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.
Hand-Carved Stone Flower Baskets, Louis XIV Style, France, 1770
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
This pair of stone sculptures made in the mid-18th century represents a woven basket filled with flowers, fruits and plants. Among the element...
Stone
17th century Louis XIV Stone Garden Sculpture of Playing Children
Located in Troy, NY
Important and very charming stone group of children, one watching over his sleeping companion. Sculpted In the spirit of the "Marmousets" where, along the "Allee d'Eau", similar sto...
Limestone
Early 20th Century French Hand-Cast Stone Poodle Garden Sculpture
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
3-846 French hand cast garden poodle sculpture with glass eyes.
Cast Stone
$1,100Sale Price|50% Off
H 25 in W 9.75 in D 7.5 in
White Carrara Marble Torso of Goddess Stone Sculpture
Located in Somis, CA
A sculptural fragment of a female torso, finely carved in Carrara marble and mounted on a custom stone base, evoking the timeless beauty and idealized form of classical antiquity. Th...
Marble
Monumental Pair of Italian Carved Stone Obelisks
Located in Rome, IT
Pair of finely carved elegant stone obelisks on a square base. Timeless decoration for your garden or interior. Measurements, Obelisks - Height cm 210 ( 83 inches ) Bases- Height cm...
Stone
$1,250,000 / set
H 100.5 in W 36 in D 36 in
A Monumental Pair of French 19th Century Children Urns Torcheres Urn Sculptures
By René Rozet 1
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Monumental Museum Quality Pair of French 19th Century Figural Gilt and Patinated Bronze Rosso Granite Marble Flambeaux Urns Torcheres, each depicting a pair of standing allegorical and whimsical playful children (Putti) holding a flaming urn, by René Rozet...
Granite, Bronze
$2,250Sale Price / set|50% Off
H 16.5 in Dm 20 in
Monumental Pair of Antique Cast Stone Fruit and Flower Baskets
Located in Redding, CT
Monumental pair of antique cast stone fruit and flower baskets. Lovely aged patina to these beautiful detailed bouquets. These incredible garden ornam...
Stone, Cement
$32,250Sale Price|25% Off
H 36 in W 33 in D 14 in
Pair Carved Stone Figures Of Hunting Dogs Garden Antique Statuary Animal Lovers
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Pair Carved Stone Figures Of Hunting Dogs Garden Antique Statuary Animal Lovers . PRICED FOR THE PAIR. beautiful Chateau De Chasse hand carved stone dogs large size mounted on top ...
Stone, Limestone, Metal
$48,000 / set
H 54 in W 27.5 in D 27.5 in
Pair of Monumental Carved Stone Garden Fruit Basket from Famed Vouziers Mansion
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of unique monumental hand-carved stone garden fruit basket from famed Vouziers Mansion Florissant, Missouri. The French Country Chateau Vouziers was built in 1926 on a 250 acre estate for Magnet Joseph Desloge, part of the oldest French families in the USA. These Baskets were commissioned for the residence and imported from France. Each basket is unique and has it's own base. Stone has patina, appear to have been cleaned. Minor loss, see photos. Additional documentation is available. Limestone bases are 23.5" H x 27.5" W. Baskets are (need to measure). These were purchase from the estate of Joseph Desloge's daughter, Anne Desloge Werner Bates, and confirmed by her son and daughter that they were moved upon the sale of Vouziers in the 1970s to Anne's residence that was part of the Vouziers 250 acre estate. From Wikipedia : The Desloge Family /dəˈloʊʒ/, one of the oldest French families in United States, Missouri and St. Louis, rose to wealth through international commerce, sugar refining, oil...
Stone
$3,850
H 14.57 in W 19.3 in D 13 in
Large Carved Stone Sculpture, Agra Style, India, Circa 1500, 200 lbs
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
M/222 - Museal stone high relief Gandhara from India (actual Nord Pakistan): a very rare piece , mounted on a robust iron base. Ask Your architect where ...
Stone
$37,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 44.5 in W 16 in D 20 in
Pair 18th C. Hand Carved Marble Figures Lions Sculptures Garden Statues
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Pair 18th C. Carved Marble Terracotta Figures Lions Sculptures Garden Statues LA . Rare large Pair of early 18th century carved marble terracotta Figures of regal lions, holding an i...
Stone, Marble
$17,033
H 70.87 in W 25.6 in D 25.6 in
Italian Stone Garden Sculpture of Roman Mythological Subject Bacchus
Located in Rome, IT
Finely carved mythological roman subject of Bacchus or Dionysus in limestone. Excellent condition from an estate of Veneto. Measurements: Statue cm 180, base cm 85. Price is not inc...
Limestone
$5,460Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 48 in W 22 in D 15 in
Pair of Classical Cast Stone Four Seasons Garden Statues
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of antique four seasons statues. Solid stone. Woman holding a flame and woman holding grapes. The four seasons are an ancient decorative motif and became especially popular as...
Cast Stone
Early Stone Tiki Garden Statue on Base
By Tiki
Located in Ferndale, MI
Unique two piece garden statue. Tiki style form sits in stand. Most likely cast cement.
Cement
Collection of 3 Italian Carved Walnut Busts from the early 18th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
each figure carved as a bust raised on a socle, the figures dressed in capes
Walnut
Carved Limestone Bust of Louis XIV, Denmark circa 1920-40
Located in Round Top, TX
Carved limestone bust of Louis XIV. The worn patina reflects years of exposure outside in the elements, leaving an aged pitted patina heavily covered with lichen/stains throughout as...
Limestone