Antique French Louis XV style bedside cabinets and tables, with timber top

Louis XV (1710 – 1774), known as Louis the Well Beloved was a monarch of the House of Bourbon who ruled as King of France and Navarre from 1 September 1715 until his death in 1774. He succeeded his great-grandfather Louis XIV at the age of five, but until he reached maturity in 1723, his kingdom was ruled by Philippe II, Duke of Orléans, his first cousin twice removed, as Regent of France.

The Louis XV style of furniture is an exquisite and ornate design aesthetic that emerged during the mid-18th century. Also known as Rococo or Rocaille, this more... style marked a departure from the more formal and rigid designs of the preceding Louis XIV era, embracing a more playful, graceful, and lighthearted approach to furniture design.

Louis XV furniture is characterized by its delicate and curvaceous forms, asymmetrical compositions, and lavish ornamentation. The style drew inspiration from nature, incorporating organic motifs such as shells, flowers, leaves, and scrolls. Carving and gilding techniques were extensively used to enhance the visual appeal of the furniture.

One of the most distinctive features of Louis XV furniture is the cabriole leg. This leg design curves outward and then tapers inward in an elegant S-shape, terminating in either a scroll or a claw foot. The curvilinear lines of the cabriole leg were a departure from the straight, angular legs of earlier styles, adding a sense of movement and grace to the furniture.

Louis XV chairs often featured exposed wooden frames, intricately carved with rocaille motifs and scrolled armrests. Upholstery, typically made of rich fabrics like silk or velvet, was generously padded and adorned with tufting or ornamental nailhead trim. The chair backs were usually curved and offered a comfortable and enveloping shape.

Chests of drawers and commodes in the Louis XV style featured gracefully curved fronts and were often adorned with intricate marquetry, a decorative technique that involved inlaying various types of wood to create elaborate patterns or scenes. These pieces also commonly included serpentine-shaped fronts, showcasing the style's preference for organic, flowing lines.

Marble-topped tables were prevalent in the Louis XV style, often featuring sinuous forms and intricate detailing on the legs and aprons. Console tables, writing desks, and dressing tables were all crafted in the distinctive Louis XV aesthetic, incorporating delicate carving, elaborate marquetry, and gilded accents.

In terms of materials, the Louis XV style embraced luxurious and fine materials. Exotic woods such as walnut, rosewood, and mahogany were popular choices, and richly veined marble was used for tabletops. Gilt bronze, also known as ormolu, was extensively employed to add decorative elements and accents to the furniture.

The Louis XV style of furniture represents the height of the Rococo period, with its emphasis on elegance, ornamentation, and the pursuit of pleasure. Its graceful and whimsical designs continue to captivate enthusiasts of antique furniture and interior design, offering a timeless charm that reflects the luxurious tastes of the 18th-century French aristocracy. less...

Small cupboards, usually square or rectangular though sometimes round, designed to stand one on either side of a bed. They have been made since the 18th century, but true pairs are very difficult to find. In a genuine pair, the doors should be hinged on different sides, so that the cupboard opened away from the bedside. Small chests of drawers were also made as bedside pieces. Pairs of French bedside cupboards are much more common than English or Australian pairs, which even when part of a bedroom suite, were only made as singles. Most Victorian or Edwardian pairs of bedside more... cupboards that come on to the market, have been made up from the pedestals of pedestal dressing tables of the period, but due to demand the fact that they are not original does not diminish their value. less...