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The most beautiful furniture in the world, the Louis XVI style
Although the reign of Louis XVI began in 1774 and finished in 1793, the French style that took his name for decoration and furnishing, had a longer, luckier life. The furniture of that period bloomed, thanks to the stylistic experience of the past years during the kingdom of Louis XV; the irregular Rococo shapes were renewed by new tastes, which were going to lead the furniture through the Revolution, the Directory and the first Empire, overtaking even the celebrity of politicians and events.
Undoubtedly the balance of the neoclassical style was the strongest symbol of the changing politics, and the most innovative taste in Louis XVI style. Halfway the 18° century the archaeological excavations gave new life to the ancient, classical world and enlightened a new way of thinking: its details despite being very elegant and solemn, didn’t forget the extreme pleasure of a certain way of living. They were perfect for a King. The excavations in Pompei and Ercolano renewed the philological research as well as the imagination; the ruins enlightened a vision of the private life in the Roman Empire with its everyday objects, which were able to modify the European taste. The echoes of these discoveries reached Paris thanks to a few lucky publications that put in evidence the perfect beauty of the classical world.
Like in any fresh, creative moment, that historical period denied the existing fashion and was very critical against the Rococo and its heavy ornaments. Many ideas went towards a more balanced, elegant and slim decoration, good materials and fabrics. In 1754, the same year of the birth of Louis XVI, the engraver Charles-Nicolas Cochin wrote a critical article on the magazine “Le Mercure Galant”, a request to the jewellers: “I beg you not to modify the use of simple things, a candlestick must be straight to carry a candle...”. He then continued asking the furniture makers: “Please, don’t force the wood into a sinuous, unnatural shape!”. A real invitation to a renewed neatness in lines and forms, a style that was a declaration of a change in the last monarchy of the ancient regime.
The wait
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Secrétaire (1780 circa).
(This piece of furniture belonged to Maria Antonietta)
Author: Jean Henri Riesener.
It is very particular and interesting due to its geometrical engraving, called "à treillage" or "à la reine"; probably Gouthieré made the bronzes, decorated with oak leaves, ribbons, flowers and horns of plenty, on the frames and the apron.
The two plaques in the centre and on the frieze (made by Clodion) represent the Sacrifice of Love plus a few anonymous figures.
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(A lifted reading-desk)
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(closed)
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Small desk (1784). Paris, Louvre Museum.
(This piece of furniture belonged to Maria Antonietta)
Author: Adam Weisweiler.
This ‘jewel’ was made for to the Saint-Cloud Castle by Daguerre, known as ‘marchand-mercier’, and influenced the decorative arts remarkably.
It is decorated with ebony and Chinese lacquers, which, if lifted, revealed the reading desk. There are bronzes made by Gouthiére.
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Working table (1781/87). Fontainebleau Castle.
(This piece of furniture belonged to Maria Antonietta)
Author: Jean Henri Riesener.
Riesener made this piece of furniture and it shows a rare bronze covering, with steel and mother-of-pearl. It was projected for the Queen’s boudoir, in Fontainebleau.
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Chest of drawers (1778 circa).
(This piece of furniture belonged to Maria Antonietta)
Author: Sclichtig Jean-Georges.
Sclichtig Jean-Georges made it with engraved mother-of-pearl veneering, with ivory and a few kinds of woods.
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Bonheur du jour (XVIII century ).
Author: Adam Weisweiller
A small piece of furniture especially created for women, made of lemon wood and decorated with porcelain plaques from Sèvres.
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A secretaire and a cabinet with caryatids.
Author: whose author was probably Adam Weisweiller.
It was made for the King’s cabinet in Versailles. It has panels in Chinese lacquer, the supports are in baluster shape, fluted and turned and stand on golden bronze spiral feet. There is the typical detail of the period: the intertwined transom, that connects the feet and the bronze, carved caryatids.
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Secrétaire (1775). Museum of Decorative Arts (Musèe des arts Dècoratifs), Paris.
Author: Jean Henri Riesener.
Dimensions: h. 128 w. 74 d. 43 cm.
The engraving framed inside a trapezoid is similar to the one showed on the commode by the same author.
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Secrétaire (1780). Wallace Collection.
(This piece of furniture belonged to Maria Antonietta)
Author: Jean Henri Riesener.
Dimensions:h. 144 w. 110 d. 45 cm.
The cock on the swing door symbolises the France, which watches over the concord (represented by the Caduceus, the winged stick that Hercules used to carry, the symbol of harmony and peace in the ancient world).
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Royal cylinder writing table (end of 18° century). Louvre Museum.
Author: Jean Henri Riesener.
This piece of furniture really justified the high price paid to the artist, Riesener, who made a wonderful example of Louis XVI style.
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Chest of drawers (1774).
Author: Jean Henri Riesener.
Dimensions: h. 96 w. 167 d. 64,5 cm.
Originally made by Riesener for the “Hotel de guardemeuble de la couronne”, at present day the Ministry of the Navy in Place de la Concorde, Paris.
It was among the bedroom furniture of the Marchioness Madame Randon de Pommery.
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Chest of drawers (1780). Wallace Collection.
(This piece of furniture belonged to Maria Antonietta)
Author: Jean Henri Riesener.
Dimensioni: h. 92 w. 107,3 d. 54,6 cm.
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Chest of drawers of the Concordat. Fontainebleau Castle.
Author: Jean Henri Riesener.
Dimensions: h. 98 w. 172 d. 64 cm.
Riesener made this piece of furniture and it was placed in the bedroom of the Pope Pio VII when he stayed in Fontainebleau in 1801.
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Chest of drawers (1778). Waddesdon Manor collection.
Author: Jean Henri Riesener.
Dimensioni: h. 100 w. 180 d. 67,3 cm.
Riesener created it for Madame Elisabeth, daughter of Louis XV, to be placed in Versailles.
If you find a piece of furniture like this one please don’t throw it away!
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Secrétaire (1779). Kunstgewerbemuseum, Berlin.
Author: David Roentgen.
Dimensions: h. 369 w. 152 d. 88 cm.
It was made by David Roentgen for Fredrick William II of Bavaria.
An incredible, monumental piece of furniture, full of secrets mechanisms to play the music.
Complex and very difficult to make, with exceptional, sumptuous engravings
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Secrétaire (1771). Ancienne collection Jean Lupu.
Author: Jean Henri Riesener.
The two engraved vases with flowers on the doors below are strangely equal and not specular as expected.
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Small table .
(This piece of furniture belonged to Maria Antonietta)
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Table for a salon (1780). Anciennne Collection Jean Lupu.
(This piece of furniture belonged to Maria Antonietta)
Author: Jean Henri Riesener.
Dimensioni: h. 76,5 w. 97,5 d. 54,5 cm.
The Queen charged Riesener to make the table for the Tuileries Palace.
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Chest of drawers (1784). Louvre Museum.
(This piece of furniture belonged to Maria Antonietta)
Author: Jean Henri Riesener.
Dimensioni: h. 87 w. 126 d. 57,5 cm.
Riesener made it for the Queen’s cabinet at the Tuileries Palace.
It is probably the most famous of her chests of drawers.
Who doesn’t like it?
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Chest of drawers (1776). Waddendon Manor, Rotschild collection..
Author: Jean Henri Riesener.
Dimensions: h. 95,6 w. 171 d. 65,1 cm.
Riesener made it for the Countess de Provence, in Versailles.
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http://www.madamedepompadour.com
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THE FURNISHING: The furniture of Maria Antonietta (Louis XVI)
