WEDNESDAY'S WORD OF THE WEEK: TORSADE

TORSADE

tor·sade [tawr-sahd, -seyd]

noun [tawr-sahd, -seyd]

   

1.  Furniture. refers to the twisted column that was a chief element in furniture design during the reign of King Louis XIII.

2.   Clothing & Fashion. an ornamental twist or twisted cord, as on hats.

Also called barley twist from barley sugar twist.

Origin:

1880–85; < French: from obsolete tors twisted, from Late Latin torsus, from Latin torquēre to twist.

Torsade or Barley Twist Leg 

In French design, the spiral shape known as a torsade became a major element of the Louis XIII style. The shape dates back to 333 AD when Constantine the Great, the first Christian emperor, brought back a pair of helix shaped columns from Jerusalem to be used in the altar of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. According to tradition, these columns, known as Solomonic columns, were originally used as structural pillars for the roof of the Temple of Solomon.

Gianlorenzo Bernini's Baldacchino in St. Peter's Basilica. 

A new basilica was constructed in 1506, and the same spiral columns were preserved and 

used in the new architecture. They still stand, built into the supports of the church across from Gianlorenzo Bernini’s Baldacchino (one of the greatest examples of Solomonic columns), and are viewed by the millions of visitors to the site every day. 

Church Altar Front                                                                         Church Altar Back

The twisted columns gained popularity in the Catholic regions of Europe and became a feature of the Baroque style. They were often used in altars, on the dial case doors of late 17th and early 18th century longcase clocks and the legs of French, Dutch and English furniture. 

Louis XIII Style Barley Twist Desk

Barley Twist Side Table

Louis XIII Barley Twist Hunting Buffet

While English collectors and dealers often refer to the twisted shape as barley sugar twist after the sweet barley sugar twist stick candy that resembled the 17th and early 18th century leg, the French prefer torsade or barley twist.

1.  Louis XIII Style Barley Twist Dining Chairs  2.  18th Century Louis XIII Style Walnut Armoire 
3.  French Louis XIII Style Side Table  4. Rare Louis XIII Open Barley Twist Writing Table

It's easy to add a French Twist to any decor!

À Bientôt!

Lolo & Mimi

TO MARKET, TO MARKET

To market, to market...but not to buy a fat pig! Lolo was looking for buffets, bergerès and bonnetieres. 

Period Directoire Buffet

Period Empire Enfilade

Louis XV Buffet

Country French Buffet

Louis XIII Enfilade Buffet

Louis XV Bergère à Oreilles (with Ears)

No bonnetieres at this market, but baskets, benches and bedside tables were plenty.

Boulangerie Baskets

Louis XV Bench

Louis Philippe Chevet

Louis Philippe Chevet

Louis Philippe Chevet

And though he didn't buy a fat pig, it seems he did get the fat hog! 

Period Louis Philippe Bibliothèque

So it's home again, home again jiggety-jog!

À Bientôt!

Lolo & Mimi

A BIG DEAL

Once considered old-fashioned and stodgy, antiques are now hip and en vogue. Designers are mixing antique furniture with modern and traditional interiors to create a look that appears as though it's evolved over time. They're often choosing antiques over mass produced furnishings, thanks to Karen Luisana and Amanda Lane Kinney, the visionaries behind the Antique and Design Center of High Point. Antiques aren't thought of as just brown wood anymore. They're actually très chic...and green, whether brown wood, painted or gilded. Karen and Amanda founded the Antique and Design Center of High Point in 2010 in an effort to create a central location for designers and buyers attending High Point Market to find beautiful, one of a kind pieces. TheHighBoy.com is taking their concept a step further. They're making the antiques we're so passionate about and fond of available to the masses. The HighBoy is a fabulous source for everyone, not just designers. 

Antique Louis XV Bureau Plat

As the newest competitor to online antiques and design mega-site 1stdibs, The HighBoy is not just "kind of a big deal," as it states on Instagram and Twitter, it is a BIG DEAL! Being included as an established dealer on their new website is also a BIG DEAL! We were thrilled to receive our dealer kit from them this week. 

