I’ve searched for years for an antique Louis XV child’s chair, and I finally found one in the most unexpected place!
One of the things that I’ve had on my “wish list” for years is an antique gilt wood Louis XV child’s chair.
For the last ten years I have searched for this elusive piece of furniture, and while I have found other antique French children’s chairs, the Louis XV gilt wood armchair has always eluded me.
Periodically I would find them for sale at large auction houses but the prices were always astronomical, sometimes going for several thousand dollars. Even though I kept searching, I don’t think I really believed that I would ever find one, especially one that would fit my budget.
Sometimes, however, you will find just what you are looking for in the most unexpected places, at a time when you least expect it.
Facebook Marketplace is one of the many places where I do routine searches for antique French furniture.
Even though I routinely search FB Marketplace, I rarely find something that grabs my attention. However, last week while doing a quick search through the listings, I saw an ad that stopped me in my tracks.
The ad said, “Antique Chair”. That title normally wouldn’t have gotten my attention, however the picture attached to the listing showed a Louis XV style chair and it had a gilded wood frame which always makes my heart skip a beat!
I clicked over to read the description and there it was….”Beautiful kids chair for sale. Very heavy”.
I tried to contain my excitement, because after all, what are the odds that an authentic Louis XV child’s chair would be found on FB Marketplace?
Thinking that perhaps it was just a small size adult chair, or even a small reproduction doll chair, I messaged the seller and asked for the measurements.
Thankfully, the seller got back to me immediately with the measurements. I compared those dimensions to another child’s chair that I have and got really excited when I realized that it actually was a diminutive French child’s chair!
The next morning, we traveled an hour and a half to pick it up, and to say that I was giddy with joy is an understatement!
I was so surprised to see that this sweet petite chair was in fabulous condition.
It’s a fauteuil style Louis XV chair. Fauteuil (fō′tĭl) means an upholstered armchair usually having sides that are open. It was made in France c. 1880.
The chair still retains the original gilt finish that reflects the passage of time and the use this chair once provided to the children of an affluent French family.
The beauty of this finish is impossible to replicate in a new chair because of the wonderfully random nature of the wear!
The chair has the beautiful flowing lines of the style that was immortalized under the reign of Louis XV (1723-1774) which happens to be my favorite of all of the Louis style chairs.
The back of the chair has such an elegant shape to it with a rounded top that’s embellished with carved flowers in the center.
The front of the seat is also adorned with the carved bouquet of flowers.
All four of the legs have the characteristic cabriole leg that you’ll see on all true Louis XV style furniture.
The upholstery is in a gorgeous cranberry damask that’s still in beautiful condition with only a tiny bit of staining.
I originally thought that I would reupholster it, but after bringing it home, I’ve decided that I love this color set against the shades of blue that I normally decorate with.
I’ve been adding more color this year to my decor and this little piece works perfectly.
The Louis XV period aligned with the Rococo period in European art and design, and this timeframe was one of extreme wealth.
During this period, children’s furniture was designed and made just as the “adult” size furniture was made, but in diminutive sizes. Only the affluent French families owned these sweet petite pieces.
I’m still amazed that I found this little French chair after almost a decade of looking for one. You just never know where you’ll find those special pieces.
I don’t believe that the woman I bought it from knew what a treasure she had. I don’t think she even knew it was French.
She had owned it for many years and used it as a prop to photograph her grandchildren. She told me that she had originally found at an estate of an Italian woman where the surviving family was literally giving the contents of the home away! Can you even imagine?
Miss RubyLou is trying to decide if she likes this child size Louis chair.
I’m not sure she’s crazy about it, but like the previous owner said, it makes a great photography prop!
Do you have a “wish list” for certain antique pieces? I would love to hear what’s on your list!
Best, Cindy
What an amazing treasure. I adore the size and color against the larger chair! Wouldn’t change a thing. I buy cheap vodka, put in a spray bottle and spray the daylights out of upholstery pieces I bring home. I have serious allergies and this even takes care of must. If you place one your husband’s tee shirts after he’s worn it in the seat of the chair I’ll bet Miss Ruby Lou will take to it.
Wonderful suggestions, Pamela! Thank you
I browse FB marketplace. Though I’m at the stage where I’m getting rid of things. Not buying much. I thought of you when I saw that. I’m glad you got it!!
