Louis Xiv Furniture Characteristics

The era of king louis xiv or louis quatorze marked the definite end of the renaissance period in france and the beginning of a series of distinct period furniture styles the first being the enormously influential baroque.

Louis xiv furniture characteristics.

The french were the main adopters of the baroque style. However toward the end of the louis xiv period the furniture was slightly reduced in size and more appealing. The louis xiv style was predominant between 1643 and 1715. 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.

Artists and craftsmen followed suit resulting in furnishings that were highly ornate often gilded and decidedly. 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. Seating became more intimate and comfortable and plentiful decoration in the form of veneers gilt bronze and wood marquetry was popular. Every aspect of furniture production was affected.

Restrictions were imposed on the gilding of wall paneling and furniture and the gobelins manufactory was closed between 1694 and 1699. 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. In this era great furniture designers and cabinet makers thrived. The primary characteristics of the louis xiv style of french furniture include.

In 1699 a decorative scheme of wall painting was proposed for the apartment of the duchesse de bourgogne louis xiv s granddaughter in law. During the early part of the louis xiv period the furniture is best described as heavy and cumbersome. However some of the characteristics of louis xvi furniture were brought forward from the previous louis styles. Common pieces included bookcases cane chairs chaise longues and drop front secretaries.

If the louis xiv furniture style was designed with the glorification of the sun king in mind and all in massive masculine square form the louis xv furniture style is the complete opposite. The louis xvi furniture era in some ways was a rather dramatic change bringing on a more delicate and dainty appearance to the style of furniture. Louis the xiv s reign marked the end of the renaissance and the rise of this very influential style often considered the most magnificent of the french period styles writes the v a. The royal treatment there s a reason louis xiv was known as the sun king.

During this period furniture began to exhibit characteristics of the rococo style.