Antique Furniture

All the chairs of the Louis XIV period were instinct with dignity. In the earlier part of the period they were often pompous and stiff as well, whil in later years, grace and comfort were more evident characteristics.

Legs in the early part of this period were often straight, carved and moulded, joined by straight X or saltire stretchers which were also elaborately carved and moulded.

About the end of the seventeenth century, a graceful cabriole form appared, sometimes with a more pronounced curve than at others. The proportions were well moulded and the foot was often either a scroll resembling a dolphin's head or a cloven hoof or a pied de biche.



Some of the chairs were made without stretchers while many, on the other hand, had flat serpentine stretchers of the same general type as were seen in William and Mary chairs and settees.

The knee of the cabriole was usually adorned with some sort of shell, leaf, or cabochon motif and sometimes pendent husks extended partway down the leg.


Seat rails were both shaped and carved or straight (in which case the upholstery usually came to the lower edge of the rail so it was not seen). Seats, backs and arms were both caned and upholstered. Seats were broad and approximately square with a slight taper towards the back.

Backs had a considerable rake. Arms were long and nearly horizontal, followed by the straight line of the seat side, and flared only slightly at the ends. Upholstered backs were broad and square, or slightly flared at the crest; and the tops were straight; carved or moulded tops were curved and arched a little in the middle.