gilt bronze jewelry box. Louis XV style, France, circa 1890.
Onyx, Bronze
Pair of Gilt Bronze Lanterns, France, Late 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of gilt bronze lanterns. France, late 19th century.
Bronze
Gilt Bronze and Wood Table Clock, France, Late 19th Century
By Ecole Boulle
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Gilt bronze and wood table clock, France, late 19th century.
Bronze
Painted Porcelain, Crystal and Gilt Bronze Table Lamp. France, circa 1890
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Painted Porcelain, crystal and gilt bronze table lamp. France, circa 1890.
Crystal, Bronze
Gilt Bronze and Iron Andirons with Bird Figures, Louis XV Style, circa 1890
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Gilt bronze and iron andirons with bird figures. Louis XV style, circa 1890. With iron log holders behind.
Iron, Bronze
Gilt-Bronze and Cloisonné Garniture with Angels Figures, France, 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Gilt-bronze and cloisonné garniture with angels figures, France, 19th century.
Marble, Bronze, Enamel
Gilt Bronze Mounted Vitrine by François Linke, France, Circa 1900
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Louis XV style vitrine by François Linke (1855 - 1946) Made of gilt bronze mounted wood, with a violet breccia marble top, front and beveled glass pa...
Bronze
$1,559Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 9.65 in W 7.49 in D 16.54 in
Brushed Steel and Brass Andirons, circa 1950
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This pair of andirons is made of a convex brushed steel blade with a brass blade on its center. This is a French work, circa 1950.
Brass, Steel, Wrought Iron
$525Sale Price|24% Off
H 4.25 in W 9.5 in D 5.25 in
Gilt Heavy Bronze Repousse Rectangular Jewelry/Decorative Box
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a gilt bronze repousse rectangular jewelry/decorative box. It features in the top of the lid a scene of Don Quixote riding his horse at the sam...
Bronze
Bronze and Hand-Forged Iron Andirons
Located in Water Mill, NY
Rennaisance style bronze and hand-forged iron andirons with great patina.
Bronze
Clean Lined Brass and Iron Andirons
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean Lined Brass and Iron Andirons, American, circa 1950's. They have been hand polished and are ready to use.
Brass, Iron
$7,500
H 21 in W 13 in D 8 in
Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Parcel-Gilt and Biscuit Porcelain Clock
Located in Long Island City, NY
A beautifully design late 19th century gilt bronze mounted parcel-gilt and biscuit porcelain mantel (fireplace) clock The front carved with Apollo riding his chariot. The bottom wit...
Bronze, Ormolu
$19,500 / set
H 25 in W 17 in D 9 in
Nice Late 19th Century Gilt and Patinated Bronze Three Piece Clock Set
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Nice Late 19th Century Gilt and Patinated Bronze Three Piece Clock Set The heavily bronze mounted clock with three putti, bronze designs of flowers, birds and instruments, sitting...
Bronze, Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Gilt Metal Mantel Clock
Located in Cheshire, GB
Late 19th-century French gilt metal mantel clock, surmounted with a classical figure, opposing a white enamel Roman numeral drum dial striking on a ...
Metal
$9,600
H 15 in W 18.5 in D 5.5 in
Directoire Gilt-Bronze Marble Mounted Chariot Clock, Late 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine and delicate directoire style gilt-bronze marble mounted chariot clock. Exquisite bronze work depicting a winged charioteer guiding a pair of...
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Bronze Porch Lantern
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A fabulous large late 19th Century French Country House bronze porch lantern. Rewired and PAT tested to UK standards.
Brass, Bronze, Copper
French Etched Glass Globe Bell Jar Lantern, Chapel Lantern, Late 19th Century
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
One of kind antique hand blown clear etched glass three-light bell lantern with very elegant brass mounts, France, circa 1880-1890. The glass bowl and the upper glass plate are entir...
Brass
French Late 19th Century Onyx Champlevé Jewelry Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful onyx and gilt bronze champlevé enamel jewelry box in a chest design; made in France in the Late 19th Century, having a soft red velvet interior and impeccable hand-painted ...
Onyx, Bronze
Antique French Porcelain & Gilt Bronze Serves Style Scenic Vase Table Lamp
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique French Porcelain & Gilt Bronze Serves Style Scenic Vase Table Lamp Additional information: Materials: bronze, porcelain Color: bronze Styled After: Manufacture de Sevre...
Bronze
Boar Bronze & Iron Chenet Andirons / Fireplace Decoration
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
A 19th century French bronze gilt boar head. The boar with inlaid Glass eyes. D'ore (Gilt) bronze chenets, cast with the figure of a boar head. Boar Bronze...
Bronze, Iron