Liège Style Furniture | The d'Ansembourg Museum | Carved Architectural detail

Patrick Damiaens at the d'Ansembourg Museum

Ornamental Woodcarver 

Patrick Damiaens visits the d'Ansembourg Museum in liege (Belgium)

Liège style furniture is of an exceptional quality, profuse yet delicately decorated and of a solid structure.

It reached its peak in the XVIIIth century.

 In 705 Lambert, the bishop of Tongres-Maastricht, was murdered in a little chapel.This very spot became a place of pilgrimage and thus, the city of Liège was born. The village grew. Next to the church, consecrated to Cathedral, a Palace was built .

In 1196 the place received priveleges thanks to the bishop Albert de Cuyck. In the 14th Century Liège became the capital of an independent principality. Jammed between hostile neigbours ( France and the Spanish Low Countries) it tried to maintain its independence and had commercial dealings with all parties.

From the end of the 16th century onwards Liège grew into a really prosperous town. The main activities of the region were coal, weaponry, metallurgical industry and glass.

When finally a peace was concluded in the17th century, the Golden Age started for Liège. The Princes, the powerful aristocracy and a rich bourgeoisie attracted many craftsmen to this city.

Carved Ornamental Detail in wood

This way, a profusely decorated kind of furniture of a very high quality, mostly of oak , came into existence.

The period from 1735 to1790 is commonly known as the "Liègeois Regency Style" by analogy with the French " Régence Style". Yet,this liègeois period includes a whole series of styles, ranging from a late Louis XIV Style up to Rocaille and early Neo-Classical Style.

These Styles occur in rapid succesion and sometimes one piece of furniture shows different styles. Even at the height of Rocaille and German Baroque ,Liègeois furniture remains faithful to a certain symmetry and sobriety, so very typical of Recency.

Up to the beginning of the XVIIth Century, Liègeois furniture was very sober as far as style was concerned.

Flemish and Brabantine Baroque hadn't penetrated here yet. Under the influence of Paris all this changed, though.

All pieces of Liège Style furniture were decorated with the most beatiful and refined carving.

 MORE info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bishopric_of_Li%C3%A8ge

 

Le Musée d'Ansembourg

Le Musée d'Ansembourg a Liége, Belgique. Le Musée des Arts Décoratifs du 18e siécle. dédié au mobilier Liègeois .

Museum d'Ansembourg in Liége ,belgium. Wonderful interiors of the 18th century , dedicated to Liége style woodcarving .Liége Style Furniture . The Liége furniture of the Eighteenth Century ( Liége = City in Belgium) Know for it's Carved oak Furniture. In the 17th century the Belgian town of Liége became prosperous due to its coal mining, metal processing, and glass refining industries. It evolved into a fashionable residence for princes, aristocracy, and wealthy merchants who had money to spend on lavish, expensive furniture.

Interior of the d'Ansembourg Museum

The city soon became famous for its Liége-Style furniture.( 18th century) It is characterized by beautifully and delicately carved decoration, usually with a thickness of 5 mm.

When you visit Liége, go see the d'Ansembourg Museum , the Museum is dedicated too Liége Style Furniture and the 18e Century interiors of Belgium.

 Liège Tourist information:http://www.visitbelgium.com/maps/liegemap.htm

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