What a beautiful find! I love French antiques and for years had the most beautiful black and white toile guest room We recently downsized and I am embracing my English cottage and filling it with pieces that reflect a collected English country house.
It sounds beautiful!
I’m excited for you, finding such a treasure! My first thought was how perfect for Ruby Lou. I’ve followed your blog for years as I have a very similar taste. I never dreamed I would ever have a desk like the Louis XV desk you had in your study. (Did it make the move with you?) Two weeks ago I was at an estate sale that had some fabulous French items. There was THE desk! I got it for only $250. and it’s in near perfect condition! I wish I could share a picture with you. Such fun, right?
Marie, when we moved from Missouri, I sold the Louis XV Plat desk because I didn’t know if I would have room for it in another home. In our new home, I have a room that I’m turning into a study so I started looking for another French desk. I was lucky enough to find another (in better condition) Louis XV Plat desk a couple of months ago on FB Marketplace for $300! Yours was a great price!! Congratulations on the great find!
Thank you for everything about this wonderful find! What an incredible object with such patina & presence just as it is. Think of France at this time, with Monet and all the amazing artists of the time. What fine parties might this fine little chair have seen? What other objet d’art would have been in the room?
What a stunning chair Cindy!!! worth waiting for I’m sure. The color is fabulous.
RubyLou is a stunner as well! I’m so glad to see her again.
Thanks, Maria!
It’s adorable! And so is the little poser, Miss Ruby Lou. Congrats on a great find – at long last!
Thank you so much, Lee!
Oh my gosh Cyndi you French children’s chair is really lovely in that fabric. It really ops against the blues in your chest and big chair! It was yours you just had to find it! So great.You really make me happy.
Thank you so much, Jenny!
Cindy, glad you were able to finally find what you were looking for -and in even great condition! The color is beautiful. I have a question that has nothing to do with your chair. I noticed your jute rug underneath the chair. I have had all wool rugs and some wool Persian rugs in my house, but, I’m considering a jute rug for my family room. Could you tell me if your rug sheds? I must have gotten a cheaper made wool rug at one time and it shed so badly that I finally just got rid of it. I had to vacuum around it every day!
Hi Lottie! Yes, unfortunately the jute rug does shed somewhat. I’ve owned several of them, and they all seem to shed to some degree. I hope this helps!
WOW. What a beauty! I love it. I agree, don’t reupholster it – leave it as is! The cranberry color really adds dimension to your room. I would keep that gorgeous chair forever.
Oh Cindy! I am so excited for you with this fabulous find! No one deserves this blessing more than you!
I must tell you that I also had the blessing of a long desired find. For years I have wanted a large copper tub but just couldn’t find a really nice one in my price range. I went to an estate sale recently and THERE IT WAS! I checked it out and it was in almost perfect condition (considering the obvious age) and I thought the price sticker said $75. I thought “Wow, that’s a great price!” Imagine my surprise when the check out person said, “That will be $25.” !!!
I thought that they made a mistake but sure enough, when I rechecked the price, it was $25. In my excitement I had misread the sticker!! I think the Lord gets a chuckle out of blessing us with sweet surprises. Psalm 37:4 🙂
What a wonderful find, Deb! Yes, I agree, I call those “God Winks”!
It’s beautiful – what a find! Always so exciting when you find a treasure you’ve been wanting, especially at such a great price! That’s amazing, and Ruby Lou looks stunning in it
Thank you so much, Jacki!
Wonderful story!! Happy your heart is singing,’ I found my chair!’.
It’s so fun finding a long- awaited treasure, and this is beautiful! Cheers to the child chair!
What a find!! RubyLoo looks fabulous in that red chair! I am currently not looking for anything special.. I do need to replace our living room furniture but first I must finish painting the walls and ceiling!
The wear on that is perfection! Love, love, love it ❤️ I have found over and over to just be patient. When it’s something I reeeeally want, it may take time, but it always finds me. This is such a fabulous find!
I agree, Debbie! Patience is the key!
I found a pair of Grand Tour mid 19th century 2’ tall porphyry obelisks on Marketplace in Atlanta a couple of years ago. $50 the pair. Similar story, the woman who sold them was ‘de cluttering’ and just wanted them gone. Kismet happens. Beautiful chair!
That’s amazing, Steven!