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.
19th Century Louis XV Style French Buffet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elegant French hutch-style bar table featuring finely detailed ornamentation and a graceful, structured design. The piece includes a functional locking mechanism with original key, c...
Walnut, Wood
$2,400Sale Price|33% Off
20th Century Louis XV Style French Country Bar Cabinet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A mid 20th century French bar cabinet in the style of Louis XV. A rustic bleached oak finish. Two outer cabinets conceal inner shelving. Three center drawers sit below a fold down bar cabinet...
Oak
$2,962Sale Price|25% Off
French Louis XV Bar Cabinet Buffet Sideboard
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Marble, Bronze
Gorgeous French Walnut Parquetry Drinks Cocktail Bar Cabinet Cupboard
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this Gorgeous Parquetry French drinks dry cabinet. A very well-made French cabinet made from walnut. The panels were made with parquetry, making...
Walnut
A Fine Small French Art Deco Walnut Bar
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Fine French Art Deco small bar with a drop front sunburst walnut veneered door and glass handles.
Glass, Walnut
19th C. French Louis XV Style Vitrine
Located in Houston, US
19th C. French Louis XV style hand carved vitrine in oak with original glass. Hand carved decorations indicative of the Louis XV style along with cabrio...
Glass, Oak
$2,980
H 43.75 in W 25.75 in D 20.5 in
Vintage French Oak Flip-Top Confiturier, Cabinet, Cupboard or Dry Sink, or Bar
Located in Highwood, IL
Endless possibilities abound in this special French Confiturier, Small Cupboard. Constructed of solid oak with raised panels, a full door hinge, and a wonderful flip open top, give t...
Oak
$6,411
H 49.61 in W 53.15 in D 13 in
Antique 20th-Century French Art Deco Mahogany Veneered Display or Bar Cabinet
Located in Casteren, NL
This beautiful French Art Deco bar cabinet was made in mid-France in the early 20th century circa 1925. It features a strong geometric design that is typical for art deco furniture. ...
Fabric, Mahogany
$3,982Sale Price|20% Off
H 51.19 in W 39.38 in D 17.72 in
Art Deco Bar Cabinet, Lemonwood, French Geometric Design
Located in Valladolid, ES
One of a kind Art Deco bar cabinet made in France around 1940. It displays exquisite craftsmanship in both design and materials. The simple design is influenced by the polygonal for...
Wood, Fruitwood, Rosewood
French Art Deco Bar Cabinet Circa 1950’s
Located in North York, ON
This beautiful French Art Deco bar cabinet from the 1950’s is an elegant piece of furniture that is sure to be the focal point of any room....
Metal
English Cocktail Bar or Drinks Cabinet from the Art Deco Era
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English upright cocktail dry bar cabinet or drinks cupboard - from the Art Deco Period - featuring a handsome burr walnut veneer with a mirrored serving area for spirits. Thi...
Metal
$2,880Sale Price|20% Off
H 81.5 in W 48 in D 22.25 in
19th Century Louis XV Style Hand-Painted Buffet à Deux Corps, France
Located in Atlanta, GA
Exquisite 19th-century Louis XVI-style Buffet à Deux Corps is a true statement piece. Crafted with classic French sophistication, the two-piece cabinet features a beautifully hand-pa...
Wood
19th Century French Counter
Located in Haywards Heath, GB
French 19th Century shop counter in original paint. With one drawer.
Pine
1950s French Bar Cabinet in Solid Elm
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bar cabinet, elm, France, 1950s. This multifunctional cabinet is of French origin and embraces naturalistic forms combined with bold accents. The elmwood material has an incredibly ...
Velvet, Elm
19th Century French Louis XV Style Oak Buffet with Elegant Design
Located in High Point, NC
This elegant 19th Century French Louis XV style oak buffet reflects the graceful curves and refined detailing characteristic of the period. Crafted from solid oak, the piece displays...
Oak
$8,750
H 97.5 in W 53 in D 23 in
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Buffet Cupboard or Bar Cabinet in French Walnut
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A beautiful late 19th or early 20th century Art Nouveau buffet with the quintessential organic motifs that exemplify the Art Nouveau movement, including carved cyma curves, and flor...
Walnut
Sold
H 37 in W 52 in D 21 in
French Louis XV Vernis Martin Painted Marble Top Lighted Bar Cabinet Commode
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a beautiful French commode that was professionally convertedinto a bar with a mirrored back inside and lighting to display your favorite liquors and aperitifs. The commode fe...
Marble
French Louis XV Style Ormolu Mounted with Marble Top Dry Bar Cabinet
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Offering one of our recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture acquisitions of a French Louis XV style dry bar cabinet server with Italian custom cut marble top and mounted gilt bronze ...
Marble, Bronze
Ornately Carved French Silverware Cabinet Credenza Chest Dry Bar
Located in West Hartford, CT
Antique ornately carved oak and fruitwood and oak silverware cabinet featuring five felt covered shelves that are approximately six inches apart fr...
Felt, Fruitwood, Oak
Sold
H 34 in W 43 in D 13 in
19th Century, French, Louis XV Wine Bottle Storage Cabinet Buffet from Bordeaux
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate your wine cellar, breakfast room or kitchen with this beautiful, antique cabinet from the Southwest region of France. The unique buffet with top...
Pine
Sold
H 40 in W 40 in D 17 in
Louis XV Style Rosewood Drinks Cabinet with Inlaid Marquetry English, circa 1920
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Louis XVI style rosewood bowfront drinks cabinet/center cabinet with inlaid marquetry and bronze ormolu mounts, inlaid parquetry and satinwood stringing to sides, a single frieze dra...
Wood
Antique French Inlaid Marquetry Drinks Cabinet
Located in London, GB
Antique French style Kingwood drinks cabinet with some stunning floral marquetry on the front section. It has a pull down flap which shows a fabulous interior with mirror strips o...
Kingwood
French Louis XV Style Mirrored Satinwood Liquor Cabinet Martini Bar
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a superb carved French satinwood and gilt wood martini bar. Look inside and notice the incredible mirrored shelves and interior. The piece is absolutely perfect for setting u...
Mirror, Satinwood, Giltwood
Antique French Parquetry Cocktail Drinks Cabinet
Located in London, GB
Antique French mahogany & kingwood drinks cabinet with a parquetry finished top section. It's in good original condition & has just been French polished. The two doors have oval pane...
Kingwood
Sold
H 42.75 in W 84 in D 26 in
French Louis XV Style Bar Counter and Pair of Cane Swivel Bar Stool Chairs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage, custom quality, Louis XV / French country style parquetry top bar with pair of caned back swivel stools. The large and impressive bar features an inlaid herringbone parquetr...
Brass, Copper
Sold
H 57.09 in W 50.01 in D 21.26 in
Mid-20th Century Superb Burr Walnut and Kingwood Cocktail Cabinet
Located in London, GB
This is a superb large French Louis XV revival burr walnut and kingwood ormolu-mounted cocktail cabinet, mid-20th century in date. Adding to its truly unique character it has bee...
Ormolu
Antique Wine Bottle Holder Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique wine bottles holder cabinet from the Poitou region of France. A great accent piece for a wine cellar, a den or a kitchen. Restored.
Louis XV Style Marble-Top Chevet
Located in Birmingham, AL
Fine Louis XV style walnut night stand/side table. Serpentine moulded top fitted with original rouge marble. A lovely form, well crafted with a single dovetailed drawer and door. Rai...
Marble