Buying antiques in France is always an adventure. You're never quite sure what you might find, or how much you'll spend (prices and exchange rates fluctuate every season) or, in some instances, how you're going to manage to get things home. Occasionally, we stumble upon something really exceptional - so rare and extraordinary that you can hardly believe your luck. That is exactly what happened during our last buying trip. Jean-Marc and Jean-Noel came across an incredible GIANT monastery table (over 20 feet long!) and decided they just couldn't do without this once-in-a-lifetime purchase. And so the buying process began...
Here's a snippet from that serendipitous moment:
This beautiful Portuguese table did finally make to Austin, TX, into our gallery (as did it's sister table - the other long table you see in the clip above) and it stops people in their tracks. It's spectacular and gorgeous and we're pleased to share it with you. Enjoy!
Showing posts with label antique furniture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label antique furniture. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
A History of French Styles: Louis XVI
Louis XVI - 1770 to 1790
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.
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.
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.
For the first time, during the Louis XVI period, chairs were made for solely for decorative purposes rather than comfort or function.
See examples of Louis XVI style furniture in our inventory.
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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.
 |
| 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.
 |
| 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.
 |
| 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.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
A History of French Styles: Louis XV
Louis XV - 1730 to 1770
Louis XV reigned over the "Golden Age" of French decorative style. His rule was characterized by peace and prosperity during which the "Age of Enlightenment" brought about intellectualism and increasing influence by women of the court. Because of this, Louis XV style furniture (also known as rococo) was exquisite with graceful, feminine lines.
While the Baroque style of Louis XIV was focused on symmetry, rococo favored the asymmetry that came from the Régence era. Fruit woods and rosewood took the place of darker woods. Wood would often be painted or lacquered. Extravagant marquetry and veneers were used as well as ornamental, gilded bronze. Many themes were used in the rococo style and decorative motifs included foliage, flowers, shells, fish, birds, vines, hearts, and ribbons. Parisian homes of this period had large crystal chandeliers and mantels with mirrored painted panels (trumeaux).
Louis XV favored furniture suited to conversation. His chair maker (Jean-Baptiste Tilliard) created the bergère, a curved armchair with a low seat and an exposed wooded frame which was highly carved and often gilded. This elaborate decoration showed that the chair was meant to be free standing and movable rather than placed against a wall.
Other new pieces to appear in this period included the secrétaire (fall-front writing desk), table-à-écrire (writing table), and bureau-à-cylindre (roll-top desk).
See examples of Louis XV style furniture in our inventory.
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| French Louis XV style side tables. |
Louis XV reigned over the "Golden Age" of French decorative style. His rule was characterized by peace and prosperity during which the "Age of Enlightenment" brought about intellectualism and increasing influence by women of the court. Because of this, Louis XV style furniture (also known as rococo) was exquisite with graceful, feminine lines.
 |
| Louis XV style dining chairs |
While the Baroque style of Louis XIV was focused on symmetry, rococo favored the asymmetry that came from the Régence era. Fruit woods and rosewood took the place of darker woods. Wood would often be painted or lacquered. Extravagant marquetry and veneers were used as well as ornamental, gilded bronze. Many themes were used in the rococo style and decorative motifs included foliage, flowers, shells, fish, birds, vines, hearts, and ribbons. Parisian homes of this period had large crystal chandeliers and mantels with mirrored painted panels (trumeaux).
 |
| Hand-carved Louis XV period buffet. |
Louis XV favored furniture suited to conversation. His chair maker (Jean-Baptiste Tilliard) created the bergère, a curved armchair with a low seat and an exposed wooded frame which was highly carved and often gilded. This elaborate decoration showed that the chair was meant to be free standing and movable rather than placed against a wall.
Other new pieces to appear in this period included the secrétaire (fall-front writing desk), table-à-écrire (writing table), and bureau-à-cylindre (roll-top desk).
See examples of Louis XV style furniture in our inventory.
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