Louis XVI Style Hardware & Bronzes
The neoclassical elegance and refined sobriety of the Age of Enlightenment
Sublime your furniture and interiors with our collection of Louis XVI style hardware and bronzes faithful to the spirit of this refined era.
The Louis XVI Style: The Return to the Antique
The Louis XVI style, also known as French Neoclassical style, emerged in the 1760s and flourished under the reign of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette. This style marks a break with the exuberant curves of the Rocaille (Rococo) to return to rigor, symmetry, and antique inspiration.
The Louis XVI style is distinguished by:
- Straight and geometric lines architectural forms
- Rigorous symmetry inspired by Greco-Roman Antiquity
- Neoclassical motifs: fluting, beads, eggs, ribbons, knots
- Delicate ornaments: flower garlands, medallions, vases, lyres
- A refined use of gilded bronze on light woods (mahogany, lemonwood)
Recognizing Louis XVI Style Furniture
- Geometric and rectilinear shapes: straight lines, right angles
- Perfect symmetry: rigorous balance of ornaments
- Tapered and fluted legs: antique column shape, often ending in sabots
- Light or precious woods: mahogany, lemonwood, ebony, amaranth
- Geometric marquetry: diamonds, cubes, checkerboard patterns
- Gilded bronze fittings: ring handles, rosettes, openwork galleries
Recognizing Louis XVI Style Bronzes
Louis XVI style bronzes are distinguished by their finesse, delicacy, and antique inspiration. Each piece of hardware contributes to the sober and refined elegance of the furniture.
01. Architectural Motifs
Fluting, pilasters, columns, Ionic capitals
02. Geometric Motifs
Beads, eggs, dentils, Vitruvian scrolls, Greek keys
03. Garlands & Medallions
Flower garlands, laurel garlands, festoons, oval medallions, antique profiles, cameos
04. Ribbons and bows
Ribbon bows, intertwined ribbons, cockades
05. Ancient motifs
Vases, urns, lyres, torches, quivers, flambeaux
06. Finishes
Mercury gilding, Gold leaf gilding, Matte chased bronze, Burnished chased bronze, Two-tone gold
Our Collection of Louis XVI Style Hardware
Our shop in Saint-Ouen, located in the heart of the Antiques District near the Paris Flea Market, brings together more than 2,500 references of period-style hardware and bronzes, including a large selection dedicated to the Louis XVI style for furniture, interior fitting, and architecture. Since 1970, we have been supplying cabinetmakers, antique dealers, decorators, and individuals passionate about antique furniture.
Louis XVI Furniture Hardware
Give your Louis XVI furniture the authenticity it deserves with our selection of antique hardware and style bronzes faithful to the neoclassical era.
Louis XVI Handles & Ring Pulls
- Ring pulls on gilt bronze rosettes
- Ring pulls on oval medallions
- Macaron ring pulls
- Ribbon bow handles
- Pearl-beaded drawer pulls
Louis XVI Keyhole Escutcheons
- Gilt bronze oval medallion escutcheons
- Ribbon bow escutcheons
- Floral garland escutcheons
- Fluted rectangular key plates
Louis XVI Rosettes & Appliques
- Round floral rosettes
- Oval ribbon bow rosettes
- Gilt bronze garland appliques
- Antique style decorative medallions
Louis XVI Mounts & Drops
- Gilt bronze ribbon bow drops
- Floral garland drops
- Vase and antique urn ornaments
- Crossed torch appliques
Louis XVI Sabots & Rings
- Fluted sabots for tapered legs
- Round or square sabots
- Acanthus leaf sabots
- Gilt bronze beaded rings
- Neoclassical decorative casters
Louis XVI Galleries & Moldings
- Openwork geometric galleries
- Gilt bronze pearl and egg moldings
- Heart-dart moldings
- Leaf friezes
Louis XVI Architectural & Interior Hardware
For your Louis XVI style interior decoration projects and period building renovations, we offer a selection of adapted antique hardware.
- Louis XVI door handles
- Push plates adorned with garlands and ribbon bows
- Cremone bolts and window accessories from the neoclassical period
- Louis XVI style wall ornaments
- Decorative elements for woodwork, paneling, and fireplaces
Finishes for Your Louis XVI Style Bronzes
All our period-style bronzes can be given a Louis XVI-style finish in our workshop. The Khephren workshop is skilled in all surface treatments, enabling us to faithfully reproduce period finishes or create custom designs according to your wishes.
