French Furniture History

Since medieval times, France has created some of the most refined and beautiful furniture in the world. Early on, the French aristocracy was obsessed with culture, beauty and social status, particularly when it came to fashion and interior decor. Local craftsmen and carpenters responded to this obsession by producing sophisticated furniture that was diverse in style and materials. Eventually, the French furniture craze spilled over the borders of France to influence furniture design across the world.

Medieval Era

During the Medieval era (the 10th to 15th centuries), French furniture basically met the needs of the people. Most of the furniture was simple in style and functional. The wood used at that time was mostly French oak and the pieces usually turned out very large and heavy, which discouraged theft. The basic decoration of this era was limited to deep carvings by hand that reflected architecture designs from churches and cathedrals.

The Louis Periods (1560 to 1792)

During each of the King Louis periods, French furniture evolved. Italian craftsmen began to influence design and the French country period began, which included rustic pieces that the less wealthy could afford. The famous "Os de Mouton" chair with upholstered seats and backs was also created, followed by heavy carving and gold leaf decoration styles. In the middle of this era, the Regency romantic style became popular, which included oriental themes and marble accents.

Directiore and Empire Eras

The Directiore and Empire eras that grew from the 1789 French revolution reflected Napoleon's grandeur and began to incorporate Egyptian and Grecian themes. The Empire style was marked by elements from architecture like pilasters and columns. Woods such as ebony and mahogany with dark finishes were commonly used alongside marble tops and Egyptian designs like griffins and sphinxes. Design from this period also routinely included the Napoleonic symbols--a large "N" and the bee.

King Charles X

After Napoleon's fall in 1814, the French wanted a return to their former comfortable lives. King Charles X was reinstated and French furniture design underwent more changes. The bold and geometric Empire style was softened and combined with whimsical or fantastical elements. Lighter and less dense woods came into use and furniture design became reminiscent of earlier styles that included floral marquetry or inlays and delicate rosettes. Charles was overthrown in 1830, sparking yet another design change.

Louis-Phillipe

Under the leadership of Louis-Phillipe, the Duke of Orleans (1830 to 1848), furniture craftsmen began to embrace the industrial revolution. The output of furniture increased and complete sets for the bedroom and dining room were added to production. The style of this era was largely a combination of designs from the past, such as Renaissance, Medieval and Louis XIII styles. Woods like rosewood and mahogany were commonly used and a greater overall emphasis was placed on function rather than style.

Art Nouveau and Art Deco

The late 1800s brought the Art Nouveau movement into French furniture design. It was characterized by stylized forms and sinuous outlines of nature objects like leaves, vines and flowers. The Art Deco style emerged during 1910 and simplified the elaborate look of Nouveau. Deco adopted the use of exotic woods and new finishes like metals, mother of pearl, ivory, lacquers and plastics. The Art Deco style lapsed during the 1930s, but saw a revitalization in the 1960s.