Relevant categories: Tables,Cabinets and Chests
( Above Photo: Regence Bombe Commode French Antique Chest Drawers 1880 )
The French Regence style marked a transition from the rectilinear forms prevalent during the Louis XIV era to the Rococo-styled pieces of Louis XV. It was common in the first three decades of the 1700s during the reign of Philippe II, Duc d'Orleans as regent over France.
There was a lot of restraint during the French Regence period in reaction to the court's pomposity during Louis XIV's reign. French architects focused on creating more intimate petit salons than ceremonial, formal, state apartments.
During that time, the furniture became more graceful and movable, showcasing the period's impeccable craftsmanship. The division of the king's court into smaller rooms led to an entirely new style of furniture.
French aristocracy made it a lifetime occupation out of decorating their Parisian homes—famous artists and creators include Antoine Watteau, Robert de Cotte, and Charles Cressent.
Instead of the heavy, carved ornamentation of the previous period, the new furniture pieces had flat, curving motifs. Familiar figures include bouquets and foliage framed by flowing bows and ribbons.
The principal wood for making this type of furniture was ebony. For veneers, furniture makers used woods like mahogany, walnut, and rosewood. There was a gently-curved ornamental chair mount called the espagnolette.
( Above Photo: Antique French Commode Chest Drawers Empire 1870 )
The French Regence style furniture is a transitional style that led to creating comfortable, elegant, and beautiful pieces. While the furniture retained its symmetry, the lines were more fluid. The leading designer during the Regence period was Charles Cressent, a master cabinetmaker.
( Above Photo: French Empire Antique Commode Chest Drawers Cherub Inlay )
Several furniture types were created during the French Regence period. The following are some of the items created during that period:
The commode
Bookcases with meshed doors
Cane chairs with 'sabot de biche' legs
Tables
Duches chaises longues
Consoles
Drop-front secretaries
Small-sized tables
Table bureaus (flat-top writing tables)
Cupboards
Wall lamps
Center lights
The most delicate furniture pieces featured oak and ebony, while ordinary ones were made from poplar or pine. In most cases, the seating was made from fruitwoods, walnut, and beech.
Most furniture pieces had bronze fittings, wood marquetry, and veneer. Furnituremakers used precious wood to make veneers in geometric shapes and bronze decorations.
Typical carvings included pomegranates, sunflower, and palm leaves with honeycomb designs and trellis backgrounds.
French Regence-style furniture had low-relief, less assertive, and thinner moldings than those under Louis XIV. Instead of lion heads, they used smiling heads of women and fauns. Also standard were scallop shells with bat wings, monkeys, and other animals.
Besides European figures, other motifs included pagodas, parasols, peacock feathers, and exotic flowers. The designers adopted these designs as Europeans ventured into China and interacted with oriental cultures.
Conclusion
You can purchase many different types of French Regence-style furniture, including tables, commodes, cupboards, and consoles. Given that these furniture pieces are antique, they are precious. So, having one of these furniture pieces is desirable.
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