Louis Philippe Style

The Louis Philippe style denotes a French style of furniture in vogue during the reign of Louis Philippe who ruled from 1830 to 1848.

It’s characteristics are simple softly rounded lines, using darker woods such as mahogany, walnut and palissandre, with very little decoration. Surfaces are often marble topped. The style developed from the demands of a new rising middle class who were more concerned with comfort than originality. Manufacturers were keen to experiment with new production techniques and sought to balance new large-scale production with the tradition of French craftsmanship.

The style can be distinguished from the previous era through the use of dark woods, no marquetry or bronze fittings with key holes surrounded by copper inlay decoration, and moldings disappear. Panels are flat without moulding, and support posts are smooth and straight and have no decoration with rounded corners. Marble tops are introduced in white, grey or black. Such ornamentation as there is tend to be large leaf foliage, palmettes and a ‘frog’s leg’ motif which can be found on the legs of chairs, settees and case furniture.