The chamber was hung with twenty-five lengths of gold and green damask, and twenty-four lengths of crimson damask of a large pattern (the length being 2½ ells). These hangings were trimmed all around and on the seams with gold braid. The bed was composed of three outside valances, two bonnes grâces, two cantonnières, three valances on the frame of the bed, three valances on the courtepointe, and four pommes. All the interior hangings were gold and green, and all the outside ones were of crimson damask. The courtepointe was crimson damask. These draperies were ornamented with a wide gold braid and gold fringe. The pommes supported four bunches of white feathers with aigrettes. The three window curtains, each 11 feet long, contained three lengths each of crimson taffeta, trimmed with gold fringe. There were other hangings in this room: two portières, two alcove curtains, and the interior draperies of the niche. The portières were made of two lengths of gold and green damask and one of red damask, trimmed with gold braid. One was lined with red taffeta, the other with green taffeta. The two alcove curtains^[13] were 3¼ ells long, each one being made of two lengths of gold and green damask, and two lengths of crimson damask. This large room contained three fauteuils, twelve folding-stools, four lounges, a lit de repos, a chaise d’affaires of crimson velvet, two tables, two little marquetry desks, a screen, a writing-table, mirror and chandelier. The seats were all covered with red damask, bordered by a band of gold and green damask, and finished with a narrow gold braid and fringe. The lit de repos, 6 feet long by 2 feet, 4 inches wide, was covered with the same damasks as well as its four pillows. The latter were finished with gold braid, fringe, and tassels at each corner. Another lit de repos stood in the niche. The tables 4 feet long by 4 feet, 4 inches wide, were of pine with walnut feet. Their covers were made of the two damasks already described (mi-party), the top being of red velvet. These cloths were nailed to the table, and trailed on the floor. They were ornamented with gold braid and fringe. The screen consisted of five leaves 3½ feet high. Three of its leaves were of gold and green damask, and two of red damask. Gold braid brightened it. The writing-table was of violet-wood, 4 feet, 8 inches long by 20 inches wide. Over it was a green velvet cover, edged with gold. The little desks of marqueterie d’étain were probably Boulle’s. They were 2 feet 9½ inches long, and 1 foot 9 inches wide. Each one contained four drawers and a door in the front, behind which were three interior drawers, and stood upon eight termed pillars of marquetry the capitals and bases of which were of silvered wood. The feet were pineapples silvered. These were covered with a carpet of green taffetas, lined with serge.

The niche^[14] was of oak 5 feet, 10 inches long by 2 feet, 10 inches wide and 8½ feet high. It was hung inside with four lengths of red damask and three lengths of the gold and green damask already described, the seams being covered with narrow gold braid. The outside was hung with three lengths of gold and green damask and two lengths of red damask, the seams hidden by gold braid.

The lit de repos placed lengthwise in the niche was 5½ feet long and 2½ feet wide, therefore nearly filling up the niche. It was covered with a square of green taffeta, to which were attached three valances of gold and green damask ornamented with gold braid and fringe. The two pillows and bolsters were covered with the same damask, ornamented with gold braid, fringe and tassels. A coverlet, crimson satin on one side and green satin on the other, was invitingly ready for the lounger.

The Garde-robe behind the bed was hung with crimson damask of a small pattern, trimmed with gold braid. The portière was of the same. Here stood a tabouret covered with red velvet ornamented with gold and silver fringe.

The hangings of the Grand Cabinet on the Arcade consisted of thirty-one lengths of gold brocade with flowers in gold thread, and thirty-one lengths of red damask of small design. The length was 2¼ ells. This was also used to decorate the space over the chimney. The frames of the seats were painted red picked out with gold. These comprised a fauteuil and eight tabourets covered with crimson velvet ornamented with gold braid and fringe, two small and twelve large folding-stools covered with crimson damask. In this room stood also a large sofa with two backs of gilded wood, known in that day as canapé à cremaillères (sofa with adjustable back). It was furnished with a mattress, covered on both sides with crimson velvet ornamented with gold braid, and valances of red velvet ornamented with gold braid and fringe. Its two round bolsters and two square pillows were similarly covered and decorated with gold tassels. The dimensions of this species of lit de repos were 7 feet, 2 inches long and 2½ feet wide. The window curtains were of red taffeta. Red taffeta was also used to line a handsome armoire here (7 feet, 9 inches high, 5 feet wide, and 3 feet, 2 inches deep) in which there were two shelves also draped with the said taffeta. The top of the armoire and the spaces over the doors were also covered with crimson taffeta. The two mirrors and the chandelier were supplied with cords and tassels of gold. In this sumptuous room were three superb pieces of marquetry—two desks and a cabinet—a walnut bureau, and about ten tables, most of which were card tables of various kinds; and one, a little walnut table used for meals in bed.

