| Even before the death of Louis XV in 1775, the | | | | rectangular form and there are no more curves as in |
| furniture style associated with his reign was | | | | the Bombe of Louis XV. This period doesn't have so |
| abandoned in favor of a simpler neoclassical style that | | | | much ornamentation in its design and often is not |
| was identified with his successor, Louis XVI. | | | | carved or painted either. It is usually finished in natural |
| Through the efforts of Madame Pompadour, a | | | | wood with mahogany the most commonly used. Since |
| woman of refinement, culture, education and wealth, | | | | this period is so much influenced by the ideals of |
| the City of Pompeii, which was buried during the | | | | ancient Rome and Greece, the Louis XVI style is |
| eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, was excavated. It revealed a | | | | alternatively referred to as the Neo Classical style. |
| city very much in the same state, as it was when the | | | | The typical motifs of this period includes: |
| eruption of the volcano buried it in 79 A.D. The | | | | 1. The lyre which is a classic Roman musical instrument. |
| excavation of Pompeii, a once glorious Roman resort, | | | | 2. Fluted legs imitating Roman columns with square |
| brought the Parisians new awareness and a surge of | | | | blocks carved with rosettes at the top of legs. |
| interest in classical ancient Rome. They were quickly | | | | 3. Urns and columns. |
| captivated by the constant flow of ideas and drawings | | | | Despite its difference from the Louis XV style, the |
| of Roman scrolls, monuments and motifs. | | | | Neo Classical style of Louis XVI maintains the delicacy |
| The rococo style slowly faded as people started to | | | | of its predecessor. It adheres to the size and grace of |
| take interest in the new discoveries. Louis XVI reigned | | | | Louis XV rather than the massive size of the baroque |
| during a period of 14 years from 1775 to 1789. The | | | | Louis XIV style. To better identify the Louis XVI style; |
| Louis XVI style advocates simpler, less ornate furniture | | | | here are its basic characteristics. |
| design. Straight lines and simplicity are the guiding | | | | 1. It has fluted, slim, straight legs usually topped with a |
| principles of this period. In Louis XVI architecture and | | | | square box with rosette carving. |
| furniture designs, the curves are eliminated and | | | | 2. It has compass drawn mechanical arc and curves; it |
| replaced by straight lines which is a total opposite to | | | | is never free form. |
| the Louis XV style. If ever there is curvature in the | | | | 3. Most furniture pieces contain classical motifs like |
| design, it is usually compass drawn and not free form. | | | | columns, urns and lyres. |
| The chair backs are usually oval, rectangular or shield | | | | 4. It adheres to the delicate construction of the |
| form. The cabriole legs have been replaced with | | | | previous style maintaining grace and delicacy in all its |
| straight legs and are fluted imitating the columns of | | | | design. |
| ancient Rome. Most case pieces are usually in | | | | |