CABRIOLE
cab·ri·ole [kab-ree-ohl; French ka-bree-awl]
noun, plural cab·ri·ole [kab-ree-ohlz; French ka-bree-awl]
1. Furniture. a type of furniture leg, a curved, tapering leg curving outward at the top and inward farther down so as to end in a round pad, the semblance of an animal's paw, or some other feature: used especially in the first half of the 18th century.
2. Ballet. a leap in which one leg is raised in the air and the other is brought up to beat against it.
Also called cabriole leg.
Origin:
1775–85; < French: from cabrioler to caper, leap like a goat; so called because modeled on leg of a capering animal (see cabriolet)
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| Printed in 1897, Bibliographisches Institut Leipzig Germany, as an illustration for the 5th edition of "Meyers' Konversations Lexikon". |
The cabriole leg is a sinuous, double-curved form used in legs (and feet) of furniture, with the upper portion curving outward and the lower portion curving inward in a gentle "S" shape, a conventionalized representation of the rear leg of a leaping goat.
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| Illustrations by Nan Richards |
While used extensively in French furniture, especially the Louis XV period of furniture design, the shape originated centuries before with the ancient Chinese and Greek furniture makers. Furniture historians can often determine the origin of an antique based solely on the form and detail of its cabriole legs.
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| Pair French Antique Louis XV Walnut Fauteuils |
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| Pair French Antique Louis XV Petite Side Chairs |
But there's no mistaking the signature "S" shaped cabriole legs on Louis XV chairs. Besides being very attractive, the graceful, curved lines of the cabriolet leg are also very practical. They create the balance needed to support heavy pieces of case furniture on slim legs without the use of stretchers.
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| Antique French Louis XV Walnut Side Table |
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| Frédéric Schmit Pair of Antique French Louis XV Style Rococo Revival Buffets |
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| Antique French Provincial Louis XV Chateau Armoire |
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| 18th Century French Country Louis XV Commode Sauteuse |
What's more symbolic of 18th century furniture than the cabriole leg?
À Bientôt!
Lolo & Mimi
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