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A Close Look at louis-xvi Furniture
Reflecting the final era of royal opulence before the upheaval of the French Revolution, antique Louis XVI furniture features more angular shapes than the Rococo curves of the Louis XV style, harkening back to the imposing grandeur of Louis XIV.
Dating between 1750 and 1800, an era that overlapped with the last king of France whose reign was cut short by the guillotine, Louis XVI furniture, known as the goût grec, is emblematic of the neoclassical revision that French furniture underwent during the second half of the 18th century.
Authentic Louis XVI furniture characteristics include clean lines and carved details such as scrolls and acanthus flourishes that were inspired by ancient Greece and Rome. This was informed by a burgeoning interest in antiquity in the 18th century, owing to new archaeological excavations at sites including Pompeii and Herculaneum. It largely eclipsed the more East Asian–influenced ornamentation of Louis XV for something more geometric and symmetrical.
The Louis XVI style was defined by what was being created for the palatial rooms at Versailles and Fontainebleau, particularly for the queen, with cabinetmaker Jean-Henri Riesener being a favorite of Marie-Antoinette’s for his luxurious pieces accented with gilded bronze and marquetry. Furniture maker Jean-Baptiste-Claude Sené was also a major designer of the period, with his pieces for the royal residences adorned with giltwood and neoclassical touches like tapered columns for chair legs and laurel leaf carvings. Cabinetmaker Adam Weisweiler occasionally incorporated into his furniture porcelain panels produced by Sèvres, a popular manufacturer of European ceramics that served the crown with serveware, vases and other decorative objects.
Find a collection of antique Louis XVI seating, tables, cabinets and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Finding the Right mantel-clocks for You
Personal time-telling devices may have migrated from our pockets to our wrists and finally onto our phones, but despite the convenience of a handheld digital timekeeper, nothing can beat well-made vintage, new and antique mantel clocks.
Invented by clockmakers in France and popularized in the 18th and 19th centuries, these practical yet ornate pieces were typically displayed on top of fireplaces or desks. While the most common mantel clocks were created in the traditional tambour style, which features a wide base that flares into an upright drum- or camelback-shaped case, modern clockmakers and furniture designers have experimented with their own ideas for these decorative objects over the years, introducing different forms and working with unconventional materials. A collection of whimsical, monochromatic handmade mantel clocks crafted by Dutch designer Kiki van Eijk, called Floating Frames, for example, features minimalist frames of anodized wire and ceramic clockfaces.
When shopping for an antique, vintage or new mantel clock, don’t be afraid to branch out. Wood mantel clocks of any era will bring a classic, elegant allure to the shelving in your living room or the bookcase in your bedroom, while Empire-style mantel clocks will comparatively boast eye-catching gilt bronze and pronounced sculptural attributes. Some Art Deco mantel clocks will feature an integration of marble or glass and will likely be marked by the decorative embellishments associated with that particular furniture style.
There’s just something about cool clocks, right? Spend your time with an extraordinary collection of mantel clocks on 1stDibs today.
- What is a chime on a clock?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The chime on a clock is the tune that it plays at specific time intervals. A clock may chime on the hour, or more frequently to mark shorter time increments. Shop for a variety of clocks from top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022The meaning of the chimes on a clock relates to time. At specific intervals, the chimes play a melody to let you know how much time has passed. Depending on the design, clock chimes may sound every 15, 30 or 60 minutes. On 1stDibs, shop a range of antique and vintage clocks.
- What makes a clock chime?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021A mechanical process is what makes a clock chime. The music roll pulls back a chime hammer, which then returns to its original position and hits a chime rod, or in certain cases, a steel tuned tube, as it rotates. The majority of chiming, weight-driven mechanical grandfather clocks have 12 hammers and rods. Find a collection of antique and vintage clocks on 1stDibs today.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021A Westminster chime clock features a quartz clock movement, which electronically plays the “Westminster Quarters” / “Westminster Chimes” melody on the hour mark. A Westminster chime clock also plays a progressive melody to mark every quarter-hour. Westminster chime clocks are considered classic and timeless furnishings, made using high-quality wood and metals. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage Westminster chime clocks.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 24, 2021A Westminster chime clock uses quartz movement to work the gears, to move pendulums and to play the popular melody everyone is fond of. The quartz movement electronically plays the melody that can be set to play on the hour, half an hour and quarter hour if desired. Find a wide range of antique, new and vintage clocks on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To fix the chime on a mantel clock, take it to an experienced clock repair shop. A professional will have the knowledge and tools necessary to diagnose the problem with the chimes and make the necessary repairs. You'll find a range of mantel clocks on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021To get your grandfather clock to chime correctly, you must wait until the next hour count and note how many hours the clock chimes and then move the hour hand to the hour the clock chimed. Then you can reset the clock to the proper time.1stDibs ExpertAugust 24, 2021You can get your grandfather clock to chime correctly in a few easy steps. Firstly, wait for the next hour to chime on the clock. After that, count how many hours your grandfather clock chimes. With your finger, move the hour hand to the number of the hour count, and reset the time clock to the correct time. If you don’t feel confident in trying this by yourself, get in touch with an antiques appraiser or related professional for help. Find a variety of grandfather clocks on 1stDibs.