Maire Antoinette

Marie Antoinette's last commision from Riesener was the furniture for this small salon at Fontainebleau. It's such perfection - mother-of-pearl and steel! The decor is neo-classicism at its peak - and she never saw it......


The decor and furniture were finished and installed after the royal family left Versailles for Paris and their eventual imprinsonment.


In the 19th Century this room became the Empress' Boudoir and a small Salle de Bain was installed in the room just beyond - which you can now see thru the window. Laurance decided to get a closer look at the elegant tub so she stepped across the barrier, the alarm went off, the guard came! However, this being Fontainebleau and not Versailles, it was not much of a fuss - no French jail for us!


Absolute perfection - a splendor that is restrained and beautiful.


It's mad, it's intoxicating, it's heart-breaking.