Louis XVI Antique Furniture

The Louis XVI style is much appreciated nowadays, by the lightness of its forms, as well as by the grace of dimensions. The straight line, visible in the fine feet, and fine gildings characterize it particularly.

The ornaments are more discrete and wiser: rosettes, pinecones, pearls, rods. Marquetry adopts new decors, such as the checkerworks or stars. Bronzes are gilded and engraved, and break with lightness the monotony of the straight lines. The cambered feet of the preceding styles are replaced by strait feet, and show various forms (in quiver, sheath or spinning top) but remain sober. The top of the feet is often decorated with a cube

The seats are numerous under Louis XVI. The decors are square, in medallion or cocked hat. The armrest, which had been abandoned because of the dresses with panniers, advances up to the level of the foot. Gildings are numerous and the fabrics decorated with rosettes or nodes of ribbons

Known pieces of furniture are transformed by respecting this new style. We find in particular many secretaries (of which the use spreads), tables for various uses or of commode (server commodes, half-moon commodes).