French Period Furniture
The craftsmen of France were far more advanced than the English, therefore the English craftsmen took their furniture design inspiration from them. French Period furniture follows the French Style periods.
14th - 15th Centuries Early French
16th Century French Renaissance
1610 - 1643 Louis 13th
1643 - 1715 Louis 14th
1715 - 1774 Louis 15th
1774 - 1793 Louis 16th
1795 - 1804 Directoire and Consulate
1804 - 1815 Empire
14th - 15th Centuries Early French
16th Century French Renaissance
1610 - 1643 Louis 13th
1643 - 1715 Louis 14th
1715 - 1774 Louis 15th
1774 - 1793 Louis 16th
1795 - 1804 Directoire and Consulate
1804 - 1815 Empire
Louis 14th (1642 - 1715)
Louis 14th (1642 - 1715) The French Renaissance had lost most of it's Italian origin and had developed a character of it's own. This is when Louis 14th came to reign; he was a man with extravagant tastes. France was at the time one of the wealthiest countries in Europe therefore he was able to indulge in his passion for arts and crafts. The country had fine skilled craftsmen of enormous talent in abundance and nothing was too good or too expensive to be made. The most outstanding of these craftsmen was Andre Charles Boulle, he experimented with the Italian art form of Marquetry in brass, copper, tortiseshell and ebony. This work is now commonly called "Boulle work".
The features of the furniture
1. Wood carving, which did not have decoration, only marquetry, and often elaborate brass mounts.
2. The surfaces of cabinets were generally flat.
3. The main source of decoration was Boulle work.
4. Curved and straight legs were used, with the curved dominating at the end moving to the more shapely next period.
The Palace of Versailles was commissioned by Louis 14th, it was furnished with the finest and richest work that could possibly be produced.
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The features of the furniture
1. Wood carving, which did not have decoration, only marquetry, and often elaborate brass mounts.
2. The surfaces of cabinets were generally flat.
3. The main source of decoration was Boulle work.
4. Curved and straight legs were used, with the curved dominating at the end moving to the more shapely next period.
The Palace of Versailles was commissioned by Louis 14th, it was furnished with the finest and richest work that could possibly be produced.
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Louis 15th (1715 - 1774)
The son of Louis 14th was only five years old when his father died and too young to take the reign. The Duke on Orleans was appointed Regent and took control until his death in 1723.
Changes happened in this time and the extravagant grandeur of the court was no longer. The country was not as wealthy and people lived a much quieter presence.
Changes in social standings were occurring, the aristocracy began to marry the more humble but now wealthy middle classes, bankers, merchants etc. The grand mansions that once were ostentatious and full of extravagance were replaced by smaller more intimate homes.
This meant that the style of furniture had to change to meet the peoples new demands. It needed to be smaller, it stayed ornate but the once masculine forms were replaced by softer prettier feminine lines. Therefore the furniture became more elegant with more ornamental decoration.
Features of the Furniture during Louis 15th
1Fronts and sides of cabinets were curved in plan and elevation,.
2.Veneers were used,
3, The elaborate decoration that was usually inlaid and the guilded mounts in place of carving continued its trend.
4.The cabriole leg (French Version) was at it's most popular during this period.
5.The French had a more flowing shape, The shape flowed into the rails or had a concave curve upwards.
6.The foot was usually scrolled.
7.Timbers used at this time were, boxwood, rosewood, mahogany, walnut, tulipwood, sycamore and ebony.
8.Guilding and lacquering were also popular at this time.
There was a reaction to the elaborate Rococo work near the end of Louis 15th's reign and the revival of the classical spirit began in Louis 16th's reign.
The major feature of Louis 15th Furniture is the shaped work of the curves. This commenced in Louis 14th 's reign and was expanded upon to the extent that there was barely a straight line or, flat surface visible.
Changes happened in this time and the extravagant grandeur of the court was no longer. The country was not as wealthy and people lived a much quieter presence.
Changes in social standings were occurring, the aristocracy began to marry the more humble but now wealthy middle classes, bankers, merchants etc. The grand mansions that once were ostentatious and full of extravagance were replaced by smaller more intimate homes.
This meant that the style of furniture had to change to meet the peoples new demands. It needed to be smaller, it stayed ornate but the once masculine forms were replaced by softer prettier feminine lines. Therefore the furniture became more elegant with more ornamental decoration.
Features of the Furniture during Louis 15th
1Fronts and sides of cabinets were curved in plan and elevation,.
2.Veneers were used,
3, The elaborate decoration that was usually inlaid and the guilded mounts in place of carving continued its trend.
4.The cabriole leg (French Version) was at it's most popular during this period.
5.The French had a more flowing shape, The shape flowed into the rails or had a concave curve upwards.
6.The foot was usually scrolled.
7.Timbers used at this time were, boxwood, rosewood, mahogany, walnut, tulipwood, sycamore and ebony.
8.Guilding and lacquering were also popular at this time.
There was a reaction to the elaborate Rococo work near the end of Louis 15th's reign and the revival of the classical spirit began in Louis 16th's reign.
The major feature of Louis 15th Furniture is the shaped work of the curves. This commenced in Louis 14th 's reign and was expanded upon to the extent that there was barely a straight line or, flat surface visible.
Louis 16th (1774-1793)
The reaction against the work of the 18th century as well as the continued financial difficulties of his predecessor created a new style of furniture.
The design became more refined, most of the shape work was removed and with the Queen's influence, (Marie Antoinette), who preferred the simpler forms a new style was developed.
In comparison to the English styles of the same period it was still very ornate, but compared with what had been previously in fashion it was very much simplified.
Features of the Louis 16th Furniture
1.The use of straight lines and flat surfaces with delicate, refined use of detail.
2.Guilded mounts were still popular, small mouldings and light carvings were now seen.
3.Timbers used at this time were, boxwood, rosewood, mahogany, walnut, tulipwood, sycamore, ebony and satinwood.
4.the cabriole leg was only used in a lighter form for small beaureaux and console tables
5.Introduction of Light turned legs or square tapered legs with recessed surfaces and guilded mount decoration"French Provincial".
There were lesser more subdued styles of the reigning fashion. These were made by tradesmen of the provinces and created some lovely pieces of which we still see in use today.
This style is commonly known as "French Provincial".
The design became more refined, most of the shape work was removed and with the Queen's influence, (Marie Antoinette), who preferred the simpler forms a new style was developed.
In comparison to the English styles of the same period it was still very ornate, but compared with what had been previously in fashion it was very much simplified.
Features of the Louis 16th Furniture
1.The use of straight lines and flat surfaces with delicate, refined use of detail.
2.Guilded mounts were still popular, small mouldings and light carvings were now seen.
3.Timbers used at this time were, boxwood, rosewood, mahogany, walnut, tulipwood, sycamore, ebony and satinwood.
4.the cabriole leg was only used in a lighter form for small beaureaux and console tables
5.Introduction of Light turned legs or square tapered legs with recessed surfaces and guilded mount decoration"French Provincial".
There were lesser more subdued styles of the reigning fashion. These were made by tradesmen of the provinces and created some lovely pieces of which we still see in use today.
This style is commonly known as "French Provincial".
Louis XV French Provincial Canapé
