| £ | s. | d. | |
| Table, Louis XV., oblong, the legs are cabriole, it contains one drawer and a writing-slide; around the sides are inlaid panels of old Japanese lacquer, each panel bordered by elaborate scrollwork of chased ormolu, signed with "B. V. R. B.," surmounted by a slab of white marble, 39 in. wide. Christie, December 18, 1903 | 1900 | 0 | 0 |
| Writing-table, Louis XV., marquetry, with sliding top and drawer, fitted with movable writing slab, compartment for ink-vases, &c., signed "L. Doudin," Louis XV. form, with cabriole legs, the top decorated with scrolls forming panels, the centre one containing a Teniers figure subject, parquetry and inlays of flowers round the sides, corner mounts, &c., of ormolu, cast and chased, 30 in. wide. Christie, March 18, 1904 | 630 | 0 | 0 |
| Cartonnière, Louis XV., of inlaid tulip-wood, containing a clock by Palanson, à Paris, mounted with Chinese figures, masks, foliage and scrolls of chased ormolu, 48 in. high, 36 in. wide. Christie, April 22, 1904 | 409 | 10 | 0 |
| Secrétaires, pair, Louis XV., small marquetry, with fall-down front, drawer above and door below, inlaid with branches of flowers, and mounted with chased ormolu, surmounted by white marble slabs, 46 in. high, 22 in. wide. Christie, April 29, 1904 | 46 | 4 | 0 |
| Cabinet, Louis XV., parquetry, with folding doors enclosing drawers, mounted with ormolu, surmounted by a Brescia marble slab, 30 in. high, 44 in. wide. Christie, April 29, 1904 | 31 | 10 | 0 |
| Bergères, pair of Louis XV., corner-shaped, the frames of carved and gilt wood, the seats and backs covered with old Beauvais tapestry. Christie, May 18, 1904 | 420 | 0 | 0 |
| Settee, Louis XV., oblong, of carved and gilt-wood, covered with panels of old Beauvais tapestry, 3 ft. 8 in. wide. Christie, May 18, 1904 | 231 | 0 | 0 |
| Canapé, Louis XV., of carved and gilt wood, the borders carved with acanthus scrolls, the seat and back covered with old Beauvais silk tapestry, decorated, 4 ft. 6 in. wide. Christie, May 18, 1904 | 420 | 0 | 0 |
[1] By the kindness of the proprietors of the Connoisseur these items are given from their useful monthly publication, Auction Sale Prices.
VIII
FRENCH
FURNITURE.
THE PERIOD OF
LOUIS XVI
VIII
FRENCH FURNITURE. THE PERIOD OF LOUIS XVI
| Louis XVI. | 1774-1793. | 1730-1806. Riesener, ébéniste to Marie Antoinette (born near Cologne). 1789. Commencement of the French Revolution. |
The so-called Louis Seize period embraces much that is good from the later days of the previous reign. The same designers were employed with the addition of a few younger men. Caffieri and Riesener were producing excellent work, and above all was Gouthière, whose renown as a founder and chaser of gilded bronze ornaments is unrivalled. Elegance and simplicity are again the prevailing notes. Straight lines took the place of the twisted contortions of the rococo style. Thin scrolls, garlands, ribbons and knots, classical cameo-shaped panels, and Sèvres plaques form the characteristic ornamentation.