Louis Philippe reigned as King of France from 1830 until 1848.  The style of furnishings in vogue during his reign was characterized by simple, soft and rounded lines and the use of darker woods with little ornamentation. Louis Philippe is a transition style between the ornate Empire and Louis XVI styles and the simple, more naturalistic styles of the later Victorian era.  This was also the first style in France influenced more by the growing, wealthy upper class rather than the monarchy.

 

Gold leaf refers to thin sheets of gold that have been hammered into a fine metallic finish used in gilding and decorative applications.  It gave a very luxurious feeling to furnishings and objects of art.