Hiding in her room, she shivered knowing she was soon to be convicted of thievery. A crime by the government of France against the people of France.
Marie Antoinette 1783 Portrait
Is the crime one of this regime, Louis XVI and his Lass, or is it a crime of near bankruptcy through the opulence of their predecessors, Louis XIV and Louis XV? The crime of taking the taxes of the people to buy the latest fashions and furnishings for the kings and queens of France. Louis and Marie were young and foolish, he fifteen, she fourteen when they married.
Louis XVI Portrait
After donning the crown in 1774, they built monuments to themselves, imported porcelain, had fabrics woven to their specifications, cabinetry designed and created by the high paid Ebénisters (high-grade cabinet makers). The economy spiraled downward (unemployment in Paris in 1788 is estimated at 50%), crops failed, the price of bread and other food soared. The people were not happy. To top it off, Louis had the misfortune to marry a foreigner, the Austrian Marie Antoinette. The anger of the French people, fueled by xenophobia, targeted Marie as a prime source of their problems. Le Petit Trianon at Versailles was fashioned and furnished for Marie, Louis’ Lass, in the Neoclassical style.
Neoclassical - end of Rococo's curves of the past
A style eliminating the curves of the past. You can identify a Louis XVI chair easily by the typical chair leg. It is straight with fluting and rosette in a square on the top corner of the leg. Although these chairs pictured here, are dark, furniture of the period is often painted white, and upholstered in needlepoint, silk, damask, and velvet upholstery.
Occasionally chair backs have wood carvings of various motifs like garlands and ribbons.
This furniture took the skill of many talented Ebénisters. Costs were high. The money used did not belong to royalty. Louis and his lass lost their heads for robbing the people.
If you want to buy a chair in this style, would you know what to look for? Can you identify the rosette in the square on the top of the leg?
Thank you for showing us an easy “tell” to ascertain the difference between furniture of the two periods. You really have a gift for finding ways of showing Philistines like me how to recognize classic, quality design. IMO, you are the Design Whisperer, Gail. Thank you.
Thank you Rhonda. Some strange happenings here. Hopefully my web designer can fix.
Hi Gail,
Let’s see if the comment works now. I have been to Versailles. The palace is grand and the landscape is beautiful, but the interior was totally gaudy and opulent. Loved the hall of mirrors and hearing about all the secret passage ways and the fake naval battles on the lake. All this while the majority of their subjects were starving. If I can dig my pictures out, I’ll bring them to the next meeting.
Gerri, thank you. I would love to see your pictures of Versailles. This blog is still not working correctly. I think it needs an update.
Hi Gail, I hope this one gets through
It is better, but needs updating. Thanks Marian.
It seems politics has not changed much over the centuries. At least not nearly as much as furniture:-) Great post, my friend!
Thanks Paula. This thing is jumping around, it is not working properly. Me thinks my web designer has to update my WordPress.
Gail,
As long as my head is still attached to my body, I think I can identify a Louis XV and Louis XVI chair. Thanks for your help!
-Jillian
P.S. I also appreciate your answering my question about the bergère chair. My heroine, Marguerite, has received many compliments on her choice of the gold damask fabric.
Whew, this is a relief, thanks for the post Paula.
Hi Janet, thank you, I appreciate the update and good news. When is your book to be published?