The design style known as Louis XVI dates to the reign of King Louis XVI of France (1774-1792). The style appeared in architecture, furniture, decoration and art and rejected the elaborate ornate curves and frilly embellishments of the preceding Baroque period.  Louis XVI’s queen, Marie Antoinette, was instrumental in returning design focus to a style characterized by the elegance and of ancient Greek and Roman models, employing the use of ornate detail, precise shapes, light and refined color palettes, and symmetry.  The royal apartments in the palaces of Versailles, Fontainebleau, Tuileries, as well as other royal residences contain outstanding examples of these beautiful designs.   No expense was spared to create elegant, refined and expertly crafted wares produced by the master craftsmen of the period in this period just prior to the French Revolution. 

 

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.

 

Antique beveled glass refers to an ancient glassmaking process where the edges of glass are cut and polished at an angle to create a beveled edge.  Beveling enhances the reflection of light and adds a decorative touch to the glass.  This process was commonly used in mirrors, windows and doors, especially in the Victorian era.