The Garde-robe en suite had a window curtain of white cotton and a small curtain of white taffeta. It contained a small upholstered bed, with a pavilion of red serge. The two small folding-seats, the frames of which were painted red picked out with gold, were covered with red velvet trimmed with a narrow gold braid.

Mademoiselle d’Aumale’s chamber at Versailles (1708) contained both a bed and a lit de repos, besides two fauteuils, five folding-seats, a small chair, a screen, two tables, the lower part of an armoire and a bureau. The bed 6 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 6 feet, 3 inches high, was hung with crimson and white damask of small pattern, and trimmed with a braid and fringe of red, white, and black silk. One fauteuil and the five folding-stools, the frames of which were painted red picked out with white, were covered with the same crimson and white damask, and the same fringe as the bed. The same fringe decorated a small chair with a back that was covered with red damask. The other fauteuil was covered with red linen. Its frame was painted green picked out with gold. The lit de repos was upholstered in crimson damask; two of its pillows were of the same, and two of red velvet, trimmed with gold braid. The window curtains were of white damask, trimmed with a braid and fringe of gold and silver. The screen, 3 feet 2 inches high, was of four leaves, and was covered with red velvet, trimmed with gold and silver braid. One of the tables, 3 feet, 3 inches long by 2 feet wide, was of beech, and was covered with a carpet of red London serge falling to the floor on all sides, the other was a walnut table, 25 inches by 18 inches, with a folding leg. The lower part of the armoire was also covered with a cloth of red London serge. The bureau was of marquetry of cherry-wood, inlaid with green ebony in foliage design. It had compartments, four drawers, and a door, and stood on eight legs of term-shaped pillars of the same marquetry, the bases and capitals being of gilded wood. This piece of furniture was 2 feet 9 inches long, and 1 foot 9 inches wide.

The cabinet of Madame la Maréchale de Rochefort (1708) contained a lit de repos, a fauteuil, four chairs with backs, two banquettes, and a table. The lounge with its two round bolsters and two square pillows, and the chairs were covered with aurora-coloured and blue damask, trimmed with gold and silver braid, the wood painted red picked out with aurora. The window curtains, each containing six lengths (2⅓ ells each) were of white damask, trimmed with a braid of gold and silver, and there were also two small curtains of white taffetas, and a portière of Venetian brocatelle of blue background with flowers of aurora, white, and black, lined with aurora-coloured serge. The table, 2 feet 7 inches long by 23 inches wide, was of violet wood, inlaid with ebony and white wood. It contained a drawer, and was supported on four termed pillars with gilt bases and capitals.

The chamber of Mlle. Gaudry (1708) had in it a bed, a fauteuil de commodité, five folding-seats, and two bureaux. The bed, composed of three outside hangings, three large curtains, two bonnes grâces, valances, and pommes, was draped in crimson Lyons damask, trimmed with a braid of aurora-coloured silk. The seats were upholstered in red velvet, trimmed with red and aurora-coloured silk. One of the bureaux was covered with a carpet of red leather, lined with red serge; the leather carpet of the other was lined with green serge.

The apartments of the Duke of Orleans at Versailles in 1708 consisted of an antechamber, a chamber, a cabinet and a garde-robe beside the chamber.

The antechamber was hung with gold leather on a red background, the designs representing branches and masques of gold, and children and birds in natural hues. An eight-leaved screen, seven feet high, a form covered with red moquette and the lower part of an armoire furnished this room.

