Designing Power: France’s Artistic Heritage from Court to Collector

Designing Power: France’s Artistic Heritage from Court to Collector

141 products
141 products

At Nicholas Wells Antiques, we are proud to present a carefully curated selection of French decorative arts that embody the elegance and sophistication of France’s most celebrated periods. From the grandeur of Louis XIV to the refined neoclassicism of Louis XVI, our collection showcases furniture and works of art that reflect the very best of French design.

Highlights include finely crafted commodes, armoires, and vitrines—masterpieces of case furniture renowned for their craftsmanship, proportion, and decorative detail. Equally captivating are our giltwood mirrors, consoles, and other exceptional pieces that bring the splendour of 18th-century France into contemporary interiors.

Each item in our collection has been chosen for its quality, authenticity, and historical importance, offering collectors and connoisseurs the opportunity to acquire works that epitomise the enduring influence of French artistry. These are not just decorative objects, but statements of cultural heritage and timeless design.

At Nicholas Wells Antiques, French decorative arts remain at the heart of our collection—testament to a legacy of beauty and craftsmanship that continues to inspire today.
19th Century Giltwood Overmantel Mirror with intricate carved giltwood frame, French, circa 1875, large decorative piece.
19th Century Giltwood Overmantel Mirror with intricate floral carved frame and original gilding, French circa 1875.
19th Century Giltwood Overmantel Mirror
Nicholas Wells Antiques
£POA
19th Century Rectangular French Empire Gilt Frame Mirror with anthemions lyres oak leaves acorns ornate design
19th Century Rectangular French Empire Gilt Frame Mirror with ornate anthemions, lyres, and oak leaf details.
19th Century Rectangular French Empire Gilt Frame Mirror
Collection EE30
Dieppe Bone Mirror with intricate carved whale bone frame featuring cherubs, knights, and flags, circa 1830, oval beveled glass.
Dieppe Bone Mirror close-up showing intricate carved overlapping bone slices with shield and cherub details.
Dieppe Bone Mirror
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Pair Of 19th Century French Mirrors with polished frames and original plates, circa 1870, height 99 cm width 83 cm.
Pair Of 19th Century French Mirrors with polished frames and original mirror plates, circa 1870, 99x83 cm each.
Pair Of 19th Century French Mirrors
Collection EE30
French Mid-Century Glazed Ceramic Table Lamp with white glaze and biscuit leaf motifs, 32 cm high, shade not included.
French Mid-Century Glazed Ceramic Table Lamp with white biscuit leaf motif ceramic base, 32 cm high, rewired for modern use.
French Mid-Century Glazed Ceramic Table Lamp
Collection EE20
Pair of French Carcel Polished Bronze Table Lamps with Corinthian columns and lion paw feet, circa 1840.
Pair of French Carcel Polished Bronze Table Lamps showing detailed bronze base with lion mask paw feet and internal oil pump mechanism.
Pair of French Carcel Polished Bronze Table Lamps
Collection CK40
Pair Of French Gilt Bronze And Tole Antique Gold Column Table Lamps with black shade and detailed gold column bases.
Pair Of French Gilt Bronze And Tole Antique Gold Column Table Lamps with black shade, Art Deco style circa 1930 France.
Pair Of French Gilt Bronze And Tole Antique Gold Column Table Lamps
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Pair of French Gilt Bronze Neo Classical Candlestick Table Lamps with white marble bases, circa 1880, 30 cm tall.
Pair of French Gilt Bronze Neo Classical Candlestick Table Lamps with white marble bases and gilt bead borders.
Pair of French Gilt Bronze Neo Classical Candlestick Table Lamps
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Pair of French Opaline Vases Mounted as Table Lamps with hand painted flowers and gilt foliate details.
Pair of French Opaline Vases Mounted as Table Lamps with hand painted flowers and gilt accents on white opaline.
Pair of French Opaline Vases Mounted as Table Lamps
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Pair of Louis XVI style gilt-bronze wall lights with French horn arms, oak leaf and ribbon motifs, circa 1950.
Pair of Louis XVI style gilt-bronze wall lights with two arms shaped as French horns and oak leaf decor.
Pair of Louis XVI style gilt-bronze wall lights
Nicholas Wells Antiques
£POA
Vintage Column Table Lamps – Gunmetal & Brass – Maison Charles elegant pair with stepped circular plinths circa 1970
Vintage Column Table Lamps – Gunmetal & Brass – Maison Charles, elegant 1970s design on stepped circular plinths.
Vintage Column Table Lamps – Gunmetal & Brass – Maison Charles
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Henri Michel Chapu bronze sculpture La Jeunesse depicting a woman reaching upward with intricate drapery details.
