Reflecting the final era of royal opulence before the upheaval of the French Revolution, antique Louis XVI furniture features more angular shapes than the Rococo curves of the Louis XV style, harkening back to the imposing grandeur of Louis XIV.
Dating between 1750 and 1800, an era that overlapped with the last king of France whose reign was cut short by the guillotine, Louis XVI furniture, known as the goût grec, is emblematic of the neoclassical revision that French furniture underwent during the second half of the 18th century.
Authentic Louis XVI furniture characteristics include clean lines and carved details such as scrolls and acanthus flourishes that were inspired by ancient Greece and Rome. This was informed by a burgeoning interest in antiquity in the 18th century, owing to new archaeological excavations at sites including Pompeii and Herculaneum. It largely eclipsed the more East Asian–influenced ornamentation of Louis XV for something more geometric and symmetrical.
The Louis XVI style was defined by what was being created for the palatial rooms at Versailles and Fontainebleau, particularly for the queen, with cabinetmaker Jean-Henri Riesener being a favorite of Marie-Antoinette’s for his luxurious pieces accented with gilded bronze and marquetry. Furniture maker Jean-Baptiste-Claude Sené was also a major designer of the period, with his pieces for the royal residences adorned with giltwood and neoclassical touches like tapered columns for chair legs and laurel leaf carvings. Cabinetmaker Adam Weisweiler occasionally incorporated into his furniture porcelain panels produced by Sèvres, a popular manufacturer of European ceramics that served the crown with serveware, vases and other decorative objects.
Find a collection of antique Louis XVI seating, tables, cabinets and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Christofle (Cardeilhac) - 121pc. Antique French Sterling Silver Flatware Set
By Amelie Cardeilhac, Christofle Cardeilhac 1
Located in Wilmington, DE
Direct from Paris, a magnificent 121pc. antique French sterling silver flatware set by one of France’s premier silversmiths “Amelie Card...
Sterling Silver
Lapparra - 220pcs. French 950 Sterling Silver Flatware Set, 19 Serving Pieces +
Located in Wilmington, DE
Direct from France: Direct from a Private Villa in St. Tropez, A Magnificent 220pc. Louis XVI French 950 Sterling Silver Flatware Set by Henri Lapparra, "Silversmith to the French E...
Vermeil, Sterling Silver
Puiforcat (Hermes) - 306 pcs. Antique French Sterling Silver Flatware Set !
Located in Wilmington, DE
Direct from Paris: A magnificent antique French 950 sterling silver flatware set by Frances Premier Silversmiths “Puiforcat”, currently owned by Hermes. A gorgeous service for 24 which includes additional Mother-of-Pearl handled dessert and cheese knives, 4 salt cellars with serving spoons and custom-made storage chest, 306 pieces in total – circa late 1800s. The annals of French decorative arts reserve a distinguished chapter for the House of Puiforcat, a name that has become synonymous with the pinnacle of silversmithing excellence since its establishment in 1820. This Parisian firm emerged during a golden age of French craftsmanship, when the demand for luxury tableware among aristocracy and haute bourgeoisie created fertile ground for artistic innovation. Puiforcat distinguished itself through an uncompromising commitment to quality, most notably through its pioneering use of 950 sterling silver, a purer alloy than the conventional 925 standard. The firm's flatware sets, particularly those featuring the elegant filet and laurel garlands motifs, like this stunning set, represent not merely functional tableware but veritable works of art that continue to command admiration and premium prices in the collector's market. The Early Years: The Puiforcat story begins with Jean-Baptiste Fuchs, who established his silversmith workshop in Paris in 1820 before adopting his mother's surname, Puiforcat. This nominal change marked the beginning of a family dynasty that would dominate French luxury silverware production for generations. The firm initially specialized in ecclesiastical silver and ceremonial objects, but under Jean Puiforcat's leadership during the mid-19th century, it transitioned decisively into the production of luxury flatware...
Silver
Puiforcat (Hermes) - 288pc. Antique French Sterling Silver Flatware Set, Vauban
Located in Wilmington, DE
Direct from Paris: Direct from a private mansion in Paris, a magnificent 288 pc. (service for 24) antique French sterling silver flatwa...
Silver
Louis XVI Sterling Silver Gilt Canteen In Louis XV Ormolu Kingwood Vitrine 105pc
By Cardeilhac, Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener
Located in Germantown, MD
French Louis XVI Style Crested Gilt-Silver Assembled Flat Table Service in a Louis XV Style Ormolu Mounted Kingwood Fitted Vitrine cabinet. Enjoy one the greatest combination of top ...
Sterling Silver, Ormolu
Puiforcat (Hermes) & Cardeilhac (Christofle): 182-piece Sterling Flatware Set
By Christofle Cardeilhac 1, Puiforcat
Located in Wilmington, DE
Direct from Paris: A stunning 182-piece antique sterling silver flatware set by two of France’s premier silversmiths “Puiforcat”, currently owned b...
