The History of European Furniture

Different countries produce different types ofThe term means ornamented with shells and
woods. And produces different type of furniturescrollwork and similar patterns, and until one
each unique in their own styles. And thegrows accustomed to it, the dictionary definition
development of these different styles of woodof 'tastelessly florid or ornate' may often be
products was also due to the encouragementsthought to apply. To our eyes it is noticeable
from their rulers and influential people.principally for a generous use of curved. lines, and
Furniture made on the mainland of Europe variedan 'unbalanced' look. Out of its elaborate setting
from country to country, but both craftsmen andthere is no doubt that Louis XV furniture appears
ideas were interchanged from time to time. Localvery showy, but when it is seen in the rooms for
tastes and the use of local timbers often played awhich it was designed it takes its place
part in creating a fashion that spread eventuallyunobtrusively in the decorative scheme.
from east to west. There is no space here toThe French had a liking during the eighteenth
deal with the detailed history of the subject incentury for small tables and cabinets, chests of
each individual land, but some general notes maydrawers (called commodes), large writing tables
be helpful. French furniture, having attained awith leather-covered tops having a row of
worldwide interest and importance, is described atdrawers beneath and tall legs, and upright cabinets
greater length.with drop-down fronts concealing a writing space.
FranceVeneering was the usual decoration, aided by
French furniture of the sixteenth and seventeenthparquetry and marquetry set off with ormolu
centuries is not greatly different from that mademountings. When compared with the sophisticated
elsewhere in Europe at those dates. However, theoutside appearance, most of the pieces exhibit
principal wood used in England was oak, but invery rough finishing of the woodwork not usually
France it was walnut, which was plentiful there.seen, and a glance at the inside or underneath of
Just as many foreign workers came to London,a piece will prove this.
so did others to Paris; it is almost impossible toMany of the small tables and cabinets are
distinguish an Italian-made cabinet from one madesupported on delicately curved cabriole legs so
in France by an Italian craftsman. It was not untilslight that it is a wonder they can stand without
the end of the seventeenth century that Frenchbreaking. Chests of drawers always have a slab
furniture gained its recognizable distinction. Theof colored marble as the top, and many other
first to give his name to a style there was Andrepieces are similarly finished. Chairs and settees
Charles Boulle (1642-1732), who perfectedwere carved usually of beech-wood, sometimes
marquetry, originating in Italy, employingfinished with gilding and sometimes painted in pale
tortoiseshell and brass which was used mostly oncolors. Mirror-frames were gilt, and are often very
furniture veneered with ebony. This is known nowlike English ones of the same date.
either as Boulle or Buhl work, and the majority ofDifferent countries used different types of
it that has survived was made in Victorian times,woods. In England they mostly used the oak, but
or later. Old work of the eighteenth century isin France it was walnut, which was plentiful there.
very valuable ($3,000 to $6,000 for a piece wouldSome time the cabinet made in Italia and France
not be considered extraordinary), but theare difficult to distinguish from one another. There
nineteenth-century copies fetch a tenth or so ofwere great differences in their price tags as well
this.with their production ages. Monarch Louis XV
Louis XVextravagant furniture designs known as Rococo.
This monarch has his name coupled with the mostHe designs different styles of furniture with
extravagant of furniture designs, known asdifferent types of woods that suits his tastes.
Rococo; a style that spread throughout Europe.