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6. Meet the French Royals and their styles: Louis XVI

6. Meet the French Royals and their styles: Louis XVI

Did you know that Louis XVI was a huge lock-picking expert? Louis XV’s favourite animal was his white angora cat, while his mistress Madame de Pompadour (whose name rhymes with amour) kept chickens in the gardens of Versailles. Get to know the quirky characters of the French Royals, Emperors and rulers that inspired many of the beautiful styles that you find in our store!

Article: 6. Meet the French Royals and their styles: Louis XVI

6. Meet the French Royals and their styles: Louis XVI

Louis XVI was the last King of France before the French Revolution. He was interested in lock-picking. The blunt table knives that we use today are heavily influenced by Louis XVI, as he ordered that all pointy knives were grinded down to reduce the rebellious atmosphere in France. Unfortunately, this did not affect the events that lead to the French Revolution. In 1789, during the last weeks of his life, Louis XVI was referred to as Citizen Louis Capet. In hindsight, it is unfortunate that a few years before the guillotine was used to chop his own head off, Louis XVI made several suggestions to improve the effectiveness of the machine.

Furniture style: Louis XVI
Neoclassical designs, flying away with straight lines. However, strongly influenced by the neoclassical mood that spread across Europe after the discovery of the Pompei sites, Louis XVI is adorned with ovals, arches, medallions, wreaths, garlands, urns and flourishes. Expensive woods are used, such as ebony, rosewood and mahogany. New pieces of furniture appear, for instance the living room table. In chairs, expect to find fluted and slightly tapered legs and medallions with backrests.

Furniture legs in the Louis XVI style are typically straight and often tapered.
Fluted columns, reminiscent of classical Greek and Roman columns, are a common feature in Louis XVI furniture. These columns may appear as decorative elements on case pieces or as supports for tables.

The Greek key motif, a repeating pattern of interlocking rectangles, is a popular decorative element in Louis XVI furniture. It is often found on chair rails, table aprons, and other surfaces.

Louis XVI furniture often features lighter wood tones such as mahogany, oak, or fruitwood. The use of lighter colors contributes to the overall airiness and elegance of the style. The elegance and classicism of this period continue to influence interior design today.

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5. Meet the French Royals and their styles: Madame de Pompadour
Antiques

5. Meet the French Royals and their styles: Madame de Pompadour

Madame de Pompadour was the favourite mistress of Louis XV. The King gifted her the title of Marquise de Pompadour, which she loved because it rhymes with ‘amour’, emphasizing her special place i...

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7. Meet the French Royals and their styles: Marie Antoinette
Antiques

7. Meet the French Royals and their styles: Marie Antoinette

Marie Antoinette became the first and only Queen of France when she married Louis XVI in 1770. When first arriving in Paris, she wanted to ride horses in the city. This caused protest from the cou...

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