Louis Cuenières; France, c. 1890.

LOUIS CUENIÈRES JEUNE (active since 1870); France, c. 1890.
Bureau plat, Louis XVI style.
Corner pieces, keyhole escutcheons and sabots in gilt bronze. Leather top.
Cracks in the lower part of the panel and restorations.
It does not keep key.
Measurements: 78 x 115 x 70 cm.
Desk with three drawers raised on four square conical legs with acanthus leaves and rolled foliate leaves, designed with gilded bronze sabots. The outer drawers are decorated with gilt keyholes. The central drawer has a different design from the sides. Above is the notched brown leather writing surface, decorated with a fine foliate band and framed in a wooden border.
Louis XVI style contrasts with Louis XV style by its simplicity, lightness of form and restraint. It returns to the rigor of geometric and rectilinear forms taken from classical architecture: the rectangle, the square, the circle and the oval, mainly. As we see in the present piece, the decorative elements are also austere. The shapes of the ornaments are symmetrical and the inspiration is found in nature and in aesthetics based on antiquity. The rocaille disappears and in its place are inserted ornamental details based on classical motifs such as garlands, palms, roses, lighted torches, laurel wreaths, spheres, etc., but always in moderation, without exaggeration, generally in the upper part of the piece of furniture. These pieces of furniture are also smaller than those of the Louis XV style, and many are portable.