M. FORD CREECH ANTIQUES & FINE  ARTS

 

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A FEW FRENCH "CURVES" IN ENGLAND

 

(A "WOMAN'S" STORY)

 


 

Although England and France had their ups and downs throughout much of their early history,

 there were a few strong alliances made between the two countries -

through shapely young women.

Particularly during the Plantagenet reign, there were many young French Queen consorts to English Kings,

arranged often as land unions and peace treaties. Marriages proved very successful for 3 of these ladies -

 one originating the Tudor and one the Stuart lines, that follow the Plantagenet's .

 

However, the majority of these French ladies were either much disliked by the English......

 

or ... they just kept going back home.

 


 

Among the first and most important of French "Curves" (may we call them) to influence in England was

 

 

Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122-1204)

Eleanor remains one of the most incredible women in Medieval history. She was not only a woman of power,

but known for her tremendous wit and beauty. She was Queen consort of both Louis VII (France),

and later Henry II (England) - to whom she bore 8 children, 3 of whom became Kings.

I think you will recall her magnificent portrayal by Katherine Hepburn in "Lion in Winter", opposite Peter O'Toole as Henry II. 

Primarily due to marital conflicts, Eleanor took refuge back France, where she set up her own court.

When she returned to England, Henry imprisoned her for 16 years -

- freeing her not until the end of his life.

(This is but a tiny except from Eleanor's story). 

                         

  Further, Eleanor selected 3-year old

Margaret of France (1157-1197)

as consort for her 5-year old son Henry the Young King -

- which marriage Henry later had annulled on charges of adultery,

and sent Margaret back to France.

and

Isabella of Angoulême (1188-1246) her seal above right :

 a beautiful, curvy 14 year-old, apparently captivated the

imagination and passions of Eleanor's son, King John.

But after 16 years of betrayal and mistrust (and 5 children).

Isabella also returned to France.

 

 

This "French curve", and later Regent, is oft-described as the She-wolf of France :

Isabella of France (1295-1358)

Wife to Edward II, Isabella of France is described in literature as a beautiful but cruel and manipulative woman.

She really disliked Edward's alliances so just overthrew him - and possibly had him done in.

She didn't go home; however I suspect the English wished she would!

She is shown above in the 15th century manuscript Froissart's Chronicles, demanding complete allegiance of two adversaries.

 

 

Isabella of Valois (1389-1409)

This Isabella was the second consort to Richard II, as yet another very young (only 7) "curvy" move toward peace with France.

The first consort had been Anne of Bohemia, who was also disliked, particularly as she came with no dowry.

Despite the "arrangement" - and Isabella's young age - Isabella and Richard developed a great mutual admiration - 

so much so that when Richard died, Isabella (at age10) defied King Henry's demands that she marry his son, future Henry V.

Henry finally allowed Isabella to return to France.

 

 

Margaret of Anjou (1429-82), Queen Consort of Henry IV

This marriage was again part of a peace treaty that brought a temporary pause to the War of Roses (over the French crown).

Although she played a significant part in her husband's reign, her role in defending her son Edward's claim to the throne

ignited a war that ruined part of the nobility of England, and caused the deaths of thousands of men --

including the heir Edward.

Margaret was imprisoned and the King of France finally paid a ransom for her

return to France, where she lived in poverty until her death in Anjou (1482)

 

Perhaps the plight of one of Great Britain's own should also be included here :

 

 

Mary (Stuart) Queen of Scots (1542-1587)

This time it was the other way around - Scotland's Queen Mary spent most of her youth in France, due to her father's death. 

She was betrothed to the Dauphine Louis of France at age 5, and became queen of France at age 6.

She and King Francis got on famously!  But at the king's death, she was heartbroken and

returned to Great Britain -- where her cousin Elizabeth I was so threatened by Mary's rumored claim to the crown

that Elizabeth eventually imprisoned her for 18 years.  Mary was executed at age 44.

 

The last of these "curvy" French consorts was wife to Charles I (Grandson to Mary Queen of Scots) :

  

 

Henrietta Maria of France (1609-1669)

Henrietta Maria was described as "a woman well past her prime, her arms were long and lean, her shoulders uneven,

and some of her teeth were coming out of her mouth like tusks" - but pretty eyes and a good complexion.

  However, she had a strong influence on Charles, and US state of Maryland was even named after her. 

