The empire stylefurniture is basically the elaborated neoclassical style of furnishing of
the period of Napoleon the first emperor of France (1804-1815). The roman
inspired furniture ranges played a major role here as the Roman government
converted to an empire from a republic. But there was no distinctive style of
this type of architecture. This style of furniture was inspired largely by
Percier and Fontaine- the architects of Napoleon.
This period mainly combined the martial symbols as well as
the grandeur of Rome with the elements of Greek architecture and the ancient
Egyptian motifs. Besides, the conventional classic motifs, which were already
found in the reign of Louis XVI, were supplemented by the
symbols of imperial grandeur. These include:
- The monogram and the emblem of the emperor- the bee
- Egyptian motifs after successful campaigning in Egypt
- Representation of the military trophies
This type of furniture can be characterized easily by the symmetry in decoration and
by the clear-cut silhouettes. Besides, the furniture ranges of this era are architectural in concept, massive in size and also trimmed
abundantly in brass and bronze on mahogany, ebony and rosewood.
Apart
from that, the Mahogany-veneered furniture ranges with ormolu mounts (a kind of brass used to imitate gold) assumed the shapes of the
Greek, Egyptian and Roman tables and chairs with pilasters headed with busts, sphinxes
or palm leaves and with winged-lion supports. There was no classical prototype.
Rather the modern designs were enlivened with the motifs of ancient ornaments
or with symbolic implications in reference to the reign of Napoleon.
So, if you are interested in this furniture style and want
to decorate your interior with the style of the French emperor, then visit Bernadette LivingstonFurniture. Here you will find a complete range of high end and luxurious empire
style furniture, which will define your class.