French furniture has been a mainstay of interior design for centuries. Meubles francais sur mesure are perfect for any room due to their elegance and style.
French classic furniture is characterized by feminine lines and cabriole leg designs. Add a touch of class to your furniture by adding carved or gilded details.
Furniture from France since the 18th Century
French furniture has been made for royalty and members the courts throughout history. This tradition has been carried on to the present day with many styles and patterns. Louis XV, Louis XVI and other styles are the most sought-after.
The early French furniture was a simple and utilitarian style. It was made to meet the needs of people at the time. This is why most of the furniture was made of oak. The wood was also heavy, making it difficult for thieves to steal.
This period saw the emergence of Gothic architecture, which influenced many furniture pieces. The point arch, trefoil, and linen folding were some of the elements that were incorporated into the design.
Another important characteristic of this era was that furniture featured many carved designs. This era saw the use of walnut and oak by craftsmen, but ebony was also employed.
The craftsmen of this era also had the ability to create furniture that was very opulent, with decorative themes depicting cherubs and scrolls. The opulence of this style was in part due to the fact that the middle class began to grow in this time, which fueled the demand for these pieces.
This era was also the first time that new types of woods were introduced to furniture. It was the first use of ebonized timber, and it also introduced cast Iron, paper mache and ivory decorate.
These were not the only new finishes. These included brass, gold, and silver. These new finishes added a touch of elegance to the furniture.
Some of these pieces were so beautiful that they were adorned with intricate carvings. These pieces were very valuable and would have been a prized possession.
The Empire style of furniture is one that was very common during this time, and was often made of mahogany and rosewood. It was not uncommon to see furniture covered in heavy brocade.
This style is elegant and dignified, but it wasn’t as extravagant as other styles. The pieces were also very large, and were a bit more symmetrical than other styles.
Fixed upholstery was also introduced during this time, which was a major innovation. Fixed upholstery allowed people the freedom to keep their furniture secure without worrying about it getting damaged or scratched.
Louis XIV
Louis XIV’s furniture was lavishly decorated with elaborate designs and lavishly gilded copper details. It also reflected growing French Baroque influence.
During Louis XIV, furniture makers were organized into guilds that regulated the work of artisans. This system led to higher standards of workmanship and allowed a greater variety of styles to be produced.
Louis XIV’s furniture had a distinctive characteristic: its extravagant decoration, which included gilded-bronze details such as suns and shells. It also included classical references, including acanthus leaves.
Ebony was the most popular type of marquetry. However, other colors and woods could be used to create intricate patterns. These were often engraved or painted and often featured trophies and picturesque scenes.
Louis XIV’s early commodes and chests were large and geometric with carved decorative elements like diamonds and other geometric shapes. At the end his reign, he introduced lighter-colored chests and new commodes. These were often carved in floral bouquets or other designs.
One of the most popular types of Louis XIV tables was the table de toilette, or dressing table. It featured small compartments and drawers and often had a folding mirror at the top.
Another popular Louis XIV table was the table en coeur, which had three legs with rollers on them, and a variety of drawers and compartments. It was especially designed for men.
Writing bureaus were very popular during Louis XIV. They were designed to double as a desk and a storage area for ink, paper and other accessories. They were made mostly of oak, walnut, or mahogany.
Louis XIV had a smaller dining room and drawing room than he had in the past, so he experimented with smaller furniture. These furniture types included tables that could be moved into an alcove, such as the Duchesse.
Many of these furniture styles were created in Louis XV style. They were primarily for royalty. These styles were created by many of the world’s most prominent ebenistes and menuisiers during this period.
Louis XV
The classic example of the French Baroque period, the Louis XV furniture style, is a classic example. It features extravagant decoration, including gilded-bronze details like suns, shells, and grotesques. It also incorporates classical references such as acanthus leaves.
Master cabinetmakers were the direct servants of the king and created the furniture of this era. Their goal was to create beautiful and unique pieces that combine design and utility. They worked mainly with noble woods, such as oak, rosewood, amaranth and other rosewood.
Asymmetrical shapes, curved legs, and decorative marquettes are some of the most distinctive characteristics of French furniture from this period. It was a time of growth in the country’s manufacturing, which led to innovations in design.
It began with the commode, which replaced the chest as a storage device with drawers and a surface that could double as a desk. This furniture was often made from oak and sometimes with additional mahogany, rosewood, or ebony inlays.
Later on, the designs for commodes changed during Louis XV’s reign. They were more discreet and contained. While the rocaille ornament was still present, it was less prominent. The writing table evolved from its earlier forms to more refined versions with leather tops, tapering legs, and neoclassicism.
These tables were decorated with a variety floral and geometric motifs. Sometimes, they were embellished with chiseled bronzes and horns. Some models were carved in the form of mythical creatures and dragons.
Other tables had a rounded or oval form, with a convex curved shape that added to the sensuality of the piece. They could also be placed in front a mirror so that it could be seen from both ends.
The Louis XV console tables were one of the most elaborately decorated furniture pieces of that era. They were usually made of oak with carved or gilded decorations. These were mostly used in the bedroom, but could also be found in living areas and dining areas.
The armoire and the table en-console were two of the most popular furniture styles during Louis XV. These two pieces were often combined to create a large furniture set.
They were often decorated with rocaille patterns, such as seashells or foliage, and had legs that were often modeled after Roman or Greek columns. They also included statuettes and porcelain objects.
Another interesting feature was the use marquetry, which was very common among cabinetmakers. These furniture pieces were made by inlaying exotic woods and mother-of pearl into the furniture.
These inlays were used by cabinetmakers to add intricate ornamentation on their furniture without spending a lot of money. The inlays also made it easier for the artisan to do their own work and not have to re-carve the inlays.