French Furniture

French Antique Furniture for Sale UK

French Antique Furniture

French antique furniture represents some of the finest cabinetmaking the world has ever produced. From the ornate gilt-bronze mounted pieces of the Louis XV and Louis XVI periods to the painted Vernis Martin vitrines of the Belle Époque, French furniture combines extraordinary craftsmanship with enduring beauty.

At Hawkins Antiques we specialise in French antique furniture — it forms the heart of our collection. We stock kingwood and tulipwood pieces, Vernis Martin cabinets and commodes, ormolu-mounted vitrines, bonheur du jour writing tables, and marquetry commodes from the 18th and 19th centuries.

All pieces are sourced personally from private collections across the UK and France, and delivered throughout the UK from our warehouse in Barry, South Wales.

French antique furniture for sale at Hawkins Antiques, Barry, South Wales

Our Stock

French Antique Furniture Styles We Specialise In

French furniture spans several distinct royal and Imperial periods, each with its own aesthetic character.

Louis XV Furniture

Flowing Rococo curves, cabriole legs, and elaborate ormolu mounts. Typically veneered in kingwood, tulipwood, or rosewood with parquetry or marquetry decoration. The most sculptural of the French royal styles.

Louis XVI Furniture

A shift towards Neoclassical restraint — straighter lines, tapered fluted legs, and refined ormolu mounts featuring urns, laurel wreaths, and classical figures.

Vernis Martin Furniture

Hand-painted panels — typically romantic garden scenes, figures, or florals — set within gilt-bronze frames on kingwood carcasses. Named after the Martin brothers who perfected the technique.

Empire & Napoleon III

Bold, architectural furniture with heavy ormolu mounts, dark mahogany or ebonised finishes, and imposing proportions. Napoleon III combined earlier styles with Victorian-era opulence.

Belle Époque (c.1880–1914)

The great Parisian cabinet makers — Linke, Sormani, Durand — produced extraordinary pieces. Superb kingwood veneers, exquisitely cast ormolu, and elaborate Vernis Martin panels characterise the finest examples.

French Provincial & Oak

Solid oak armoires, buffets, and farm tables from the French countryside — honest construction, exceptional character, and substantial scale.

Expert Advice

Buying Guide: French Antique Furniture

Identifying Quality

The finest French pieces show perfectly matched veneers, precisely cast and chased ormolu mounts, and immaculate marquetry. Look at the quality of the gilt bronze — fine pieces have crisply detailed mounts with individual petals, acanthus leaves, and figures clearly defined.

Maker's Marks & Attribution

The most valuable French pieces carry maker's stamps — cartouches stamped into the carcass timber. Pieces by Linke, Sormani, Durand, or Millet command significant premiums. Many fine pieces are unstamped but clearly of high quality — often described as "in the manner of" a known maker.

Condition & Restoration

French furniture with elaborate veneers and mounts requires specialist care. Some veneer loss or minor repairs are normal on 150+ year old pieces. Ormolu should retain its original gilding where possible — re-gilded mounts are less desirable than original, worn gilding.

Vernis Martin Panels

The painted panels on Vernis Martin pieces are the most vulnerable element. Look for consistent colouring without obvious retouching, and check the lacquer surface for crazing or lifting at the edges. Major repainting of panels significantly reduces value.

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UK Delivery on All French Antique Furniture

French antique furniture requires specialist handling. All pieces are delivered by our two-man antique delivery team — fully wrapped, insured, and carefully placed in the room of your choice. International shipping can be arranged. Call 01446 744271 for a delivery quote.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Louis XV and Louis XVI furniture?
Louis XV furniture (c.1723–1774) is characterised by Rococo curves, asymmetry, and elaborate decoration. Louis XVI furniture (c.1774–1792) marks a shift to Neoclassicism — straighter lines, symmetry, and restrained decoration inspired by ancient Greece and Rome. Both styles are highly collectible.
What is Vernis Martin?
Vernis Martin is a European lacquering technique developed by the Martin brothers in 18th-century France. Furniture decorated in this style features hand-painted panels — often pastoral or romantic scenes — beneath a protective lacquer coating, typically set within ormolu frames on kingwood carcasses.
Do you specialise in French antique furniture?
Yes — French antique furniture is at the heart of what we do at Hawkins Antiques. We have been buying and selling French pieces for over 60 years, and our stock regularly includes Vernis Martin cabinets, Louis XV commodes, kingwood vitrines, and Belle Époque writing tables by known Parisian makers.
Can I visit to view French antique furniture in person?
Yes — please call ahead on 01446 744271 to arrange a visit to our warehouse at Unit 15, Palmers Vale Business Centre, Barry, CF63 2XA. We can also provide additional photographs, video, and condition reports prior to purchase.
Do you ship French antique furniture internationally?
Yes. We regularly ship to Europe, the USA, and further afield through specialist antique couriers with full insurance. Contact us at lee@hawkinsantiques.com for a shipping quote to your location.

Browse Our French Antique Furniture

New pieces arriving weekly — sourced from private collections across the UK and France.

View All French Furniture