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. 

 

Silvered bronze is a decorative technique where a thin sheet of silver is applied to bronze.  Typically this is done through electroplating, as bronze is a copper alloy and accepts the silver transfer nicely.  The silver coating produces a bright, shiny surface which has a unique visual appeal.

 

Antique beveled glass refers to an ancient glassmaking process where the edges of glass are cut and polished at an angle. 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.  The quality and age of the glass determines its value and rarity.