Antique French Furniture in akuntan publik

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Antique French Furniture

Drawing Room - Barocco style

In the 1700s, the French and their monarchs and their monarch’s architects heavily influenced furniture styles.  The 1700s waddled in with the Baroque style, which was ponderous, full of bold symmetrical curves and large ornamentation, a style of showing off rather than making comfortable. The gentler, more graceful Rococo style emerged at the end of Louis XIV’s reign, continued to grow during a transitional period, and blossomed during Louis XV. Rococo is characterized by ornamental curves, asymetrically arranged, and is rich with carvings of acanthus leaves and scrolled designs shaped like the letters C and S.   The chairs and tables were lighter, more delicate and easier to move around. At last, a person could have a comfortable place to sit.

French Rococo

The wealthy were in the mood for comfort and convenience.  They created smaller rooms in their palaces and mansions: a game room, a music room, and a conversation room.  The larger furniture that commanded a palatial setting was gradually discontinued in favour of furniture that invited more informal,  salon-type conversation.


As the styles changed, the older furniture occupied places of less importance in the court.  It might be seen huddled in a corner, instead of displayed in the center of a room.  It might be banished to a country estate. Rococo style Regence and Louis XV, 1715-1774 (France) Style changes are gradual.  The Regence period between Louis XVI and Louis XV showed the emerging trend to Rococo and the lingering love of Baroque.  The cabriole, a gently curved leg inspired by the Chinese, and pictured earlier, began to make its way onto furniture, yet the symmetry of Baroque was still in vogue. Cabriole leg

A carved shell on the apron (the wooden area just below the seat) or on the crest rail on the top front of the chair and turned stretchers between chair legs are other signs of that in-between Regence period. France led the way in Rococo, with teams of brilliant craftsmen assembled at Versailles  by Louis XV.  Architects designed the furniture, particularly beds, wall chairs, and console tables, to be part of a grand house.  Sometimes, craftsmen painted and parcel gilded ( meaning that they only gilded certain areas, usually the raised decoration) the furniture to match the paneling in a certain room.  The opulence and ornateness of the furnishings mirrored the opulence of the French court. Louis’ furniture designers popularized the elegant cabriole.

If something was “afoot”, chances were it was the sabot, which was an added bronze cap, often gilded.  (covered in gold leaf), and put over the wooden foot. Designer elements on Rococo include: – Asymmetrical curves and lines with a freer flow (which distinguishes it from the highly symmetrical 19th century Rococo)

– Cabriole leg (an “S” curved leg)

– Acanthus scroll (graceful leaf that often appears on cabriole legs, arm terminals, nd bronze mounts).

– S and C curves and /or scroll shapes and designs on knees and feet of furniture.

– Gilt scrollwork.

– Gilt mounts as decorative hardware (to protect the knees and feet of the furniture as they carried it around).

– Marquetry (invalid figurative designs created from veneer).

Sometimes ivory is added to a variety of inlaid woods.  Veneer is a thin sheet of decorative wood, usually more expensive or rare, which is laid on top of the secondary or support wood.  Ovals and ellipses replaced the Rococo curves.  Carved flowers appearing in bouquets on the seat rail or chair crests, or standing out as a single bloom in the floral marquetry on cabinets or commodes. Neoclassical Style Louis XVI, 1755-1805 (France)

In one sense, the Neoclassical period straightened things up.  after a transition period, Louis XVI shifted away from frivolity and ecandence and tried to restore dignity to the court and glory to the king.  Inspired by the excaation of Pompeii, cabinetmakers embraced and enhanced the classical, using exotic woods and carving pillars, brass columns, and mythological creatures.

Neoclassical console table with mythological creatures

Straight lines and symmetry were back in vogue, as were classical tenets such as balance, order, and harmony. Disigner elements in Neoclassical include:

– Rosettes at the top of the legs

– Interlocking circles and cloven-hoofed feet

– baslets pf flowers and bows with crinkly, flowing ribbons

– Corinthian style columns

– Straighter lines and symmetry

In this period, furniture continued its trend toward lightness and featured small tables and writing desks. the back of a Rococo chair is generally curved.  The back of a Neoclassical chair is usually square or rectilinear. The Guild system was at its peak in France.  Although oppressive, these divisions of labor provoked exquisite things.  Loo for a signature on fine French furniture made in the period from 1743 to about1789: The French craftsmen were required to sign their work, although foreigners and those working for the government were exempt.  Remember, on furniture, a signature isn’t necessarily a name:  You might find initials, a date, or a monogram.

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