Henri Michel Chapu bronze sculpture mold showing detailed interior casting with aged patina from 1875-1890.
Henri Michel Chapu
Nicholas Wells Antiques
£POA
Pierre Le Faguays Art Deco bronze sculpture The Wheel, dynamic male figure pushing a large wheel, circa 1930.
Pierre Le Faguays
Collection NE10
Art Deco Polished Steel Flower Table with three circular tops and a tripod base on casters, circa 1930 France.
Art Deco Polished Steel Flower Table with three round steel tops and tripod base, French circa 1930 design.
Art Deco Polished Steel Flower Table
Collection TH30
Chinese Export Lacquer Bureau-On-Stand and Toilet Glass with polychrome floral design, Canton, circa 1730.
Chinese Export Lacquer Bureau-On-Stand and Toilet Glass with polychrome flower design, Canton China, circa 1730.
Chinese Export Lacquer Bureau-On-Stand and Toilet Glass
Collection CK40
French 18th Century Rustic Farm Table made of solid worn elm with substantial legs, circa 1700, French provincial style.
French 18th Century Rustic Farm Table made from worn elm wood with sturdy legs against a blue wall in a vintage room.
French 18th Century Rustic Farm Table
Collection EE40
French Modernist Polished Steel Cabinet with cross-hatched gallery, three vertical divisions, shelf, and scroll legs.
French Modernist Polished Steel Cabinet with cross-hatched gallery, three vertical divisions, and elegant scroll legs.
French Modernist Polished Steel Cabinet
Nicholas Wells Antiques
French Modernist Polished Steel Centre Table – Jean Prouve with sleek metal base and rectangular top circa 1950 France.
French Modernist Polished Steel Centre Table – Jean Prouve with sleek polished steel and minimalist design from France circa 1950
French Modernist Polished Steel Centre Table – Jean Prouve
Collection TH20
French Polished Steel & Brass Gothic Revolving Centre Table with revolving black Gris St Anne marble top and ornate base.
French Polished Steel & Brass Gothic Revolving Centre Table with marble top and ornate base circa 1850.
French Polished Steel & Brass Gothic Revolving Centre Table
Collection TH20
Italian Napoleonite & Figured Walnut Stylised Dolphin Console Tables with rare Corsican Napoleonite stone tops.
Italian Napoleonite & Figured Walnut Stylised Dolphin Console Tables carved dolphin detail in rich walnut wood.
Italian Napoleonite & Figured Walnut Stylised Dolphin Console Tables
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Late 18th century Louis XVI French Console Dessert with Gris St Anne marble, brass details, and flame mahogany veneers.
Late 18th century Louis XVI French Console Dessert with flame mahogany veneer and brass detailing, drawer open view
Late 18th century Louis XVI French Console Dessert
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Louis XVI Style Acajou Moucheté Demi Lune Console Desserte with marble top and brass details, circa 1870, France.
Louis XVI Style Acajou Moucheté Demi Lune Console Desserte with pierced brass rails and fluted legs close-up detail.
Louis XVI Style Acajou Moucheté Demi Lune Console Desserte
Collection CK30
Mid Century Metamorphic Brass Coffee Table with circular smoked glass tops and burnished brass frame on casters.
Mid Century Metamorphic Brass Coffee Table with burnished brass frame, smoked glass tops, and rolling second tier extension.
Mid Century Metamorphic Brass Coffee Table
Collection TH20
French Directoire Satinwood Secretaire Abattant with brass fluting and rosewood accents, early 19th century design.
French Directoire Satinwood Secretaire Abattant with brass details and multiple drawers, early 19th century antique furniture.
French Directoire Satinwood Secretaire Abattant
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Imposing French Directoire Commode
Collection EE40
Antique Walnut Marquetry Credenza - 92 Inch
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Late 19th Century Napoleon III French Vitrine Cabinet
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Louis Philippe Figured Walnut Commode
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Louis XVI Revival Bonheur Du Jour | By Diehl
Collection CK20
Magnificent French Louis XIV Walnut Cabinet
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Napoleon III French Side Cabinet
Nicholas Wells Antiques
£POA
Mid 18th Century French Commode
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Empire Mahogany Armchair
Collection TH20
Pair of Neo Classical Canapés
Collection CK20
Ten French Antique Satinwood Side Chairs – Charles X Period
Collection CK20
Charlotte Perriand
Collection EE30
Regency X Frame Parcel Gilt Stool
Nicholas Wells Antiques
£POA
Early 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Sofa
Collection TH20
A Fine French Neo Classical Mantel Clock
Nicholas Wells Antiques
A Fine Porcelain Mounted Ormolu Mantel Clock
Nicholas Wells Antiques
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