Question 1

What are some French furniture styles?

Accepted Answer

Some popular French furniture styles of the 19th century include Directoire, Empire and Restoration. The Regency style popular from 1715 to 1730 is also well known. Many styles share their names with the monarchs who ruled during the period. Examples include the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI styles. On 1stDibs, find a wide range of French furniture.

Question 2

What is French furniture called?

Accepted Answer

French furniture is usually just called French furniture in English. In French, someone might say "les meubles français," which translates directly to "French furniture." However, there are names for furniture styles inspired by the furniture produced in France. French Provincial is the name for pieces made in or inspired by craftsmen from the Loire Valley or in Lyon. Furniture produced in this style often shows off scalloped carvings and curving cabriole legs. French royal furniture is the general term for furnishings made for the monarchs of France or inspired by these pieces. An example is Louis XVI furniture, which often includes clean lines and carved details such as scrolls and acanthus flourishes that were inspired by ancient Greece and Rome. Find a wide variety of French furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 3

What is 1920s furniture called?

Accepted Answer

What 1920s furniture is called depends on its style. However, the most prominent design style of the decade was Art Deco. The term alone conjures visions of the Roaring Twenties, Machine Age metropolises, vast ocean liners, sleek typography and Prohibition-era hedonism. The iconic movement made an indelible mark on all fields of design throughout the 1920s and ’30s, celebrating society’s growing industrialization with refined elegance and stunning craftsmanship. Art Deco furniture often featured bold geometric lines, floral forms, shimmering mirrored finishes, sleek metal accents, and the use of expensive materials such as shagreen or marble as well as exotic woods such as mahogany, ebony and zebra wood. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of Art Deco furniture.

Question 4

What is 1950s furniture called?

Accepted Answer

1950s furniture is called vintage furniture. Some pieces produced during this period may be considered mid-century modern based on their characteristics. Mid-century modern design refers to the variety of modernism that rose to prominence in the 1940s and ’50s. It displays many of the characteristics of the earlier versions of modernism, including simple forms and a focus on functionality. Other traits common in mid-century modern furniture include unadorned silhouettes, clean lines and mixed materials, emphasizing wood, wool, steel and plastic. On 1stDibs, explore a large collection of 1950s furniture.

Question 5

What is ’70s furniture called?

Accepted Answer

What ’70s furniture is called depends on its style. Generally, pieces from this decade can be called vintage furniture. However, pieces with certain stylistic characteristics have other names. For example, some 1970s furniture is mid-century modern. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, was developed in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of 1970s furniture.

Question 6

What is 1970s furniture called?

Accepted Answer

What 1970s furniture is called varies. Generally, you may see pieces produced during the decade classified as "vintage" or "retro" furniture. During the 1970s, some makers continued to produce furniture that boasted the characteristics of mid-century modern works. The disco era yielded furnishings with organic, often rounded shapes, unadorned silhouettes, clean lines and a mix of materials. The showy leather furniture of the 1970s, which was both sexy and comfortable, is seeing a resurgence in today’s homes. Shop a wide variety of vintage 1970s furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 7

What do you call furniture from the 1960s?

Accepted Answer

Furniture from the 1960s is often called mid-century modern. This style emphasizes the importance of good design that looks attractive and performs its function well. Notable mid-century modern designers include Eero Saarinen, George Nelson, Florence Knoll and Charles and Ray Eames. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of mid-century modern furniture.

Question 8

How do you identify 1800s furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify 1800s furniture, first check to see if your piece bears any maker's marks. Should you locate any, researching them using trusted online resources can help you determine the maker and age of your furniture. To determine if unmarked pieces date back to the 19th century, look for tool marks and variations in their carvings and ornamentation. Since 19th-century furniture was handmade, you should expect to find these signs of hand craftsmanship. A piece that shows no marks or inconsistencies in details is likely a contemporary machine-made reproduction. Familiarizing yourself with the characteristics of Rococo, Chippendale, Gothic Revival, neoclassical and other 19th-century styles can also be helpful. If you struggle to make an identification, consider consulting a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. On 1stDibs, find a range of 19th-century furniture.

Question 9

How do you identify 1930s furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify 1930s furniture, first see if you can spot a maker's mark in hidden areas, such as the back, base, inside of drawers or under tabletops and seats. Trusted online resources can help you determine who produced your furniture based on these markings, and from there, you can research more to get a rough idea of how old your item is. A piece's characteristics can also be helpful when dating furniture. Many items made during the 1930s are examples of Art Deco furniture. Art Deco furniture is characterized by geometric patterns and luxurious materials, such as shagreen, marble, mother of pearl, mirrored glass, exotic animal hides and rare woods like mahogany, ebony and zebra wood. A certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer can provide an expert opinion on when your piece was likely made. On 1stDibs, explore a range of 1930s furniture.

Question 10

How do I know if my French furniture is provincial?

