Skip to content

Cart

Your cart is empty

3. Meet the French Royals and their styles: Philippe d'Orléans

3. Meet the French Royals and their styles: Philippe d'Orléans

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: 3. Meet the French Royals and their styles: Philippe d'Orléans

3. Meet the French Royals and their styles: Philippe d'Orléans

Philippe d'Orléans, Duke of Orléans and nephew of the Sun King, reigned as Regent of France from 1715 to 1723. Never intended to be King, he was brought up to have a military career. Philippe II was a zealous student. He studied the violin, diplomacy and riding, acted in several plays, composed two operas, and was a gifted painter and engraver. These cultural interests are reflected during his reign: he collected many paintings and purchased the world’s largest known diamond, a 141 carat cushion brilliant, now known as Le Régent.

Furniture style: The Régence
The Régence style serves as a transitional phase between the grandeur of Louis XIV and the more whimsical and ornate Rococo style that would follow. Symmetrical lines are still very present, but decoration is completely renewed and lines start to curve. The furniture exhibits a sense of movement and fluidity.

Régence style embraces a degree of asymmetry, departing from the strict symmetry of the Louis XIV era. This asymmetry adds a touch of playfulness to the design. The emblematic design of the rococo style is that of the shell. As a transitory style, the Régence style also heralds the great themes of Louis XV with, for example, the apparition of chinoiseries.

Walnut remained a popular wood choice during the Régence period, but there was also an increased use of other exotic woods. This variety of woods allowed for more diverse and visually interesting furniture.

Chairs and sofas were designed for comfort, often featuring padded seats and backs. Some Régence furniture, especially commodes and chests of drawers, exhibit a bombe shape, characterized by a convex or bulging form.

Bureaux Mazarin
The Régence period saw the popularity of bureaux Mazarin, which were writing desks with a central drawer surrounded by smaller drawers and compartments. These desks often featured elaborate marquetry.

In summary, the Régence furniture style is characterized by its curved lines, asymmetry, Asian and Rococo influences, naturalistic motifs, gilt bronze mounts, varied wood choices, comfortable seating, bombe shapes and cabriole legs. It represents a pivotal period in French furniture design, marking the shift towards a lighter and more decorative aesthetic.

Read more

1. Meet the French Royals and their styles: Louis XIII

1. Meet the French Royals and their styles: Louis XIII

Louis XIII was the king of France from 1610 to 1643, climbing the throne at the age of only 8 years old. He was known as Le Juste, the Fair. Louis XIII was the first king to wear a wig, solely in...

Read more
2. Meet the French Royals and their styles: Louis XIV
France

2. Meet the French Royals and their styles: Louis XIV

Louis XIV is known as Le Roi Soleil, the Sun King. Louis XIV's reign spanned an impressive seventy two years, from 1638 to 1715, making him one of the longest-reigning monarchs in European history....

Read more