French Aesthetic: How The Royal Reigns of King Louis XIV, XV & XVI Influenced Furniture Design
- arrowsmithantiques
- Jun 6
- 3 min read
The reigns of King Louis XIV, King Louis XV, and King Louis XVI had a significant impact on French furniture of their eras. Their influence can also be seen in design post date of their royal reigns, and even in contemporary trends. This impact extends to furniture, lighting, and interior décor.
King Louis XIV (1643 - 1715)
King Louis XIV, also known as The Sun King, was born in 1638 and was the king who initiated the grand expansion of the Palace of Versailles which became the main residence of the French court.
During his royal reign, new furniture designs were seen like commodes (chest of drawers), sofas with padding on the back, console tables with marble tops and Mazarin desks. Marquetry work, exotic woods and metals were inlaid into furniture and clocks, and gilded bronze was favoured by this king. Andre Charles Boulle began making furniture, clocks and lighting for King Louis XIV to furnish the Palace of Versailles.
King Louis XV (1715 - 1774)
Born in 1710 and becoming King in 1715 at the age of 5, Louis XV did not ascend to the throne until he reached maturity in 1723 at the age of 13. The Louis XV and Rococo design aesthetic is easily recognisable, characterised by the frequent use of curved cabriole legs and serpentine shapes.
Ornate gilt bronze mounts adorned furniture and clocks, and there was an addition of busts and scrolling foliate mounts used to decorate the corners of legs.
'Rocaille' was the term used for opulent and exuberant decoration. Entwined leaves, shells, scrolls and floral garlands featured in interior architecture and furniture. This design was free flowing and not constrained by symmetry.
Above are all examples of the Louis XV style
Left - French boulle table standing on tapering cabriole legs with mounts to the corner of the legs
Middle - Classic Louis XV curved shaped can be seen, with shells and scrolling leaf design
Right - Serpentine shaped chest of drawers adorned with free flowing gilt bronze mounts
King Louis XVI (1774 - 1792)
Born in 1754 and ascending to the throne in 1774 after the death of his grandfather King Louis XV, Louis-Auguste was the last king before the fall of the monarchy during the French Revolution.
Furniture design transitioned during Louis XVI reign, who favoured more elegant forms and Neoclassical styles. Symmetry, straight lines and tapered legs with fluting, and mouldings incorporating nature like acanthus leaves and laurel leaves featured in his design era. Gilt bronze ormolu mounts adorned mahogany furniture, and beading and gadroon moulding were also popular.
Above are all examples of the Louis XVI style
Left - A well proportioned mahogany vitrine with tapered legs and fluting to the columns
Middle - A pair of marble lamps adorned with elegant swan handles and laurel leaf moulding
Right - A chest of drawers standing on turned tapered fluted legs
The influence of King Louis XIV, XV & XVI after the French Revolution
Following the French Revolution, the styles of all three Kings continued to be popular throughout the 19th century. Skilled craftsmen produced beautiful furniture, clocks, and lighting, drawing on the design aesthetics of the earlier royal reigns. Mathieu Befort, Maison Millet, and Paul Sormani were just some of the names of makers who were producing high quality furniture in the Louis styles during the 19th century.
We stock a large quantity of French furniture, clocks and lightings which can all viewed and purchased.
