the history

Furniture of the middle ages was designed to be practical. It was frequently quite big, heavy and
not complex.

This early furniture followed the lines. Very few pieces of furniture from this age were carved, just
those crafted to show off wealth.

Renaissance 1500-1610
During the renaissance age, French craftsmen started to create shabby chic chandeliers with
deeply carved and ornate designs. Cupboards and many Buffets were made to seem like modest
buildings with influence from Greek architecture or Roman.

Italian layout greatly affected French furniture during the Louise XIII era. The common motif was
solid, and massive.

In this era furniture was expected to be both beautiful and comfortable. Fixed upholstery became
one of the great inventions of the era with furniture.

Louis XIV 1640-1715
During this age there was an increasing fascination with the Far East and all things Asian.

The most outstanding furniture of this age was excessive and exceptionally comprehensive
drawers.

Regence 1715-1730
Regence style furniture was affected by an architect and cabinetmaker hired by the acting regent
to Louis XIV who decorated his apartment.

Regence was the era that flats came into being. Lighter, more graceful furniture was introduced
by the smaller scale of these dwellings. Asymmetrical curved lines replaced symmetrical straight
lines and simple wood veneer rather than wood inlay that was extravagant.

Women of the court determined by the increasing sway Louis French design furniture,
introducing furniture that was exquisite with graceful, female lines.

Predominant attributes in this era of furniture included seat frames with ribbon twist mouldings
were introduces and squared corners on tables and cupboards instead of curved, legs were
straight.

Directoire 1790-1805
This style of French furniture signified a break from munificent royal styles of the past. Designs
were more subdued and themes of antiquity and nature featured less.

This era's furniture moved away from geometric patterns and figures that were female and
sculpted started to comprise Grecian urns. Notable characteristics of the era were the Etruscan
motifs such as palm leaves that are stylised and creatures. Other motives were determined by the
French revolution and comprised torches, wreaths and other warlike emblems.

Empire 1805-1815
Empire furniture is decorated with brass and gold coloured alloy for example copper, zinc and tin
and typically large.

The furniture of the age rounded shapes that were romantic and featured bold symmetrical
designs replacing elaborate carvings. Empire artists were also inspired by the ancient Greco-
Roman interval with cosmetic components including swans griffins, wreaths and urns. Motifs
applied to symmetrical structures and were cast in bronze.

The Restoration 1815-1830
The restoration coincided with the industrial revolution where the procedure in furniture making
transformed. At exactly the same time middle class was raising the need for furniture.

The styling of the empire furniture stayed yet, the rigid contours became a lively touch and softer
was added. Common themes of the era comprised swans, musical instruments, rosettes and
cornucopia. The restoration era also saw the yield of wood inlay being used to decorate the
furniture.

Louise Philippe 1830-1850
Until now furniture was sold piece by piece. The industrial revolution brought new creation
processes, craftsmen began to make furniture sets for the bedroom and dining room.

Furniture of this era kept the simple, rounded lines of the restoration era, but with less
ornamentation. A defining characteristic was the soft curve at the top of buffets, chests and
wardrobes.

Furniture from this age took sway from the previous 500 years of French style. It was not
uncommon to see several furniture styles combined into a single furniture piece.

Furniture of this age saw the introduction of comfortable chaise seats, ottomans and coffee
tables. Furniture incorporated mother-of pearl whimsical forms, and generally comprised cast iron,
paper mache or ivory inlay.

Art Nouveau 1880-1920
This style of furniture originated in England, which revived handcrafted furniture and craft in the
arts and craft movement.

Shabby chic chandeliers of this age continued using curved lines that were flowing and
asymmetrical shapes that were re-introduced reminiscent of the Louise XV interval. Noteworthy
attributes of the age comprised, elements of dream and motifs taken from Japanese prints, Gothic
architecture and symbolic paintings of English influence.

Art Deco 1920-1940
The Empire and Louise XVI intervals determined the Art Deco style. Furniture was frequently
decorated with geometric shapes and Egyptian inspired motifs.