The French Empire Design Style - Propaganda by Design

The French Empire Style 1800 - 1815

When Napolean I ruled France we can see the emergence of a very unique style of design and in particular furniture design. This began in the early 19th century and was broadly known as the First French Empire. Tightly associated with the American Federal period, it featured massive, straight-lined features - very masculine and powerful. The easiest way to explain the period is by telling readers to think Arc de Triomphe, big empirical, strong and dominant. It was during this time that many ancient discoveries were being unearthed in the lands conquered by Napoleon. The exposure many of the wondrous structures and designs of both the ancient Egyptians and the Roman Empire in conjunction with Napoleon's need to show of his new Empire gave rise to this rigid but elegant style. Borrowing from the very powerful empires of Rome and Egypt, Napoleon commisioned the best artisans in the country to produce items featuring everything from obelisks to griffins. 

As for the actual design of furniture, we see very straight lines, flat backs, square symmetrical designs. Although the graceful cabriole leg is still in use it became less delicate, looking more like a strong lions leg than the more refined cabriole of previous periods such as the rococo. We see the letter N in many peices of this period, marking a strong and easily identifiable symbol of the time.

One other feature of the Empire period is the use of ormoulu. The word ormoulu comes form two French words or and moulu simply meaning soft (or grounded) gold. It was a technique for adding bronze gilt to an object via the use of mercury. Sadly many of the craftsmen that used this method died at an early age due to mercury poisoning. This lead to the banning of the method.

Much of the actual imagery was due to the importations of Baron Dominique-Vivant Denon, the lead Egyptian archeologist of the day. Not only the objects that he imported but his drawings and etchings of mummified Egyptians and other unusual items discovered in the temples and tombs were utilized quite a bit by French artisans. All of this done in the name of the great conqueror Napoleon - propaganda by design.