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2. Meet the French Royal Style: Louis XIV

2. Meet the French Royal Style: Louis XIV

Did you know that Louis XVI was a huge lock-picking expert? Louis XV’s favourite animal was his white angora cat, while his mistress Madame de Pompadour (whose name rhymes with amour) kept chickens in the gardens of Versailles. Get to know the quirky characters of the French Royals, Emperors and rulers that inspired many of the beautiful styles that you find in our store!

Louis XIV didn’t just dislike Paris—he ghosted it. Rather than suffer the noise and rebellion of the city, he built himself a stage fit for a god: Versailles. There, he twirled through ballets as Apollo, the Sun God, proudly flaunting his impeccably toned dancer’s legs—rumour has it he commissioned full-length portraits just to show them off.

Article: 2. Meet the French Royal Style: Louis XIV

2. Meet the French Royal Style: Louis XIV

The Sun King and the Era of Golden Excess

Ah, Louis XIV—aka Le Roi Soleil. The original master of branding. With a reign that outlasted most empires (72 years, darling!), Louis didn’t just rule France—he orchestrated it. Think theatre, pageantry, power... and of course, perfectly toned dancer’s legs. He was that guy.

Louis loathed the grit and grumble of Paris so much that he packed his bags (and half the nobility) and moved into his architectural fantasy: the Palace of Versailles. A gold-drenched stage where he played Apollo the Sun God in ballets and daily life. And yes, the mirrors, chandeliers, and corridors were designed as much to reflect his divine glow as to impress the court.

His legs—trained by a lifetime of ballet—were a national treasure. He flaunted them in full-length portraits like a proto–Instagram model with calf envy. It’s said he believed “L'État, c'est moi”—“I am the State.” Honestly, same energy as someone naming their WiFi network after themselves.

Portrait of Louis XIV (14th) King of France by Nicolas Maurin, 1825-1842, from the collection of the Rijksmuseum

Louis XIV Furniture Style: Baroque with a Capital B

Baroque wasn’t just a style—it was an era-defining mood, and Louis XIV was its biggest fan. This furniture doesn’t whisper luxury—it sings it in Italian, while wearing gold brocade and sipping champagne at noon. Think:

  • Monumental scale—chairs with more presence than some heads of state
  • Architectural symmetry, with strict right angles softened by lavish curves
  • Swirling marquetry in contrasting exotic woods—Boulle work at its boldest
  • Gilded bronze mounts, sculptural flourishes, and mythological motifs everywhere

And let’s not forget marble tops, cabriole legs, and heraldic bling—from monograms to royal fleurs-de-lis, his furniture was basically Versailles in miniature. Upholstery? Brocade, velvet, damask—nothing subtle, ever.

It was a time when even a footstool had a sense of grandeur. Functional furniture? That’s cute. We’re here for art you can sit on.

A drawing of an antique gilded console table with mirror in Louis XIV style from the collection of the Rijksmuseum

Louis XIV Style Table

A drawing of a gilded window valence with heavy blue curtains in Louis XIV style. From the collection of the Rijksmuseum.


Furnishings are characterised by weighty brocades of red and gold. Until 1680, furniture was massive, decorated with sculpture and gilding. Thanks to the development of the craft of marquetry, the furniture was decorated with different colours and different woods. This technique added a new dimension to the visual appeal of the furniture. The most prominent creator of furniture in this period was André Charles Boulle, a renowned ébéniste (cabinetmaker) and sculptor. His works, characterized by elaborate marquetry and gilded bronze mounts, are considered iconic representations of this style.

A drawing of two antique gilded tables Louis XVI Style from the collection of the Rijksmuseum

Louis XIV furniture drew inspiration from classical antiquity, incorporating motifs from ancient Greek and Roman art. This influence is evident in the use of columns, pilasters, and classical ornamentation. While symmetry was emphasized, Louis XIV furniture also featured curved forms and Rocaille motifs.

Why it Still Matters

Louis XIV furniture is statement-making elegance. It’s theatrical, powerful, and unapologetically royal. Whether you’re channelling a modern-day Versailles or just want a piece that demands attention (and knows its worth), the Sun King's style has you covered.

Ready for your own taste of royal opulence? Browse our baroque beauties and let your interiors shine with a little je ne sais quoi... and a lot of gold.

Images sourced via Rijksstudio from the Rijksmuseum.

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