THE BAROQUE
FABER FURNITURE presents
INSIDE CLASSIC FURNITURE: by Alberto Vincenzo Vaccari Professor in history of styles, author of "Inside Furniture", consultant for Faber Furniture.
Everything that was part of baroque architectural style
can be more or less found in 17th century furniture, often influenced
by the bombastic taste of 17th century france and the ostentatious spanish style. the furnishing elements were enriched with volutes, columns, twisted columns, cherubs, baskets of fruit, gold leafing, carvings, thick or fine frames, with indentations and curves, cymatia and curved gables.
History
At the beginning of the 17th century, a new style was founded on the leftovers of Classicism, based on the research for originality and imagination: Baroque, the name coming from "barrueco", a Spanish term that indicates a pearl with an irregular shape.
When talking of Baroque, we cannot speak of essentially Italian furniture. There were also notable differences from Region to Region where, depending on the situation, French ideas were preferred or the more gloomy ostentatious Spanish examples.
Therefore Genoa, for example, was more influenced by French fashion and Louis XIII style and, above all, Louis XIV, while Naples was more strongly affected by the Spanish input. Bologna preferred the darker, heavy furniture rich with carvings and volutes, closer to Roman Baroque, dominated by Bernini art initially, and then by that of Borromini after, also feeling the effects of the special climate created by the Counter-Reformation which the Spanish instigated. Throughout the 17th century, furniture became considerably larger, being on show in vaster surroundings.
The furnishings
Il trionfo delle corti e la presenza di sontuosi palazzi richiedono arredi molto prestigiosi. Nascono, così, manifatture specializzate, come quella di Gobelis in Francia, e si formano artigiani di altissimo livello che riescono a creare ornamenti ricchissimi come intarsi in avorio, in argento, in tartaruga, in metallo, con applique in bronzo, riquadri con scenette in pietre dure, scagliole, marmi. I mobili sono arricchiti da montanti torniti, intagliati e spesso dorati. I legni sono di gran pregio come l'ebano o, se di qualità inferiore, sottoposti a doratura. Fra gli arredi di gran moda vi sono: la "console" tavolo da muro con funzione decorativa; tavoli da centro solitamente di grandi proporzioni, con il piano in marmo; librerie; i "gueridons" o portavasi riccamente scolpiti e lo stipo che rappresenta, forse, il mobile più prezioso del periodo.
Panche
At the beginning of the 17th century, they were simple, with shaped backs often enriched by decorations of long leaves, which enclose a coat of arms in the centre. The seat could be opened, with jutting frames and bracket shaped legs. With the passing of the century, benches too were more enriched with volutes, curls and carvings.
Wardrobes
At the end of the 17th century, they were becoming less monumental. The rigid lines were softened and the gables, like the door panels, were more curved. The proportions were still considerable and began to decrease towards the beginning of the 18th century.
Beds
French fashion meant this piece of furniture was a composition of material, passementerie and bedspreads, to the extent that the wooden frame completely disappeared. The wooden shapes were shown by the materials that climbed up to the canopy, which was normally fixed to the ceiling, and had a curved gable enriched with pinnacles, very similar to obelisks, which were very fashionable in the 17th century Roman era. In Central North Italy, the double values of mannerism and baroque gave way, however, to canopy free beds.
Consoles
This is the period when tables took on larger proportions with complicated supports. For the first time, the three sided table the "console" appeared, which was the most notable innovation of this period: a marble top resting on richly carved legs shaped like large shells or dolphins. The console was normally situated in the reception rooms of the princely homes and, often, large mirrors were hung above or precious paintings of gentlemen with curled wigs and extremely dressed up.
The cabinet
This is the most precious piece of furniture: made from precious wood, its architectural structure is formed of columns, small pillars, central gables and it is inlaid with marble, hard stones or semi-precious stones. Towards the end of the 17th century, floral carvings were established, and Jan Van Mekeren of Amsterdam was specialist in these, being the author of panels carved with vases of flowers which remind us of the still life with flower motifs much in fashion at that time. However, the greatest "expert" in carving was Charles Boulle, cabinetmaker in the court of the Sun-King.
THE WOOD USED IN CARPENTRY AND CABINET MAKING
Cherry: many varieties were available, but the most popular were sweet cherry and black cherry. Its colour varied from yellow-orange to reddish. It was greatly used by turners, cabinetmakers, carpenters, especially in copying mahogany. However it tended to fade, therefore limewater was "passed" over it to fix the colour.
Cypress: this is a very large tree that can reach 24 m high. Its wood is fine grained and white or pale yellow in colour.
It is smooth, hard, has a pleasant smell, is resistant to woodworm and ideal for planing. It is particularly indicated for work requiring long-lasting wood, for example building wardrobes to hold furs or clothes, as its smell repels woodworm.
In Egypt, together with Libyan cedar, it is used for building houses and for luxury window and doorframes. The doors on the St. Peter's Basilica and the Constantine Basilica were made in cypress, and they kept well for a good two centuries.
Cornel: this is a short sapling, very common in woods and resistant to cold climates. It gives a reddish brown wood, hard, compact, heavy and smooth. Turners and cabinetmakers often seek this wood for its considerable beauty.
Quince: has strong compact wood, white-reddish colour. It bends and splits easily, and is equally easy to clean. It is used for turning, engraving and cabinet making.
Eucalyptus: originates from Oceania, specifically Tasmania. It can reach colossal proportions, up to 130-150 m high, with a trunk diameter of more than 8 meters. The wood is hard, heavy, compact, resistant and extremely long lasting. It is very easy to clean. It is impregnated with an oily-resinous substance, with its typical smell, which defends the wood from insects. It is used in cabinet making for its yellow-reddish colour and random irregular marking.
