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| Louis XVI Mahogany and Marble Buffet from France |
The Louis XVI period marked a return to symmetry, straight lines and classical ornamentation. In 1748, the unearthing of Pompeii brought about a classical revival in furniture making. This Neo-Classical style offered a contrasting response to the Rococo of Louis XV which came to be thought of as frivolous.
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| Louis XVI style bouillotte side table in mahogany |
While the motifs of the natural world survived (garlands, urns, laurels, dolphins and eagles), they were paired with geometric designs. One of the popular woods of the period was mahogany, which had to be imported and was therefore used only for fine furniture. Instead of the cabriole leg of the Régence and Louis XV periods, a straight, tapered and (often) fluted leg was preferred.
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| Louis XVI mahogany petite armoire |
Case pieces, such as commodes and buffets, became more angular. Chairs of the period were fashioned in a wide variety of styles. The medallion and oval backed chairs are the most notable, although lyre or vase shaped backs were also common.
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| Louis XVI Salon |
For the first time, during the Louis XVI period, chairs were made for solely for decorative purposes rather than comfort or function.
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| Louis XVI style brass side tables |
See examples of Louis XVI style furniture in our inventory.
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