The chamber contained a bed, four fauteuils, three chairs with backs, six folding-stools, two screens, a table, a bureau en commode, two guéridons, a fauteuil de commodité and six tabourets. The window-curtains were of white damask, trimmed with gold fringe, but the room was hung with red velvet of a design of small branches, trimmed with gold braid. The portières, lined with taffeta, were also of this material. The outside draperies of the bed, which was 6½ feet long, 6 feet, 3 inches wide and 10 feet, 10 inches high, were of the same red velvet, trimmed with gold braid and fringe, but the inside curtains, headboard, etc., were of gold watered silk. In the centre of the headboard was a cypher and a fleur-de-lis. The canopy was decorated with four red velvet pommes, upon each of which was a bunch of white feathers. The frames of all the seats were painted red picked out with gold. One of the screens had a gilded frame and was covered with red velvet; the other, covered with red damask with a design of crowns and gold and silver flowers, ornamented with gold braid and a double fringe of gold and silver, was supported by a stem of gilded wood on three console feet. The bureau en commode was of walnut, as was also the small table. The latter was inlaid with ebony, contained a drawer and stood on four twisted columns. This had two table carpets, one of red velvet, lined with taffeta and trimmed with gold braid and gold fringe trailing over the floor; the other, of leather, lined with serge and trimmed with gold braid. The bureau en commode had two large drawers with iron rings. The two tables were of black Chinese lacquer ornamented with gold. They were each 3 feet, 5 inches high, the leg of each resting on three women’s heads of gilt bronze. The fauteuil de commodité was of crimson damask, trimmed with gold and silver fringe, and its frame painted red picked out with gold. The wood of the six tabourets was also red picked out with gold, the legs being term-shaped. These were covered with red damask, having a design of crowns and gold and silver flowers.

The cabinet contained a lit de repos, four fauteuils and four folding-stools, all upholstered in red velvet ornamented with gold braid and gold fringe. The window curtains were of white damask, trimmed with gold fringe. In this room were also two bureaux of marquetry, and a small walnut table, 27 inches long by 17 wide, standing on four turned pillars. The cover for this was green serge bordered with an aurora-coloured braid.

Having seen the apartments of the Duke of Orleans at Versailles, let us look at those of the Duchess there in the same year (1708). The antechamber was rich with a “set of tapestry hangings,”—gilt leather on a white background; and here were also represented festoons of fruits and garlands of flowers in red, green and gold. It was, moreover, enriched with figures of Bacchus, women, children, harpies and gold birds.

The entire room was hung with this (18⅓ ells being required to cover the walls, and 3½ ells were required for the space above the mantel). The furniture included an eight-leaved screen 7 feet high, two forms covered with red flowered moquette, a folding-stool with painted red frame and covered with red linen, and a couch.

The chamber was furnished with a bed, four fauteuils, four chairs with backs, six folding-seats, twelve tabourets, a bureau-table, two tables and a screen. The bed was superb. It was 6 feet wide, 6 feet, 9 inches long and 11 feet high. It was mi-party (i. e., divided half and half), of red damask and gold moiré, lined with white moiré and trimmed on the seams and all around the base and top of both valances and curtains with gold braid and gold fringe. The three outside top valances, three lower valances, two bonnes grâces, two cantonnières and four curtains were of the red and gold moiré; the headboard, four interior valances, courtepointe and sheaths of the bed-posts were of silver moiré; the four pommes of red damask and gold moiré carried bunches of white feathers with aigrettes. The fauteuils, chairs and folding-seats were of gilded wood, covered with gold moiré, trimmed with a band of crimson damask, edged with gold braid and gold fringe. The frames of the tabourets were painted red; the covers were red velvet, trimmed with red silk braid. There were two covers for the walnut bureau-table: one of red damask and gold moiré, trimmed with gold braid and fringe; the other of red leather, lined with taffeta and trimmed with a gold braid and gold fringe. The frame of the screen was gilded wood. It was covered with red damask, ornamented with narrow gold braid. The windows were draped in white damask, trimmed with gold fringe. Each curtain was 4⅓ ells long and contained six lengths of material. The cord for the chandelier was of gold and silver and red silk.

The cabine, or little chamber, had similar curtains at the windows. Four fauteuils, four chairs with backs and ten folding-stools were covered with green velvet, trimmed with gold braid and fringe, the frames being painted green, picked out with gold. There was also a small folding-stool, the frame of which was painted red, and the seat of red velvet trimmed with gold and silver fringe. In this room stood a walnut commode, a card-table and a large marquetry cabinet.

The prevalence of the fashionable hue of aurora is to be noted at Val. The Salon was hung in Venetian brocatelle, aurora-coloured background with trailing branches of blue. The space over the chimney-piece was also adorned with this rich textile, although the spaces over the four doors were covered with aurora taffeta. The nine tabourets in this room were upholstered with the rich Venetian brocatelle and trimmed with a silk fringe of aurora and blue. The frames were painted blue picked out with gold. The stools had also coverings of aurora taffeta.

