French Style Furniture from Mahogany

French style furniture was rare during the Middle Ages, and this was even in the wealthiest households. Medieval people had to seek a suitable alternative for places where people could sit, and this ranged from storage chests to bulky high-backed chairs that had chests beneath the sets.

Renaissance was heralded in the region of North Italy during the fourteenth century. During the late 15th century, the French invaded Italy and this led to inevitable closeness with the Burgundy court as a result of which the French came into contact with the paintings and the indomitable spirit of creativity that was prevalent in the Northern and Italian Renaissance. Under the influence of Henri II, style was rendered with a somber look. In place of chests, cabinets were dominant. Chairs were primarily padded and cupboards with many doors could be seen and the tables were also intricately carved.

During the reign of Philippe II, duc d'Orléans, in the Regence era, there was a marked progression from the renowned rectilinear kind of french style furniture that was mainly in the Louis XIV style and it changed to the flat, curving motifs in Rococo forms that were characteristic of the Louis XV style. The primary woods like Walnut, rosewood, and mahogany enabled changes in the realm of veneering.

During the reign of LOUIS XVI, the style that was primarily renowned was the Neo Classical style. This style was manifested in the form of plainer as well as a lesser ornate design related with french stye furniture in mahogany. Chair backs were mainly in oval, rectangular or shield form. The characteristic motifs of this era include the lyre fluted legs that resemble Roman columns with its typical square blocks and designs like rosettes that are to be found at the surface of the legs, urns and the columns.

French Style Furniture Periods

The Empire period witnessed the revival of French traditional furniture in mahogany as well as ebony that is distinguished by means of its distinct finishes that were prevalent with fancy bronze mounts. The Egyptian motifs were renowned like the sphinxes, griffins,
urns and eagles and other Napoleonic emblems such as the eagle, the bee could also be found in the furniture of that era.

During the restoration period, the style of marquetry was revived with a flourish. The designs that were chiefly seen during that period include patterned flowers, garlands and the favorite, rosettes. Mahogany was prevalent during this era and was chiefly used in the construction of furniture and in the field of shapes, curves once again made an appearance.

Louis Philippe French Style Furniture Designs

During the reign of Louis Philippe(:1830 – 1848), pieces assumed a better rounded shape as machine tools gained popularity and enabled better access and quicker carvings pertaining to that shape. Mahogany was a widely prevalent wood and the effect of that age can be found in the carvings. During the reign of Napoleon III, there was again a change in antique French furniture, as it was inspired by elements from all the existing styles. The furniture production shifted from excellent and skilled craftsmen to a predominantly mechanized arena.

This is the history of the furniture as seen during the French Period. The effects of that period can be witnessed in the carvings, the floral motifs and in the designs.