|
Home |
|
|
Home |
|
19th C. Louis XV Style Carved Giltwood Mirror browse these categories for related items... All Items: Architectural: Decorations: Pre 1837 VR: item #693482
$8,750. |
|
|
| Second Half of the 19th Century Louis XV Style Carved Gilt Wood and Gesso Mirror. The rectangular mirror plate within marginal borders, within a beaded and ribbon tied foliate surround, surmounted by a pierced cresting centered by an urn of trailing flowers and flanked by two putti's supporting a grape and vine leaf and lappet swag. H:5'8" W:37.5" Louis XV, known and was called the Beloved, Louis was born at Versailles on 15 February 1710. At the age of five, he succeeded his great grandfather Louis XIV as king of France. The Duke of Orleans became regent. After the regent's death, Louis was heavily influenced by his former tutor, Andre-Hercule de Fleury, whom he later created chief minister. Fleury ensured relatively stable government for the next 17 years. In 1725, Louis was married to Maria Leczczynska, daughter of the deposed king of Poland. After Fleury's death Louis took only a sporadic interest in government. He was heavily influenced by a series of favourites, particularly his mistresses Madame de Pompadour and, after Pompadour's death in 1764, the Comtesse du Barry. Louis XV, (February 15, 1710 – May 10, 1774), ruled as King of France and Navarre from 1715 until his death. Unexpectedly surviving the death of his entire family, he enjoyed a favourable reputation at the beginning of his reign. However, in time, his inability to reform the French monarchy, his lack of morals, and his foreign policy on the European stage lost him the support of his people, and he died as a more unpopular figure that reigned. While historians have suggested that Louis XV was in fact very intelligent and dedicated to the task of ruling the largest kingdom of Europe. His indecisiveness, fuelled by his awareness of the complexity of problems ahead, as well as his profound timidity, hidden behind the mask of an imperious king, account for the poor results achieved during his reign. In fact Louis XV cherished nothing more than his private life far away from pomp and ceremony. Having lost his mother while still an infant, he always longed for a motherly and reassuring presence, which he tried to find in the intimate company of women, for which he was much criticised both during and after his life. In 1733, France became involved in the War of the Polish Succession, in an attempt to restore the queen's father to the Polish throne. The attempt failed, but France gained the Duchy of Lorraine. In 1740, in the War of the Austrian Succession, France allied with Prussia against Britain and Austria. The French won a series of military victories and occupied the Austrian Netherlands. However, Louis subsequently returned the territory to Austria, for which he was lauded abroad but heavily criticised in France. In the Seven Years War (1756-1763) alliances were reversed, and the French fought with their long-standing enemy Austria against Britain and Prussia. France's defeat resulted in the loss of most her colonies to Britain, marking a low point in French prestige. In the 1760s, a new minister, the Duc de Choiseul, managed to restore some stability to France. However, the extravagances of Louis's court, the huge expense of decades of warfare and the defeat of attempts at reform left monarchy and government weakened by the end of Louis's reign. He died at Versailles on 10 May 1774 and was succeeded by his grandson who became Louis XVI. Historic Figures William III Louis XVI Louis XIV Timelines British Timeline External Web Links The reign of Louis XV (1723-1774) The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites. Located just 3 minutes south of Santa Barbara in an antique community, the store Lifestyle Antiques specializes in Italian , French and Spanish Furnishings and Decorative Arts. The elegant collection is located in the heart of Summerland, California, and offers the finest high-end European Antiques, Decorative Arts, and Home Furnishings on the South Coast. We feature a rich collection which varies from Murano lamps, decorative pillows, Chandeliers, Mirrors and a fine selection of antique home furnishings. For your convenience you may shop on line: www.lifestyleantiques.com . | ||