Gothic was still to be seen at the beginning of the Renaissance period under Louis XII.
The peak of the French Revolution was influenced by Italy. Innovative Italian architects and artists arrived in France, furniture followed architecture. Motives inspired by antiquity apperead. Figures were sculptured in relief. The Fontainebleau school was important. Style became more sober under Henri II. Pilasters and columns evoking porticos were accentuated.
Production was considerable in Ile de France, Tourraine and Burgundy school.
Furniture had become a work of art.
Furniture : Cabinets replaced chests, chairs, were padded, many cupboards with two or four doors, tables were highly sculptured.
Characters from antiquity and mythology were the main subjects. Numphs, satyrs, allegories of the seasons, friezes and foliation became popular.
Materials : wood was selected : oak, walnut or ebony. Mounting became finer.
Types of decoration : carving was still a priority. Small columns with capitals, garlands, friezes.
