Wallace Collection Catalogue of Furniture - 9780900785566

The Wallace Collection houses over 500 pieces of 18th-century French furniture, produced by craftsmen such as Andre-Charles Boulle. The pieces include: a commode made for the bedroom of Louis XV at Versailles, three secretaires made for Marie-Antoinette, and two Caffieri chandeliers given by Louis XV to his eldest daughter. This three-volume catalogue of 18th-century furniture from the Wallace Collection replaces the 1956 publication by the late Sir Francis Watson. It contains 337 entries, some covering more than one piece of furniture, detailing the materials, construction and decoration of each piece, along with its history, dating, style and maker. Volume One comprises Gothic and Renaissance-style furniture, carved furniture, lacquer furniture and barometers and clocks. Volume Two covers Boulle furniture and veneered furniture. Finally, Volume Three focuses on gilt bronze. There is also an introduction, recounting the part played by different generations of the Hertford family in acquiring the furniture.