19Th Century European Furniture

France dominated the European furniture scene as her extraordinary cultural influences were much encouraged, if not created, by the aspirations of the two Napoleons who wished to recreate that country's earlier grandeur. This is not to underestimate, however, other influences such as Turkish, Moorish, African, Far and Mid-Eastern, which filtered in through neighbouring European countries and were often incorporated into furniture designs throughout the Continent. It was inevitable that such a vast area, with its strong external and internal influences, and at the same time undergoing great political and industrial change, should be responsible for a confused mixture of styles with much of the furniture frankly bizarre or mass-produced. Yet the period also saw the manufacture of the crafted and well designed pieces which are sought after and appreciated in these times.