Discover the evolution of decorative furniture from the late 18th century to the Directoire and Empire styles.
This volume surveys the Louis XVI period, its master designers, cabinetmakers, and the rise of refined ormolu and marquetry work, with attention to how taste, craft, and social change shaped the furniture that filled royal and noble spaces.
- Learn how the Louis XVI style moved from Rococo exuberance to a restrained classicism guided by master ébénistes and bronziers.
- Meet influential figures such as Riesener, Gouthière, Thomire, Dubois, and Cressent, and see how their collaborations produced iconic pieces.
- Explore examples of marquetry, inlays, ormolu mounts, and carved furniture that reflect both court taste and broader European trends.
- Understand the historical context that connects furniture forms to themes in architecture and interior decoration of the period.
Ideal for readers of furniture history, design students, collectors, and enthusiasts seeking a clear overview of a pivotal era in decorative woodwork.