Accepted Answer

To know if your French furniture is provincial, examine its decorative flourishes. Provincial furniture often showed off a white painted finish with gold gilt accents. Many pieces feature carvings depicting mythological subjects or floral motifs. On 1stDibs, find a collection of expertly vetted French provincial furniture.

Question 11

What is the 1950s furniture style called?

Accepted Answer

The best-known 1950s furniture style is called mid-century modern. Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three phrases that describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style emerged primarily in the years following World War II through creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living. Mid-century modern designers combined natural and human-made materials, such as teak, rosewood and oak woods as well as steel, fiberglass and molded plywood. Some well-known mid-century modern designers include Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Milo Baughman, Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia, Isamu Noguchi and George Nelson. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of mid-century modern furniture.

Question 12

What is 1960s-style furniture called?

Accepted Answer

Generally, 1960s-style furniture is called mid-century modern. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living. Some of the most notable furniture designers of the time include Charles and Ray Eames, Arne Jacobsen, Eero Saarinen and Hans J. Wegner. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of mid-century modern furniture.

Question 13

What was the term in French furniture for a writing desk that often featured a drop-down writing surface?

Accepted Answer

In French, the term for a writing desk that often featured a drop-down writing surface is secretaire. This type of desk is called a secretary desk in English. Simply put, a secretary desk is a multifunctional piece of furniture with a hinged writing surface that folds open or drops down. When the leaf is folded out, small inner storage compartments, which are called pigeonholes, cubbies, recesses or drawers, are revealed. On 1stDibs, shop antique secretary desks from some of the world's top sellers.

French 40s Furniture

Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Convex Mirrors

Convex Sunburst Mirror in the Style of Gilbert Poillerat, Parcel Gilt Iron, 40s

Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Sideboards

Sideboard by René and Gilbert Schmitt in limed oak and ceramic from 40s

2010s French Organic Modern Table Lamps

large table lamp Cubism geometric plaster lamp in the spirit of the 40s

Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Sideboards

rare André Sornay sideboard in Oregon pine and studded 40s art deco modernist

Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Modernist table lamp base from the 40s and 50s in solid brass discs in the Desny

Vintage 1940s French Pedestals

French 40 s Oak Adjustable Sculpture Stand

Vintage 1940s French Buffets

French 40 s Enfilade

Vintage 1940s French Center Tables

French 40 s Center Table

Vintage 1940s French Wall Mirrors

French 40 s Pine Mirror

Vintage 1940s French Console Tables

French 40 s Oak Console

Vintage 1940s French Coffee and Cocktail Tables

French 40 s Coffee Table

Vintage 1940s French Coffee and Cocktail Tables

40 s French Coktail Table

Vintage 1940s French Wall Lights and Sconces

French 40 s plaster sconces

Vintage 1940s French Serving Tables

A French 40 s Oak Console

Vintage 1940s French Wall Lights and Sconces

French 40 s Plaster Wall Sconces

Vintage 1940s French Wall Lights and Sconces

A Pair of French Iron Sconces, 40 s

Vintage 1940s French Wall Mirrors

Large French 40 s "Églomisé" Mirror from Maison Jansen

20th Century French Sideboards

A Large french cerused oak sideboard from the 40 s

20th Century French Art Deco Console Tables

French Art Deco (40 s) Gold Vein Marble, Wrought Iron Console

Vintage 1940s French Sculptures

Bronze Sculpture from the 40 s

Vintage 1940s French Club Chairs

40 s pair of ulphoster club chairs

French Coffee and Cocktail Tables

40 s coffee table in the Maison Jansen style

Vintage 1940s French Table Lamps

Pair of 40 s BAGUES crystal and straw nightlights

Vintage 1940s French Console Tables

Stellar Vintage French 40 s Brass Tooled Leather Side/End Table w/Galleries

20th Century French End Tables

Stellar French Forties Two Tier Marble Brass End/Side Table

Vintage 1940s French End Tables

French deco 40s End Table

Vintage 1940s French Tables

French 40 s bistro metal table

Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors

French round gilded wood Mirror, 40s olive leaves

Vintage 1940s French Armchairs

Pair of classic French 40 s armchairs

Vintage 1940s French Chairs

Six French bistro 40 s chairs

Vintage 1940s French Club Chairs

French 40 s Club

Vintage 1940s French Sofas

French 40 s Sofa

Vintage 1940s French Chandeliers and Pendants

FRENCH 40 S CHANDELIER

Vintage 1940s French Chandeliers and Pendants

40 s French Chandelier

Vintage 1940s French Floor Lamps

French lamp 40 s

Vintage 1940s Desk Accessories

40 s French Leather Tray/Box

Vintage 1940s French Wardrobes and Armoires

French 40 s Armoire

20th Century French Coffee and Cocktail Tables

French 40 s Coffee Table

Vintage 1940s French Sofas

French 40 s Day Bed

Vintage 1940s French Cabinets