Before the French Revolution, the last monarch of France was Louis XVI. He was guillotined. In 1770, the ruler of France married Marie Antoinette, who was known for her extravagant taste.

The furniture of Louis XVI is characterised by its beauty and neoclassicism, which refers to an aesthetic fondness for Greek and Roman patterns and antique styles. Neoclassicism brings a sense of restriction, transparency, peace, and idealism. The furniture of the Louis XVI era was produced for Queen Marie Antoinette. The pieces were kept in chambers at the Palace of Versailles, Fontainebleau, the Tuileries, and other royal homes of Louis XVI.

The Louis XVI chairs were distinguished by their beauty, lightness, and simplicity of design. The fundamental kinds of chairs mainly remained unchanged from the earlier period. However, there was a greater diversity in designs, especially in the dossier or back of armchairs —  en raquette, en chapeau, en lyre, en grebe, en anse de panier, and, most notably, en médaillon were among them.

The á chapeau de gendarme or policeman's cap was another popular kind of dossier. The legs of the chairs were the most standard features; they were generally carved to look like Roman or Greek columns, tapering towards the end in a form known as effilés.

Fauteuil de Bureau or office chair was an original chair made during the reign of Louis XVI. A set was made by Henri Jacob, brother of Georges Jacob, in the year of 1785. The seat was mounted on a circular platform and could turn around - this was the first recorded swivel chair.

The art of Louis XVI's reign carries the soul of the 18th century. The furniture was very skillfully produced and had stood the test of time.

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Conclusion

Louis XVI-style furniture items were gracefully crafted. The geometric forms and neoclassical beauty of these items are the things favoured by collectors as well as antique enthusiasts.

FAQs

1. What is the most notable chair style of the Louis XVI era?

En médaillon was the most notable chair style during the era of the Louis XVI monarchy.

2. What were the most traditional features of the Louis XVI chair?

The legs of the chairs were the most traditional features; they were generally carved to seem like Roman or Greek columns.

3. Who influenced the style of Louis XVI chairs?

Queen Marie Antoinette.

4. Name the original chair that first appeared during the rule of Louis XVI.

The Fauteuil de Bureau or office chair was one of the pioneering works.

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