24-Carat Gilding
Polished Varnished Gold
Polished Varnished Patinated Gold
Light Medal Bronze
Medium Medal Bronze
Dark Medal Bronze
Bright Polished Brass
Satin Polished Brass
Our services for your Louis XVI style projects
Bronze Reproduction
Our bronze artisans master both traditional and modern techniques to create faithful reproductions.
Bronze Restoration
Have your Louis XVI style ornaments lost their luster? The Khephren workshop restores life to your pieces.
Custom Creation
Have a specific project in mind? Our artisans can create custom-made pieces in the purest Louis XVI style.
Frequently Asked Questions about Louis XVI Style Hardware
Which finishes are authentic for Louis XVI style bronzes?
Mercury gilding (or fire gilding) is the most authentic finish of the Louis XVI period. It produces a fine, luminous gold, perfect for highlighting the delicacy of neoclassical ornaments.
Two-tone effects (matte gold and burnished gold) are characteristic of the Louis XVI style: matte chased backgrounds contrast with polished and burnished high relief. Today, 24-carat gold leaf gilding allows for a faithful reproduction of these effects. Our workshop masters these different techniques to restore or reproduce your Louis XVI style bronzes.
Can a missing ornament on a Louis XVI piece of furniture be replaced?
Yes, there are two options available to you to replace a missing ornament:
- Find an equivalent model among our 2,500 references in store
- Have the piece reproduced identically from an existing model or plan
Our team will advise you on the solution best suited to your furniture and your budget. Come and visit us with your piece or send us photos for an initial opinion.
How to restore tarnished Louis XVI style bronzes?
Restoring Louis XVI style bronzes involves several steps:
- Delicate cleaning to remove grime without damaging the gilding
- Assessment of the original gilding and chasing condition
- Partial or complete regilding if necessary
- Re-chasing to revive details
- Patination to harmonize restored parts
- Protection with a suitable wax or varnish
Warning: Never use household cleaning products on antique gilded bronzes. You risk permanently removing the original gilding. Entrust this work to our specialized workshop.
Is it possible to have Louis XVI style bronzes made to measure?
Yes. Our custom design service guides you from conception to realization of personalized Louis XVI style hardware and bronzes:
- Study of your plans, sketches, or existing models
- Advice on the appropriate casting technique
- Artisanal manufacturing
- Hand chasing of details
- Application of the desired gilding or patina
We regularly work with cabinetmakers, interior designers, and architects on Louis XVI style furnishing and interior design projects.
How much does a Louis XVI style hardware restoration cost?
The cost of restoring Louis XVI style bronzes varies according to several factors:
- The initial condition of the pieces (worn gilding, gaps, oxidation)
- The number of pieces to be treated
- The desired surface treatment (complete or partial regilding)
- The complexity of the ornaments and their chasing
Contact us for a free quote. We evaluate each project individually.
Where to buy Louis XVI style hardware and bronzes in France?
The Khephren boutique in Saint-Ouen (93) offers more than 2,500 references of period hardware and bronzes, including a large Louis XVI selection: ring pulls on rosettes, medallion keyhole escutcheons, ribbon bow drops, openwork galleries, sabots for tapered legs…
- Address: 41 rue des Rosiers, 93400 Saint-Ouen (Antiques District, Saint-Ouen Flea Market)
- Phone: +33 1 40 11 35 78 / +33 6 21 53 12 79
- Email: khephren.bronzes@outlook.com
You can visit us during opening hours or contact us by phone and email for remote orders.
Do you ship Louis XVI style hardware and bronzes internationally?
Yes, we provide delivery of Louis XVI style hardware and bronzes:
- Metropolitan France: secure shipping
- Europe: Belgium, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy…
- International: United States, Canada, Middle East…
We regularly work with antique dealers, cabinetmakers, and interior designers abroad. Shipping costs are calculated based on weight and destination. Contact us for a quote including secure packaging and delivery.
Discover Our Other Styles
Our expertise covers all styles of French furniture. Each era has its codes and characteristic ornaments.
Contact us
Our team is at your disposal to provide you with all the information you need to carry out your furnishing and layout projects.
- Address: 41 rue des Rosiers, 93400 Saint-Ouen
- Phone: +33 (0)1 40 11 35 78
- Email : khephren.bronzes@outlook.com