The Louis XIV Style

The Louis XIV style, also called French Classicism, was the style of architecture and decorative arts intended to glorify King Louis XIV and his reign.

The Louis XIV style is set between 1643 and 1710 and includes three distinct periods:

• Period 1 (still based on Louis XIII) – from 1643 to 1661.
• Period 2 – from 1661 to 1685
• Period 3 – from 1685 to 1710: it represents the peak of the Louis XIV style.

Furniture at this time no longer serves only the purpose, but becomes a decorative element. Decorative art, carpentry and cabinetmaking changed significantly during this reign. A gap appeared between the bourgeois and provincial furniture derived from the regional models of the 16th century and the furniture of the princely palaces imitated for the courtiers. The furniture also becomes more and more luxurious. The state furniture is richly decorated with veneers and inlays, and the famous André Charles Boulle, the king’s cabinetmaker, will be the reference for this style.

Typical of this period is furniture made of oak, ebony, walnut, blackened pear wood, but above all these woods are carved and gilded. The frames are made of solid wood and the hard inlays are very typical for this period.

There are two types of materials used:

• Of animal origin, such as horn, tortoise shell, mother of pearl, ivory and bone.
• Of mineral origin, such as copper, tin and silver.

Colored woods such as almond, holly, boxwood, St. Lucia wood, etc. are also used. These inlays are very delicate due to the different materials that develop differently due to variations in temperature and humidity, and are strengthened and protected by gilded bronze pieces:

Radiated mascarons placed in the center of the inlaid panel.
Cornices to protect the sides of the piece of furniture.
Locks, handles and wooden shoes.
Ornamental patterns under Louis XIV were rich, perfectly executed and symmetrical.

The most important were the following:

• Shells interpreted in various ways, the most classic being the pilgrim shell.
• Acanthus leaf
• Palmette
• Two intertwined L (the number of Louis XIV),
• Suns, which often have a woman’s head in their center,
• Tendrils
• Grids of squared lozenges studded with pearls or small flowers,
• trophies,
• draperies,
• ribbons and many others.

The feet at this time are either baluster, sheath or bracket feet, that is, they have a little emphasized S-shape. They end in a spinning top, a crushed ball, a claw, a lion’s paw or a cubic hoof and are often made of gilded wood or decorated with inlays. Plain or elaborately crafted, the braces are console-shaped and have a carved motif in the center.