The King’s Chamber was furnished in aurora and white damask, containing the bed and customary seats. The portières were lined with aurora taffeta and trimmed with a braid and fringe of gold and silver.

The King’s Cabinet contained a lit de repos, six folding-stools, and two square pillows. These were covered to match the draperies in a rich damask of aurora-coloured flowers on a blue background. The lit de repos was somewhat unusual, as over it hung a kind of pavilion. The mattresses, bolsters and pillows were upholstered with the damask just described, but the pavilion was hung with a striped material of aurora, white, blue and black arranged in three little curtains looped over a large curtain which fell to the floor, but which was looped back. The drapery was trimmed with a braid and fringe of gold and silver.

The Passage was draped in a blue silk damask with white woollen flowers trimmed with a blue silk Flanders brocatelle with aurora and white flowers.

In the Guard-room, the hangings were of red Flanders brocatelle with woollen flowers of aurora and white, the borders of the hangings being green brocaded with branches of aurora and white. There were six forms in this room, covered with moquette of various colours edged with braid and fastened to the frames with gold-headed nails.

The Square room was draped in green Genoa damask, which was also used for the portières, lined with green taffeta, and the twelve tabourets. The frames of the latter were painted green picked out with gold.

In the Oval room, the hangings were of Venetian brocatelle with aurora background upon which large green bunches were outlined with white. There were four lounges in this room and eight oval tabourets. The frames of the latter were painted green picked out with gold. They were trimmed with gold fringe.

The Round room was adorned with a similar brocatelle, but the branches on the aurora-coloured background were red outlined in white. The four lounges here were 4½ feet long, and their frames were painted red picked out with gold.

The Octagon room was hung in crimson damask from Genoa. The seats were eight octagonal tabourets, painted red picked out with gold, and covered with crimson damask nailed to the wood.

In 1675, a little cabinet at Val was furnished with a lit de repos with one back, two chairs, two fauteuils and two tabourets. These were all covered to match the hangings with a brocade of gold and silver on a green satin background and trimmed with gold and silver fringe. There was a curtain of green taffeta and a curtain of white taffeta, and there were slip covers of green taffeta for all the seats. The entire furnishings were given by the King to Madame la Princesse de Conty.

The Salon (Plate XII.) is of fine proportions and gives an idea of the rich frame required for the kind of furniture we have been describing. The doors with two wings are of great importance. Their panels may be decorated with carved motives, or cartouches. The ornaments may be painted, if preferred. The chimney-piece is rarely of white marble: red marble, green marble and breccia were the kinds most frequently employed in Louis XIV.’s time. The slabs of the tables and consoles should be of the same, unless they are of mosaic. Upon the chimney-piece, a Boulle clock, or one with a carved and gilded, or bronze frame, may stand. The candelabra, on either side, containing several arms, are carved and gilt. Andirons in the form of chimæra complete the furnishings of the chimney-piece, where a wood fire should blaze.

Torchères should also be placed in the corners of the room, whose branching arms help to illuminate and decorate the room. The chandelier, in the centre of the room, is crystal and gilt bronze. The walls are arranged in panels for the reception of tapestry, or hangings of some rich nature. The mouldings surrounding the materials are often carved and covered with dull, or burnished gold. The hangings are frequently pictures of tapestry, as shown in Plate XII., or they are of damask, brocade, velvet, or silk. The wall space below the hangings should be wainscotted; it must never, however, attract attention.

Over the chimney-piece a mirror is placed; and directly opposite is another mirror of similar frame. Beneath the latter, a console may stand.

The floor is of parquetry, and in winter is covered with a large Persian or Smyrna rug, or it may have a velvet Aubusson or Savonnerie rug of sober colour, so as not to detract from the hangings.

The ceiling is usually made into caissons, or compartments, painted to harmonize with the draperies. Sometimes, however, these are painted white and gold, a deep oak, aurora, or a lilac grey. The window curtains match the hangings; sometimes they are of tapestry, sometimes of brocade, or damask, or silk, and beneath these heavy curtains white curtains of muslin or silk are hung. In the evening, the heavy curtains are always drawn. They are rarely suspended below a cornice. Sometimes the silk or brocade curtains are trimmed with braid and fringe, and sometimes with a wide border of silk or velvet forming a kind of frame all around the hanging. If portières are used they are usually like the rest of the draperies. If lambrequins are used, they are cut and arranged in the shapes shown on Plate XIX, No. 1 and No. 4.