The Rich Ornaments of European Classic

As we go back to the 15th – 18th century, it was the time of Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo and Neo Classic Period. Florence was the center of Renaissance architectural and visual arts. Like the Romans, this architectural period used the order structurally as well decoratively. Leon Battista Alberti (1404-1472) was the first Renaissance architectural writer. One of the famous furniture pieces was Savonarola and Dante chairs with strong structural curves.

The Baroque period in the 17th century was marked as the period of criticism towards the Roman Catholic Church. Among the materials and decorative techniques were developed, the most important were fresco, molded stucco and carved woodwork. Pietra dura, a mosaic type using colored stone applied in cabinet panels and tabletops. This art pieces center was built also in Florence, Italy.

Besides Italy, in France had developed the French Baroque since Louis XIII. Solid wood and veneered pieces were constructed. A variety of materials had been utilized for crafting some decoration in the furniture such as ebony, tortoiseshell, lapis lazuli, agate, jasper, and bones. The craftsmen changed the chair structure to be more comfortable, less formidable and stiffness. Wool upholstery ‘maquettes’ was introduced with small motifs in numerous colours.

After the Baroque flamboyant era, in the 18th century emerged Rococo style which was an exclusive style for the court, aristocracy and the nouveaux riches. Jean I. Berain shift the ornamental style in the previous period into a lighter style and introduced Chinoiserie, Oriental decorative motifs and Singreries, monkeys applied as an ornament.

French Neo-Classic in the 1740s was a movement against the Rococo style. Jacque Ange Gabriel was the leader of neo-classical movement and fully committed to the French architectural class of Francois Massart. In this period, they used the same materials and techniques of Louis XV period, such as wood, paint, metal, plaster, marble and other stones. Innumerable table form and shapes were produce in the neo-classic era based on functional needs.

Various furniture styles from these periods are available at Da Vinci on the 4th and 5th floor. You can select this European Classic furniture and home accessories from Vidal Grau, Cappelletti, Creacione, Jumbo Gruppa, Fejomi, Bazzi and Silik which is rich in gold leaf detail ornaments.


Régence chair

Régence style emerged in the neoclassical period (from 1760s to 1830s), which inspired from the Greco-Roman furniture. The chair shape was a transition from rectilinear forms of Louis XIV to curvilinear shapes of Louis XV. The chairs were easier to move and make each person experience a warm conversation with each other. The style tended to be symmetrical with slightly curved legs.

Parquetry secrétaire à abattant

Riesener specially designed this cabinet for Marie-Antoinette in 1780. She used it at the Trianon.

Commode a L’anglaise

This commode made by Martin Carlin in Paris with imitation lacquer or japanned panels in 1882.