French Empire Furniture & Mercury Gilding: "Antiques" collecting/Decorative Arts Education

Although the Roman Empire is central to this style, the term Empire refers to the decorative arts and general aesthetic movement of the First French Empire of Napoleon I. Napoleon's Empire style deliberately appropriated the visual language of ancient imperial Rome. Severe symmetry, classical columns with capitals, mahogany and gilt bronze mounts, winged victories, griffons, sphinxes, and monumental proportions are among the characteristics of this bold, early 19th century style.

The present secretary desk is a quintessential example of Empire furniture. It has fewer mounts then some, but the mounts it has are surprisingly fine and they are what make it an outstanding fine domestic model of the period. Examining these mounts should help viewers to better understand and recognize generally higher quality and desirable "art furniture" from this time. The video discusses the difference between early original period antiques, and the innumerable style copies (newer antiques) made after the Industrial Revolution. The overview of the process of making these "bronze" but actually brass mounts, then refining and mercury gilding them, should reveal how such objects are really akin as much to art as they are to furniture.

The desk is no longer available, but please write via the contact page of myersandmonroe.com to inquire about new arrivals or similar options.