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Furniture Finishing

The bureau is an Empire creation growing out of a desk and is still not only a term for furniture, but signifies in France an office as well. The addition of a mirror and a rearrangement of the interior accomplished the transformation. At this time, too, passed out the canopied four poster which had nourished as a bedstead model since the earliest Renaissance. Tilting pier or cheval glasses also came into use mounted on typical sturdy framework.

But it is in decoration as well as form that Empire is truly distinctive, representing a studied return to the symbolism of Egypt, Greece and Rome. The lotus, the sphinx, the swan's neck, the Athenian bees, the acanthus, the honeysuckle, the torch, the bundle of fasces, the eagle, the lion, winged victory and caryatides all mingled with war-like trophies and the laurel wreath encircling the letter "N" to express the personality of Napoleon and his imperial power.

In woods, mahogany, both solid and veneer, received preference over all others, ebony and rosewood being reserved only for a few special pieces. It is in the contract between this deeply colored mahogany and gleaming brass mounts that Empire becomes handsome and impressive. Considerable painting and gilding of cheaper woods flourished in combination with caning; upholstery was executed with brocades, silks and velvets in strong colors. Marble tops were common on tables and marble was also employed for pedestals. Glass was favored for knobs on cabinet work.

For decades Empire was the most popular of our furniture styles, but excepting in the early days, not as French but as American Empire. Brought over to this country early in the nineteenth century, it took hold at once, and as befits a democratic society, was greatly modified as to decoration and somewhat as to style. Today the vogue for any kind of Empire has passed, and where once it was seen in almost every room of the house, it is now produced in a very limited way and rather as adapted by Duncan Phyffe.

There are various finishes for French Empire, that for mahogany being traditional. The stain is composed of two parts red and four parts brown aniline dry stain to the gallon of water, sanded, shellaced, varnished, rubbed dull, then polished to a high lustre. The walnut finish is entirely modem; it calls for an antique color and a dull eggshell lustre. Corner ornaments are usually of wood, gold bronzed to simulate the Empire brass mounts. Floral decorations are applied to drawer fronts and panels which may also be inlaid with rosewood, tulipwood or curly maple.