The Highboy Dealer Kit

Lolo and I met The HighBoy founders, Douglas Scott and his wife, Olga Granda-Scott last fall in Round Top, Texas, during Antiques Week. When they asked us to be a part of their new venture, we were certain they were serious about refurbishing the antiques industry. According to Douglas in an article published by the Wall Street Journal this week, "he wants The HighBoy to be seen as 'a little raggedy, but sexy and fun and appeal to a broad audience.'" They want to change the way people think about antiques and art. They're bringing sexy back to the wonderful world of antiques! 

Art Deco Dining Table and Set of 6 Leather Chairs

The HighBoy's tagline, "Antiques simplified," is just that. The HighBoy is simplifying the process by finding vendors and dealers that are knowledgable and trusted, and offer a wide variety of curated antiques. Only established dealers are approved to sell on the site. There's no yard sale junk listed. Dealers sign an annual contract and every item is vetted by a committee before it's posted. The HighBoy's mission to make antiques more accessible to potential new consumers and easier for dealers to reach them is just what this business needs. The Wall Street Journal is betting on them, "The HighBoy is young, but you could say its odds of success get better every day: In the world of antiques, after all, value comes with age." Yep, The HighBoy is a BIG DEAL.

Country French Bassette

Antique French Empire Chest of Drawers

Pair of Louis XIV Fauteuils

Look for Lolo French Antiques et More on The Highboy next week! 

Á Bientôt!

Lolo & Mimi

PREFERRED SEATING

Select your seat! Whether you prefer Art Deco leather club chairs with a wonderful aged patina or an Os de Mouton canapé, Lolo has found your preferred seating. Take a peek at a few of the fabulous seats that will be available in our shop soon.

Pair of Art Deco Leather Club Chairs

Nailhead Trim

Rolled Back

These classic club chairs exude luxury and character, evoking an era of gentlemen's clubs, when well-dressed men met and relaxed in a comfortable chair with a drink and perhaps a cigar. They are timeless, offering an instant sense of history. You can't go wrong with this seat selection!

Pair of Os de Mouton Armchairs with Set of 6 Dining Chairs

Pair of Os de Mouton Fauteuils

Side View of Os de Mouton Fauteuil with Nailhead Trim

Os de Mouton Canapé

Set of 6 Os de Mouton Dining Chairs

Sets of Os de Mouton Dining Chairs

 Os de Mouton chairs are the perfect dining chair. Solid frames and shapely legs give these chairs a classic, timeless appearance while graceful carvings, paired with upholstered backs and seats with nailhead trim, add elegance...and the Os de Mouton canapé would make a charming banquette. Everyone will prefer these seats at the dining table!

Set of 6 Louis XIII Rush Seat Chairs

Set of 6 Louis XV Rush Seat Chairs

These casual, country French chairs offer more traditional French styling. They work around the table and around the room. Select this seat for a variety of seating options.

Hand Carved Louis XIII Bench

Unusual Bench with Glass Front Cabinet Doors

Louis XIII Bench with Storage

Antique French Church Pew

Side View of Church pew

Benches like these are great for use in the foyer, mudroom, bedroom, kitchen and even dining room. They can be used in basically any room. With storage in cubbies and seats, they are ideal for hiding toys, linens and all kinds of clutter!

Louis XV Bergère à Oreilles (with Ears)

Crest Rail Detail

Leg Detail

These lovely bergère à oreilles (with ears) are both comfortable and decorative. They are a version of the wing chair with upholstered "wings" that shielded the face from fireplace heat or from draughts. Select them for their beautiful curved lines, carvings and upholstery. They also can be used in almost any room.

Pair of Leather Henri II Armchairs

Pair of Louis XIII Fauteuils

Pair of Carved Louis XVI Fauteuils

Any pair of these armchairs is a classic French chair. The tooled leather and graceful curves of the arms on the Henri II pair make a bold statement in a room. The upholstered seats of the Louis XIII and Louis XVI fauteuils make them a more comfortable choice, but all pairs are stately, classic French chairs.

Antique Prie-dieu

Prie-dieu are usually decorative but make great chairs for kids. Pull them up under the coffee table and they're great for playing games. They also make a good seat for kids to sit in while eating in front of the TV.

Lolo Found a Preferred Seat at Mont Saint-Michel!

Now sit back, relax and look over the seating. Be sure and "Let Lolo Know" when you've selected your seat!

Á Bientôt!

Lolo & Mimi