Vermeil, Sterling Silver
$9,272Sale Price|25% Off
19th Century Silver and Cut-Crystal Jardinière
Located in Paris, FR
Silver jardinière composed of a cut-crystal, oval bowl resting in a silver frame. The scalloped edge of the crystal bowl is decorated with radiating and diamond-shaped patterns. The silver frame is richly decorated with openwork ribbons, Greek waves...
Crystal, Silver
Pair of Sterling Silver and Cut Crystal Salt Cellars
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An exquisite pair of Louis XVI-style cauldron-shaped, sterling silver salt cellars, finely decorated with swags and motifs of asparagus and laurel wreaths. Dating from around the t...
Crystal, Silver
Picture Frame Silver Enamel with edges and frieze in Louis XVI style Salimbeni
By Giorgio Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular table frame in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fire enamel on guilloché with edges and frieze in French Empire Louis XVI style. External cm. 16 x 23...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Photo Frame Two-Tone Fired Enamel on Guillochè Louis XVI Style Sterling Silver S
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Large shaped photo frame in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent two-tone fired enamel on guillochè and with various ornaments in Louis XVI French Empire style and 4...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Picture Frame Silver Green Enameled with very fine hand engraving Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Giorgio Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular photoframe in gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent fired enamel on a guilloché pattern embellished with a very fine hand engraving. External border in Fr...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Picture frame green enamel and borders in the French Empire Louis XVI style
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular shaped photo frame in gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent fired enamel on guilloché with borders in the French Empire Louis XVI style. External dimensio...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Puiforcat (Hermes) - 70pc. Antique French Sterling Silver Flatware Set + Chests
By Puiforcat
Located in Wilmington, DE
Direct from Paris: A stunning 70pc. antique French 19th century sterling silver flatware set by France’s premier silversmith “Puiforcat”, currently owned by Hermes, in excellent cond...
Sterling Silver
Photo Frame Triptych hinged shaped frame for 3 photographs Blue Enamel Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Giorgio Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Triptych hinged shaped frame for 3 photographs in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guillochè with borders and ornaments in French Louis XVI Empi...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Lapparra - 204pcs. Antique Louis XV French 950 Sterling Silver Flatware Set
Located in Wilmington, DE
Direct from St Tropez: Direct from a private villa in St. Tropez, a magnificent 204pc. Louis XVI French 950 sterling silver flatware set by Henri Lapparra, includes a magnificent 5-...
Vermeil, Sterling Silver
Frame for Oval Photo Borders in Louis XVI French Empire Style Enamel Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular table frame for oval photo in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent two-tone fired enamels on guillochè and with various ornamen...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Picture Frame Louis XVI Green and sky blue, French Empire style Sterling Silver
By Salimbeni, Giorgio Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
This stunning Picture Frame is in 925/1000 sterling silver. Picture Frame Louis XVI has a squared shape with green and sky blue color for the fire enameled surface on guilloche and h...
Gold Plate, Enamel, Sterling Silver
$3,440Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 36 French Gold-Plated Flatware with Mother-of-Pearl Handles, Original Box
Located in Miami, FL
Set of 36 French Gold-Plated Flatware with Mother-of-Pearl Handles, in Original Box, Set of 36 French Antique Dessert Forks & Knives, Oyster Fork Set with Gold Ferrules An exqui...
Gold Plate
Goldsmith Tétard - Above All Oval Table In Solid Silver XIXth
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
The scalloped centerpiece, with a mirror bottom on an oak parquet floor, is surrounded by a solid silver ingot mold decorated with strong nets and staples. The center rests on six sc...
Sterling Silver
Savary & Fils: 182pc. French 950 Sterling Silver Flatware Set, 26 Svg. Pcs. 1880
Located in Wilmington, DE
Direct from Paris: A magnificent 182pc. Louis XVI, 950 sterling silver flatware set by French silversmith Savary & Fils "Silversmith to the Kings and Queens of Europe". Includes...
Vermeil, Sterling Silver
Henin - 138pc. Antique Louis XVI French 950 Sterling Silver Flatware Set !
Located in Wilmington, DE
Direct from a Private Chateau in France, A Stunning 138pc. Privately Commissioned Louis XVI Sterling Silver Flatware Set (Service for 12) with 6 Serving Pieces by Internationally Kno...
Sterling Silver
Boin-Taburet: 282pc. French Sterling Silver Flatware Set, 18 Svg. Pcs. + Chest!
By Boin-Taburet
Located in Wilmington, DE
Direct from Paris, a stunning 282pc. antique French sterling silver flatware set by internationally known French silversmith Boin- Taburet, in excellent condition and complete with 1...
