Louis XIV Dressers
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.
Late 17th Century French Antique Louis XIV Dressers
Wood
18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Dressers
Oak
19th Century Belgian Antique Louis XIV Dressers
Oak
1960s European Vintage Louis XIV Dressers
Carrara Marble, Brass
1680s Italian Antique Louis XIV Dressers
Walnut
1680s Italian Antique Louis XIV Dressers
Walnut
18th Century Italian Antique Louis XIV Dressers
Paint
1680s Italian Antique Louis XIV Dressers
Walnut
Late 17th Century Italian Antique Louis XIV Dressers
Wrought Iron
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Louis XIV Dressers
Brass
Late 18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Dressers
Bronze
1680s Italian Antique Louis XIV Dressers
Walnut
20th Century Unknown Louis XIV Dressers
Hardwood, Lacquer
1680s Italian Antique Louis XIV Dressers
Walnut
Mid-18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Dressers
Walnut, Oak
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Louis XIV Dressers
Walnut
Early 18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Dressers
Marble, Brass, Bronze
1680s Italian Antique Louis XIV Dressers
Walnut
Mid-18th Century English Antique Louis XIV Dressers
Oak
1980s Vintage Louis XIV Dressers
Ash, Burl, Wood
1980s American Vintage Louis XIV Dressers
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
20th Century French Louis XIV Dressers
Marble, Brass
Early 1900s French Antique Louis XIV Dressers
Marble, Bronze
20th Century Louis XIV Dressers
Faux Bamboo, Wicker
20th Century Louis XIV Dressers
Marble, Brass
19th Century English Antique Louis XIV Dressers
Pine
1880s English Antique Louis XIV Dressers
Wood
18th Century Antique Louis XIV Dressers
Bronze
Late 18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Dressers
Marble
20th Century American Louis XIV Dressers
Walnut
1950s Italian Vintage Louis XIV Dressers
Walnut
Late 20th Century American Louis XIV Dressers
Kingwood, Satinwood
1680s Italian Antique Louis XIV Dressers
Walnut
1680s Italian Antique Louis XIV Dressers
Walnut
Early 1700s Italian Antique Louis XIV Dressers
Walnut
Late 17th Century French Antique Louis XIV Dressers
Walnut
Late 20th Century Italian Louis XIV Dressers
Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Louis XIV Dressers
Wood
1720s Italian Antique Louis XIV Dressers
Walnut
1680s Italian Antique Louis XIV Dressers
Walnut
1710s Italian Antique Louis XIV Dressers
Walnut
20th Century French Louis XIV Dressers
Marble, Ormolu