A fauteuil is a French armchair with an exposed wooden frame, open arms and upholstered back and seat. It differs from a bergère which has closed (upholstered) arms. Fauteuils date to the 17th century. They are usually upholstered with fine fabrics and are considered fancy chairs.  Their wooden frames may also be carved reflecting the craftsmanship of the times. Gold leaf gilding was applied to enhance the luxurious feel of these chairs.

 

The design style known as Louis XVI dates to the reign of King Louis XVI of France (1174-1792). 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.