Baroque Style

The Rococo period of French Style began in 1715, during the reign of Louis XV. The word Rococo simply means rocks and shells. This was a time of tranquility and enlightenment, but most importantly a time when women gained notable power. As a result, the Rococo period was characterized by its use of pastels and feminine designs. The flowing, free-form curves and delicate details provided a sense of openness and a fresh outlook compared to the more heavily decorated rooms of the Baroque period. The furniture introduced during this time included roll top desks, dressing tables, the console and mirror, and the commode, amongst other pieces. Most commode tables were made with cherry wood because of the fine grain and its easy to carve nature. Often …show more content…
Everyone wanted to out do their neighbor, so to speak. Columns were being used on the fronts of homes, as were pilasters. The insides of homes were comprised of heavier woods than before, such as mahogany. The Empire period of French Style incorporated a lot of Egyptian designs and architecture. There were many classic designs being reintroduced in this design style such as Greek, Egyptian, and some Roman. The use of Asymmetrical designs and gigantic symbols really set the scene for this period. The lion was modeled and used in many different designs, such as the Lion's paw foot and for table supports. Some of the more popular symbols in this time were sphinxes, bees, and large initals such as I and N. Many consoles and table supports incorporated these symbols. The French Empire bed and the X-stool were new elements which were both elaborately decorated, yet functional to the user. A number of pieces had rounded features because it was an easy design and there were tools which sped up the production. Easy production of these pieces with rounded features meant that they were more affordable for the average household. This period of style was beautiful and bold but what was to come would stand the test of …show more content…
This style was comprised of four different periods, all with different characteristics. The Rococo period was very elegant and decorative to accomodate the new power that the women of the time had gained. The Neoclassic period used less feminine ornamentation but replaced it with Roman influences. The Empire period was very over the top and accomodating to the return of some of the previously popular styles used by the Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks. Finally, the Provincial period was simple and timeless. It was intented for the middle and lower class people, as well as, merchants. Needless to say, there was something for everyone during the French