The Baroque Style 1620-1700
The Baroque style had its origin in the Italian painting, sculpture and architecture in the decade of 1620. Characterized by decorated and complicated figures, the style reached its splendor in France, in the court of Louis 15, where the most exquisite craftsmen produced decorative arts of great wealth.
The greatness of the Baroque sculpture and architecture were reflected specially in the decorative arts and in the furniture. The style incorporated architectonic and sculpture elements, with the use of fontanels (triangular closings), heavy volutes and garlands, although also it used bulbous figures, elaborated molded, gilded and floral marquetry. Were chosen the most luxurious materials, including the velvet, the brocade and damascus upholsteries, the semiprecious stones and ivory. The intensification of commerce between China and the West during the 17 century influenced in the style, increasing in the demands of panels and lacs furniture, specially of blue and white porcelain. The French baroque style also spread new ideas by all Europe in 1670 and 1680, by means of the production in carved ornaments by the most outstanding French designers, like Jean Him Pautre and Jean Bérain .
Louis XIV
During the Louis XIV reign (1643-1715), France was at the top manufacturer of luxury objects. A main factor was that the king used outstanding craftsmen to decorate the Versailles palace. To emphasize the power of the monarch, were used: carved marble, decorative paintings, carpets, gildeds and mirrors.
*See also: The victorian style 1837-1901