| STYLE |
DATES |
INFLUENCES |
CHARACTERISTICS |
DECORATIVE ELEMENTS |
CREATIONS |
First
Renaissance
Francis I |
1515-1547 |
Italian wars
Italian Renaissance
Influence of antiquity |
Very elaborate decoration
Walnut the favored wood |
Medallions with heads
in profile
Pilasters with foliated scrolls |
Cupboard
Two-story tables
Many-drawered cabinets
Patten table |
Second
Renaissance
Henry II |
1547-1559 |
Italian wars
Italian Renaissance
Influence of antiquity |
More quiet than Francis I
Walnut the favored wood |
Sharp relief
Fluted columns and pilasters |
Credenza
Cupboard
Two-story tables
Many-drawered cabinets
Patten table |
Henry IV
Louis XIII |
1589-1610
1610-1643 |
Wars of Religion
Protestant austerity
Italy
Spain
Low countries |
Austerity
Extreme simplicity
Ponderousness |
Cartouches
Draperies
Cherubs heads
Clusters of fruits
Inlays
Geometric arrangements
Baluster leg
Wreathed column
String of balls |
Tables with H-shaped
cross bars
Upholstered seats
Pewter and/or copper inlays
Ebony veneering |
| Louis XIV |
1643-1715 |
Military conquests |
Unity
Majesty
Distinction
Andres Boulle's tortoise shell
and brass inlaid pieces
Gilt bronze |
Veneers
Trophies
Jig-saw moldings
Twin L's
Lambrequin
Rayed mask
Scallop shells
Cross-pieces
Scroll work |
Chest of Drawers (Boulle)
Console tables
Settees
Day beds
Eight-legged writing tables
Grandfather's chairs
Four poster beds |
| Regence |
1715-1723 |
Reaction against restraint
Loosening of morals after Louis XIV's death |
Affectation
Lines of Louis XIV persist
but lose rigidity
Symmetry preserved |
Fabric patterns of checks
with flowerets
Espagnolettes
Open lattice work
Shells |
Hinged-top writing desks
Grandfather clock
Scribanne Buffet
Buffet with regulateur
Chest of drawers w/ cross bow |
| Louis XV |
1723-1774 |
Italian Baroque style
Eastern art
Natural history
Turkish and Chinese objects
and cabinets
Creation of Guilds |
Fantasy
Asymmetry
Deckle-edged contours
An abhorrence of straight lines |
Rocaille of various elaboration
Rich textures
Marquetry
Asymmetrical patterns
Beribboned reeds
Bill-shaped molding |
Chest of drawers no cross bow
Secretaires
Chiffoniers
Powdering tables
Study arm chairs
Card tables
Backgammon tables |
| Louis XVI |
1774-1793 |
Discovery of Pompeii
Antiquity returns to fashion |
Return to symmetry
Use of straight lines, not curved
Taste for nature |
Canted angles
Angles with ressauts
Ovolo
Hearts
Beads
Flutings
Bows and ribbons
Caryatids
Molding with conge Mahogany comes into use |
Roll-top desks
Combined chest of drawer
with Secretaire
Chiffoniers
Escritoirs
Bouillotte tables
Tronchin tables
Sideboards
Dumbwaiters
Half-moon chests |
Directoire
Consulate |
1795-1799
1799-1804 |
Abolition of Guilds makes for more freedom but less careful workmanship
Expedition of Egypt |
Freedom and fantasy
Greek and Roman styles
Greek vase inspires shapes
Egypt is fashionable
Painted woodwork (often in gaudy colors) |
Decoration heightened with camaieus
Seats with voluted shaped backs
Rhombs
Arrows
Porcelain plaques
Claw-shaped legs |
No new types |
| Empire |
1804-1815 |
Antiquity strong
Inspirations taken from David, the painter, Percier and Fontaine, the architects. |
Sobriety
Majesty
Square outlines
No carvings
No moldings
Square-edged angles Mahogany predominates
Spade-shaped and tilt-backed chairs |
Eagle
Swan
Lyre
Bee
Swords
Palmette
Sphinx
Shields
Ringed or demi-columns |
Wash stands
Boat-shaped beds
Mirrored wardrobes
Dressing tables
Bookcases
Couches
Knee-hole writing tables
Flower stands
Three legged, and one legged, pedestal tables |