Empire Furniture History Napoleon’s Rule and Influence Empire furniture arose during the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte over the First French Empire, which lasted from 1804 to 1814. A strong military leader and ruler, Napoleon was intensely aware of the value of the arts as tools for propaganda. He promoted the developing Empire style as he […]
French Furniture History: The Directoire Style From 1789 to 1804, French furniture took a sharp turn, condemning anything associated with the Ancien Régime. Previously predominant themes revolving around royal extravagance, noble power, and privilege were now perceived negatively. Repressed by the revolutionaries, furniture guilds were no longer able to ensure the same degree of […]
The History of Danish Furniture Denmark is the smallest country in Scandinavia, but despite its size, Danish furniture stands as the standard for Scandinavian furniture makers in Northern Europe. Thanks to the country’s numerous forests, cabinetmakers had a steady supply of natural materials, resulting in most Danish furniture to be exclusively made out of wood. […]
Gustavian Style & 18th-Century Swedish Design Minimalist, light-filled interiors, and functional design are hallmarks of modern-day Scandinavian design. However, these qualities developed centuries ago with the Gustavian style. Like other countries, the history of Swedish furniture and design ties into the rise of Neoclassicism and French influence. Gustavian design describes the more subdued interpretation of […]
André-Charles Boulle A.C. Boulle was born November 11, 1642, and died February 28th, 1732, in Paris, France. Regarded as one of France’s most prestigious cabinetmakers, his artistry took Europe by storm during the 18th and 19th centuries. As the dominating authority in marquetry (also known as inlay), it is no wonder how he earned the […]
A Brief History of the Dressing Table Vanity, duchess, commode, poudreuse, boudoir, lowboy–the dressing table has many nicknames. And throughout history, this piece of furniture has had about as many phases as names. Though you may not think about it, dressing tables have a rich and vibrant history. It’s a history that has more to […]
Louis XVI Furniture History From 1760 to 1790, the graceful curves of Rococo faded out of fashion, and Louis XVI style took its place. This is new style emerged during the reign of King Louis-Auguste (1774-1793). Like its Baroque predecessor, it focused on straight lines and included motifs inspired by the classical age. While Louis […]
Louis XIV Furniture: History And Context At the age of four, Louis XIV became King of France, although he didn’t rule until he was 23. His 72 years as king is one of the most notable in history. Louis’s life as a child monarch was lavish. However, the many rebellions against his mother and chief minister […]