King Louis Xiv Furniture

Andre charles boulle invents his boulle marquetry using tortoise shell copper and brass.

King louis xiv furniture. The king s comments helped to generate a reaction against the pompous aspects of the louis xiv style and to introduce a lighter approach to the decorative arts. Artists and craftsmen followed suit resulting in furnishings that were highly ornate often gilded and decidedly. Because of his young age france was ruled by a regent philippe of orleans until 1723 during this period the style of furniture changed little from the louis xiv period. In the image of the sun king louis xiv furniture is synonymous with grandeur and brilliance.

The louis xiv style 1661 1700 is lavish comprising objects in solid silver and furniture in gilt and lacqueur. Increasingly dining room tables came into use. Furniture created during the reign of king louis xvi favored a more rustic feeling than previous eras. With the death of louis xiv on 1 september 1715 his grandson louis xv born in 1710 became king.

Precious materials are used such as lapis lazuli agate marble ivory. Formality still prevailed but the shapes and outlines of furniture had began their stiffness compare 1986 38 1 and 1982 60 82. Symmetry reigns classicism is on display. Seashells acanthus leaves rosettes ribbons egg and dart or pearl shaped friezes fluting.

Shop louis xiv furniture at 1stdibs the world s largest source of louis xiv and other authentic period furniture. Oak walnut ash mahogany ebony porcelain copper steel bronze marble. The mastermind behind the gilded glory of versailles louis xiv whose long reign lasted from 1643 to 1715 felt that his surroundings should mirror the divine power of the monarchy itself. Termed the goût grec when it emerged circa 1750 louis xvi style reflects a reaction against the florid stylings of the previous era and according to some historians a nostalgic impulse for the grandeur of the louis xiv s reign during the second half of the 18th century french furniture underwent a neoclassical revision.

Louis xiv furniture was massive and lavishly covered with sculpture and ornament of gilded bronze in the earlier part of the personal rule of king louis xiv of france 1660 1690. After about 1690 thanks in large part to the furniture designer andré charles boulle a more original and delicate style appeared sometimes known as boulle work it was based on the use of marquetry the inlay of. The royal treatment there s a reason louis xiv was known as the sun king. Mahogany was popularized and turning came back into fashion as a means for decoration.

The ornamentalists draw their inspiration from the art of antiquity and create new motifs. It was massive lavishly decorated and solemn designed for the gigantic state halls of the new palace of versailles.