Distinctive Traits of Louis XV Style in Furnishings

Lo Louis XV style it is a style of architecture and decorative arts that was born in France during the first part of the reign of Louis XV, that is, in the years from 1710 to approximately 1730.
This period is known as regency, since while waiting for the king - still a minor - to ascend the throne, Philip II of Orléans was appointed as regent.

It is a style that can be considered as aextension of the Louis XIV style, great-grandfather and predecessor of King Louis XV, who it goes through different phases evolving and developing.
From around 1730 to around 1750, in fact, it became more original, decorative and exuberant, transforming into what was known as the rockery and which marks the beginning of the movement rococo European.

From 1750 until the king's death in 1774, however, it became more sober and orderly, starting to show the influences of neoclassicism.

The main characteristics of the Louis XV style

The Louis XV style, therefore, established itself during the regency, approaching and fitting into a style, rococo, born in France and capable of infecting the entire continent with its originality.
Already then also known by the name of rockery, stands out from the Baroque for its lightness and the search for elegant but asymmetrical shapes.

Characterized by a strong indulgence for the whim and fantasy, sees imagination and the exaltation of the good life as its basis, playing with rocks, shells, flowers and leaves as decorative elements.
Rococo manages to successfully establish itself in almost every aspect of the artistic and cultural world of the time, influencing the works of French artisans from around 1720 to 1755-60.

From 1730 the movement was expanded and accelerated from the work of ornamentists such as Gilles Marie Oppenord and Jules Aurèle Meissonnier, who were among the principal designers of these more extravagant forms.
In particular he stood out Gaudreaux, a staunchly devoted craftsman who became one of the leading cabinetmakers in the service of the Crown.

Within this frame I Louis XV style it does nothing but take up the characteristics of rococo by reworking them and giving life to a subset with its own distinctive features.
Here the rococo appears in fact as subdued and simplified, where the initial hardness and agitation of the sinuous curves give way to a wider and more peaceful rhythm.

We free ourselves from the exaggerations of rockery to give space to a perfected Louis XV style which provides a more moderate use of curved lines and less imaginative ornaments.

Louis XV style in the furnishings

In the eighteenth century theart of hosting people privately, giving importance to comfort and practicality: a habit that was unknown until then and which brought about big changes in the world of furnishings.
Rooms are reduced to a more reasonable size, while i Louis XV style furniture, they become smaller, more comfortable and perfectly adapted to human needs.

The Louis XV style furniture

Furthermore, for craftsmen, one becomes easily available great variety of native and exotic woods which allows the pictorial inlay to flourish and assert itself.
The main subjects are the Floral decorations, but space is often also given to trophies, landscapes and realistic representations of household utensils.

The taste and character with which the furniture is made are typical of 18th century France, but the great enthusiasm for the oriental lacquer leads cabinetmakers to incorporate imported panels or European copies into bronze structures.
I furniture is signed with the artisans' initials and it is therefore common to find letters under the marble top of dressers, on the frames of chairs and tables or in other positions that do not compromise their appearance.

Looking specifically at the furnishings, we notice something important improvement of mechanical devices which helps to successfully spread the multifunctional furniture.
Any examples? The tables which, thanks to complex locking devices, become toilets, writing or sewing tables.

Louis XV style tables

I tables they become simpler and lighter, maintaining the cabriole legs as a common feature and manifesting all those brilliant and versatile qualities which marked the achievements of the Parisian artisans of the golden age.
Di infinite variety and with a wide range of names, these elegant tables began to multiply from around 1750 onwards, seeing the empty pocket (empties pockets), i greenhouses-bijoux (jewelry tables) and the bedside tables (bedside tables).
In boudoirs and living rooms, however, small tables are the norm à ouvrages – or work tables – called tricoteuses o chiffonnieres.

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Louis XV style writing desks

Speaking of writing desks, the simplest model in the Louis XV style is the grand plan of desk.
Although the flagship is certainly represented by the cylinder bureau, introduced around mid-century and probably created by Oeben.
Next to these greats desk masculine, they are numerous too desk for female use, refined and embellished with delicate inlays and bronzes, like the bonjour du jour. 

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The Louis XV style dresser

The Louis XV style dresser embodies the elegance and luxury of the French 18th century with its sinuous shapes, elaborate ornamentation and fine materials. Featuring elegant curves, contoured feet and detailed decorative hardware, this furniture piece reflects an era of opulence and sophistication. Often made from woods such as walnut, cherry or mahogany, the Louis XV dresser is a symbol of prestige and style, while also offering practical functionality with its multiple stacked drawers, ideal for storage. In short, it is an icon of handcrafted beauty and sophisticated design, which continues to enchant lovers of vintage furniture.

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The Louis XV style sofa

In the design of Louis XV chairs and armchairs every element seems to flow, or merge into each other without any feeling of separation.
Molded chair structures are often improved with rich floral carvings, leaves and shells and the armchairs are upholstered with silk, satin and printed fabrics.

The chairs are light and great attention is paid to comfort: it is in fact important that there is space for the voluminous shapes of skirts and wigs in vogue in that period.
The seat is wide and the backrest is generally low; the legs and bracelets have curved and straight shapes.
They get made different chair models based on the occasions of use and the most typical Louis XV chair is the shepherdess, a large, low and deep armchair.

Also sofas are developed in different variations and most of them are made to accommodate three people.
Among the most popular ones we find the couch, duchesse, characterized by its gondola back, and the marquise, which is simply an enlarged armchair. 

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Further Reading:

• Louis XV or Louis XVI style