For various reasons, including the Parliament-ordered execution of Charles I -

Henrietta also took one refuge after another in France, where she finally died.

 

 

So far, in 500 plus years, little had resulted in LASTING "FRENCH CURVES" for ENGLAND.

 


 

But finally - A RESOLUTION !

 

It was not until c1700, when the French sent over just the shapely

 

"LEG"

 

that a truly permanent alliance was made.

 

In Charles II 1660 England, the "leg" looked like this - stable, stately and "turned" :

 

 

But by 1700, with the introduction of this "French leg" (cabriole), we get this ...

 

... & SUCCESS AT LONG LAST :

 

      On the set of Doctor at Sea, 1955, Vanity Fair

   

Some ingenious Englishman finally "got it", and combined the Chinese bended back with the oh-so elegant

Anglicized (French) curved cabriole leg, which under-went various modelings throughout the 18th century -

having the distinct curve of the female lower leg, from knee to ankle and in between. 

This William III walnut chair is among the leg's earliest English use...

not yet with knee returns, but with "nipples"!

 

Edgar Degas, Dancers Tying Shoes, Oil on Canvas, 1883, Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH, USA

 

The shapely cabriole leg is still in great favor today. I might add that in the late Victorian era,

cabriole legs were considered so sensual, that "ruffs" were often placed about chair "ankles",

so as not to influence a young man to improper thoughts.

 

Then we have the voluptuous SHAPED BACK AND SHOULDERS :

 

      Brigitte Bardot , 1965, Viva Maria!, with permission Alsusha.com      

 

In 1751, Thomas Chippendale published his first "Gentleman's Director", introducing "French curves" on English furniture -

even "marrying" French and Chinese forms, forever in print, for the English. 

It was an instant hit!  His work was copied everywhere, and an entire period named after Chippendale in the Americas. 

"Gentleman's Director", Plate XIX, "French Chairs", shows this very distinctive new back that greatly resembles

 the curves of the female back and shoulders

 

CHESTS OF DRAWERS :

From the tried and true English strong and tasteful rectangular shape,

the Georgian chest also assumed a sensual "serpentine curve" to the front - and sometimes the sides.

 (Think also : "Natasha Kinski and the Boa" by Richard Avedon).

 

        Brigitte Bardot at the Savoy hotel in London prior to a Royal Film Performance. with permission PA/PA Archive/Press Association Images

  

Amazing just how similar these curves are to the curves of a woman's body - is it not?

 

Also courtesy of the French, CHESTS GOT HIPS - very "curvy" hips :

 

       Brigitte Bardot on the set of 'Doctor at Sea', 1955. Photo - John Springer

 

Made "in the French manner", English chests  now curve in and out, not only on the front, but on the sides -

just as the female form -- ooh-la-la!

The above chest is actually a "c1780 English commode in the French manner" - which is another story altogether. 

The commode took its roots in a fan-shaped frame covered in silk or lace, introduced by the mistress of Louis XIV -

known as a "commode".  These culminated in supporting the outrageously high hairstyles sported by late 18th century ladies,

exemplified by Marie Antoinette herself.  The name commode grew to mean large (commodious) and eventually applied to large,

often curved chests, both in English and French tastes.

The first commodes were known about 1700 in France, and 1740 in England - hips and all.

 

The " commode " coiffure is the English counterpart of the French Loge d'Opera and other monstrosities. So high was it worn, that fashionable ladies were obliged, in travelling, to lean out of their coaches.

 

So you ladies everywhere - no matter the state of your "curves", remember :

that the female form and mystique - whether young, middle-aged, or old, is a different kind of power -

perhaps the most intoxicating and addictive of all -

and much imitated - whether we realize it of not!


 

Our best wishes for you on the day set aside for women :

 

To Celebrate Womanhood,

Be Family Royalty,

or perhaps a "curvy" Beauty Queen!

 

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

 


 

The above furniture images are linked to the larger descriptive pages. 

Just click the image, or bold underlined text.

 

 As usual, please email or call if you have any questions.

 

Millicent Ford Creech

 

901-761-1163 (gallery) / 901-827-4668 (cell)

 

581 S. PERKINS ROAD / LAURELWOOD COLLECTION / MEMPHIS, TN 38117

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.A Few French "Curves" in England : A "Woman's" Story