Silver
Picture Frame Silver Enameled on guilloche with feet for oval photo Salimbeni
By Giorgio Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular table frame with feet for oval photo cm. 5.5 x 8.5 in gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent fired enamels on guilloché, with borders and ornaments in the ...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Set of Sterling Silver Petit Fours Cutlery, 19th Century
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An ornate boxed set of silver cutlery for the serving of desserts or petits fours, comprising a three-pronged fork and a flat-edged spoon. Highly decorative, they date from the late ...
Sterling Silver
Danish Silver Tea Pot by Bendix Gijsen, Copenhagen, Louis XVI Period, Dated 1799
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
The period Copenhagen made Louis XVI silver pot has an amazing oval shape with ebony handle and finial, topped of with silver tip. The tea pot is clearly struck hallmarks on the bas...
Silver
Photo Frame Bordeaux Enamel Empire style ornaments Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Shaped oval photo frame in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guillochè and Louis XVI French Empire style ornaments. External dimensions cm. 13.5 x...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
French LXVI Silver Serving Set Oil Vinegar Old Man’s Silver Hallmark
Located in Miami, FL
Exquisite set of oil and Vinegar LXVI Silver and cristal. Neo classic design animal and winged children figure chiseled in a very delicate way. The central part with draperies arou...
Silver
Louis XVI Silver Vermeil Beaker
Located in New York, NY
Louis XVI silver vermeil beaker. France, late 18th century. Dimensions: 3.5" diameter x 3.63" height.
Vermeil, Sterling Silver
Sterling silver cutlery set for a child by Puiforcat
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A fine sterling silver cutlery set for a child composed of a fork and a spoon by French silversmith Emile Puiforcat. Chic Louis XVI style pattern : elegant and sober shape, laurels f...
Sterling Silver
Small French Silver-Gilt Chocolate Pot by Boin-Taburet, 1880s
By Boin-Taburet
Located in BARCELONA, ES
BOIN–TABURET French, active Paris, 1873–circa 1905 CHOCOLATE POT c. 1880 Silver plate and wood The smaller scale of this vessel indicates that its use was likely for chocolate not...
Silver
Salimbeni Pillbox Shaped with Hand-Painted Miniature in Louis XVI Style
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
A captivating piece of Florentine craftsmanship, this shaped pillbox is crafted from gilded 925/1000 silver. It features a meticulously hand-painted miniature in the refined Louis XV...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Picture Frame for oval photos enamel Guilloche Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Giorgio Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular table frame for oval photos cm. 3 x 4 in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel, plum purple, on guilloche, with French Empire Louis XVI style...
Gold, Enamel, Sterling Silver, Gold Plate
Photo Frame Red Enamel Guillochè and Hand Engravings Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Shaped oval photo frame in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on sunburst guillochè and Louis XVI French Empire style ornaments. External dimensions c...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Table Box Green in French Empire Louis XVI style Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Table Box Green in French Empire Louis XVI style Sterling Silver Salimbeni. Table box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel inserted in a very fine ha...
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Table Box Squared Green Enamel with oval miniature Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Square table box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamels on sunburst guillochè and Louis XVI French Empire style ornaments. External measurements cm. 12 x 12 x 2.5. Weight gr. 636- Fine oval miniature cm. 3.2 x 4.2 hand painted in tempera on a vegetable ivory plate by the painter Anna Maria Manfriani reproducing a portrait of a Flemish lady...
Gold, Enamel, Sterling Silver, Gold Plate
20th Century Sterling Silver Italian Entree with Dish
Located in VALENZA, IT
Elegant hand made sterling silver entree with dish The welded edge with Reed & Ribbon characterizes the Classic Luis XVI style. The Louis XVI-era Reed & Ribbon collection features ...
Sterling Silver
Liège Silver Oil And Vinegar Set, 18th Century, Jean-baptiste Dehaye, 1772
Located in Bilzen, BE
"Liège Silver Oil And Vinegar Set From The 18th Century, Jean-baptiste Dehaye, 1772" Fine 18th-century oil and vinegar stand in solid silver and cut crystal, made in Liège in 1772, f...
Silver
Set of Four Louis XVI Style Silver Candelabra by André Aucoc
By A. Aucoc
Located in London, GB
This beautiful set of four candelabra (or candlesticks) was made around 1900 by André Aucoc, a leading French silversmith of the time. Aucoc inherited the ...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Goldsmith Christofle - Planter In Silver Bronze XIXth Century
By Christofle
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Rectangular silver bronze planter resting at the four corners on four pilasters decorated with masks and grooves. The perimeter decorated with a low frieze with ribbon and a high fri...
Sterling Silver
A. Aucoc - Surtout Table In Three Parts Sterling Silver L. XVI - Nineteenth
By A. Aucoc
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Mainly table in three parts with a background of mirrors, on an oak parquet floor, surrounded by a large solid silver ingot mold decorated with a frieze of laurels and garlands in th...
Sterling Silver