Rating and value of Louis XV furniture (chests of drawers, armoires, armchairs and desks)
Key takeaways
- Louis XV furniture sells for between €20 and €1,350,000 depending on the type and condition, with chests of drawers commanding the highest prices.
- Chests of drawers and armchairs crafted by renowned cabinetmakers—especially those bearing a maker’s mark—see their value increase considerably.
- Period furniture is more sought after than Louis XV-style pieces, which are characterized by simplicity, asymmetry, and floral motifs inspired by nature.
Do you own a piece of Louis XV furniture and would like to determine its value? Our specialists graciously offer a 24-hour appraisal of your Louis XV furniture, provide you with an estimate of its cost on the current market and then guide you in making a sale at the most advantageous price possible. They take into account factors such as the age, provenance, state of preservation and rarity of the object to provide an accurate, documented estimate.
Rating and value of Louis XV furniture
Louis XV furniture is highly prized on the auction market. It is more sober than Louis XIV furniture, yet sophisticated. The price at which it sells on the art and auction market ranges from €20 to €1,350,000, a considerable delta but one that speaks volumes about the value that can be attributed to your Louis XV period furniture. In 2022, a Louis XV period armoire in wood with mother-of-pearl-inlaid Chinese lacquer panels and stamped Jean-François Leleu sold for €170,560, almost three times the high estimate.
Order of value of Louis XV furniture from the most basic to the most prestigious
Type of Louis XV period furniture | Result |
|---|---|
Armoire Louis XV period | From 300 to 170 560€ |
Armchair Louis XV period | From 20 to 49 450€ |
Louis XV period desk | From 150 to 721 600€ |
Louis XV period chest of drawers | From 500 to 1 350 000€ |
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Characteristics of Louis XV period furniture
Louis XV period furniture is characterized by sobriety and elegance. Wood is always used for marquetry, but many armchairs are also produced, with floral motifs and often in pastel colors. The motifs are very nature-inspired, featuring shells, foliage and animals. Curved legs appeared on desks, tables and armchairs. The Louis XIV style was highly symmetrical, and cabinetmakers responded to this by introducing asymmetry. Furniture was no longer designed for utility, but for aesthetics: drawers, for example, were eliminated. Furniture is also designed to occupy the whole space, whereas before it was designed to be placed against walls, wasting space in the center of the room. Seats are designed in elevation and curves appear : we have the violoné backrest and the cabriolé backrest (curved in plan).
Reasons to sell Louis XV furniture at auction
Louis XV furniture is very popular on the auction market. The estimate for your piece of furniture can obviously vary depending on whether it is Louis XV period (made at the time by a cabinetmaker following the stylistic characteristics) or Louis XV style (made after the time of Louis XV also following the stylistic characteristics). Period furniture is particularly sought-after. However, Louis XV-style furniture also sells well at auction, as it enables buyers to get a piece of furniture for less than if it were period with the same characteristics.
Buyers seek them out for their refinement. The most emblematic pieces of furniture in this style are those by cabinetmaker Matthieu Criaerd, who produced the furnishings for the entire bedroom of the Countess de Mailly, mistress of Louis XV. The chests of drawers and bedside cabinets are blue and white, with an elegance still unrivalled in cabinetmaking.
Blue stands out a lot in the stylistic characteristics of Louis XV furniture, but there's also a lot of pink, which helps soften interiors. It's this spirit that many collectors are looking for.
The stamp
A stamp on a piece of furniture can significantly increase its value, depending on the artist who made it, the workshop, and the date of manufacture.
Have a Louis XV period piece of furniture appraised
If you own a Louis XV piece of furniture or any other piece of cabinetry, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal by filling out our online form.
A member of our team of experts and certified auctioneers will contact you to provide an estimate of your piece's market value. If you are considering selling your piece of cabinetry, our specialists will also guide you through the various alternatives available to obtain the best possible price for your work, taking into account market trends and the specific features of each object.
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Frequently asked questions
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What are the defining characteristics of Louis XV furniture, and how can you recognize it?Louis XV furniture is distinguished by its elegant simplicity, asymmetrical lines, and curved legs, in contrast to the symmetry of Louis XIV furniture. The motifs are inspired by nature (seashells, foliage, animals) and feature marquetry, while the chairs have violin-shaped or cabriole backs. Pastel shades, particularly blue and pink, are characteristic of this refined style.
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What is the average price of a Louis XV piece of furniture at auction?The value of Louis XV furniture varies considerably depending on the type and quality: armchairs range from €20 to €49,450, chests of drawers from €500 to €1,350,000, and desks from €150 to €721,600. These differences reflect the importance of factors such as the cabinetmaker’s mark, condition, and provenance. A piece of furniture marked by a renowned master cabinetmaker can far exceed average estimates.
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How do I have a piece of Louis XV furniture authenticated and appraised?Auctie's offers a free, no-obligation appraisal of your Louis XV furniture. Simply fill out the online form: an expert or certified auctioneer from our team will contact you to provide an accurate estimate based on the piece’s age, provenance, condition, and rarity. Our specialists will also provide you with advice on how to get the best possible price for your piece.
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What is the difference between an original Louis XV piece of furniture and a piece of furniture in the Louis XV style?An original Louis XV piece was crafted during the reign of Louis XV by a cabinetmaker who adhered to the stylistic characteristics of the period, whereas a Louis XV-style piece was created later by replicating those same characteristics. Period pieces are particularly sought after and command higher prices, but period-style pieces remain in high demand because they are more affordable for collectors.
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How do I sell my Louis XV furniture at auction with Auctie's?Auctie's supports you from appraisal to auction: after receiving a free appraisal, our experts will guide you in determining the best sales strategy, taking into account market trends and the specific characteristics of your piece of furniture. We optimize every step to help you achieve the best possible price by highlighting features such as the maker’s mark or documented provenance.
