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.
$1,378Sale Price|50% Off
Louis XVI Showcase
Located in Porto, PT
Louis XVI display case. French, 20th century; Louis XVI style; made of mahogany wood and mahogany veneer. Curved front; interior lined with fabric. Dimensions: 160x79x46 cm
Wood
$1,034Sale Price|50% Off
Louis XVI corner display case
Located in Porto, PT
Louis XVI corner display case. French, 20th century; Louis XVI style; made of mahogany wood and mahogany veneer. Curved front; interior lined with fabric. Decorated with bronze appli...
Wood
$5,169Sale Price|50% Off
Louis XV style Display case - 19th century
Located in Porto, PT
Louis XV style display case - 19th century. French; 19th century; Louis XV style; marquetry of Noble Wood root placed in various directions; satinwood and boxwood; vase with flowers;...
Wood
20th Century Antique Louis XV Style Black Polished Salon Vitrine Cupboard
Located in Berlin, DE
Petite French vitrine in the style of Louis XV Rococo Piano black polished veneer on solid beechwood high-octagonal, one-armed, curved body, three-sided t...
Beech
20th Century Louis XV Style White Salon Vitrine
Located in Berlin, DE
Petite French vitrine in the style of Louis XV Rococo Piano white polished veneer on solid beechwood high-octagonal, one-armed, curved body, three-sided t...
Marble, Bronze
French Display Case Vitrine in the antique Louis XV Style beech veneer
Located in Berlin, DE
Plywood black polished veneer on solid softwood. High-rise, one-door, cambered and three-sided glazed body on high slanted, angled feet. Profiled cornice with marble top. Inside two ...
Beech
$42,500 / set
Louis XV Vernis Martin Grand Vitrines, a Pair
Located in Sarasota, FL
A stunning pair of French Louis XV style grand vitrines in the manner of Vernis Martin, circa 1900. Decorated with flame mahogany veneers, the vitrines are richly trimmed with gilt b...
Bronze
$17,201 / item
Louis XV Style Serpentine Fronted Display Cabinet
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th Century French Kingwood veneered serpentine fronted, marble topped vitrine. Having scrolling foliate gilded ormolu mounts, adjustable glass shelves with...
Ormolu
A Louis XV Style Giltwood Vitrine With Vernis Martin Panels
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
The lock stamped to the reverse 'DUVIVIER PARIS 77 FG-ST ANTOINE'. This rare vitrine is surmounted by a large and finely carved putto figure holding a torc...
Giltwood
20th Century Louis XV Style Piano-Black Corner Vitrine
Located in Berlin, DE
Petite French vitrine in the style of Louis XV Rococo Piano black polished veneer on solid beech. High-rise, one-armed, cambered body, three-sided to three-section, on high slanting...
Marble, Bronze
Théodore Millet - Cabinet Cartonnier Vitrine Louis XV Style
Located in Beaune, FR
Magnificent cabinet / showcase also acting as a cardboard box in the upper part signed "MILLET Paris". This piece of furniture is Louis XV style, in marqu...
Wood
Signed Linke Vitrine, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality 19th century Louis XV style kingwood vitrine, having the original marble top, classical ormolu mounts, bevelled glass, adjustable shelves. A Wedgwood plaque inset to t...
Ormolu
Marble Top French Ormolu Kingwood Inlaid Marquetry Vitrine Attributed To Linke
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Marble Top French Ormolu Kingwood Inlaid Marquetry Vitrine Attributed To Linke Dimensions : 55" Wide X 47" Tall X 16" Deep This gorgeous vitrine was made in the 19th century in Fra...
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Sedan Style Vitrine
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An unusual French 19th century kingwood, vernis martin vitrine in the style of a Sedan chair. Having serpentine glass to the front and sides. Bombe fronted painted panels, ormolu mou...
Kingwood
French 19th Century Louis XV St. Tulipwood, Kingwood, Ormolu And Marble Vitrine
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 19th century Louis XV st. Tulipwood, Kingwood, Ormolu and Brèche Violette marble cabinet/vitrine. The stunning three door cabinet is raised on a scalloped base with...
Marble, Ormolu