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Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Empire Furniture Found In Sweden



http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0500281068/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=shatteparadi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0500281068

The Empire style is often considered the second phase of Neoclassicism which flowed through Europe and America until around 1830. It gained footing outside these the major metropolitan centers well past the mid-nineteenth century. The style originated with the rule of Napoleon I, who was known as the First French Empire. The style corresponds to the Biedermeier style which was associated with King Carl XIV Johan who had strong German and Danish influences. Biedermeier styled furniture  expanded to many different areas  of Sweden and stretched to areas such as Vienna, Germany, Russia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Biedermeier furniture was not an individual movement in one area, but rather as a series of ideas that gained tremendous popularity that extended past regions and boundaries. (All pictures From Neoclassicism in the North: Swedish Furniture and Interiors 1770-1850)
It all started in Sweden when the Empire style first started to flourish in 1823 when Queen Desiree returned to Sweden after twelve years of being in Paris, and the prosperous middle-class families demanded quality, elegant, yet practical furniture at a reasonable price points.   Desiree who was once the fiancée of Napoleon Bonaparte, and lived and breathed in the Empire style for many years, so it was no wonder the style took shape when she returned to Sweden after being in France for so many years.

Empire Furniture Found in Sweden - Neoclassicism in the North: Swedish Furniture and Interiors 1770-1850
Desiree Clary's life was an interesting one. We often think that monarchy enjoys the best of the best, but her life seemed to be sadly puzzling.   Napoleon Bonaparte was once involved with Desiree Clary, but later became involved with Joséphine de Beauharnais whom he then married, and broke off his engagement with Désirée.   Désirée then moved in with her sister Julie and her brother-in-law Joseph, who was the French ambassador to Rome. Designers of Empire design drew their inspiration from Classical Imperial Rome, so it was interesting that she danced around the Roman design which could have influenced her interest, which later saw its emergance in Sweden.
Her husband Jean Baptiste Jules Bernadotte married Desiree Clary and was elected to the throne in Sweden in 1810. Désirée became quite depressed when she found out that she was to leave Paris. When she arrived in Sweden for the first time and she really had a tough time.   She must have felt so at home in France that she didn't entertain the idea of moving to a foreign country. She didn't comply to the demands of formal court etiquette, and the snobbery from the Queen and general court was too much for her to deal with. She never did learn the Swedish language, and kept her self quite distant in her new court. In addition, the harsh winters of Sweden were more than she could handle. She moved to Sweden in the middle of winter and shock of the cold weather left her endlessly crying.
She just didn't want to be there, and did not want to move from France.  She dug her heels in with her stubbornness, or perhaps the realization of the sad reality of what she left in France. The Queen found her to be spoiled and described Desiree as "a French woman in every inch," who disliked and complained about everything which was not French. She missed her home in Paris so much that she simply returned to Paris, and stayed there for twelve years, even leaving her husband and her son behind, and disregarded that it was a difficult period time for Sweden as they were at war with France.
 Her husband met her in Paris some time later, but again returned to Sweden without her as she didn't want to leave. She was ridiculed by the court of France, and felt hated in Sweden. After twelve years in France she returned to Sweden and it was then that the Empire style really took shape and became popular, mostly from Queen Desiree's love for France, and the neoclassical movement that surrounded her for many years. Perhaps she was bringing a bit of France (which she considered her her true home) to Sweden.
Neoclassicism in the North: Swedish Furniture and Interiors 1770-1850 features twenty houses and apartments elegantly furnished in the Swedish Neoclassical style. 
 From royal salons with exquisite Pompeian style to  modest spatter-painted Biedermeier halls, the beautiful Neoclassical houses of Sweden are of interest to any person who closely follows Empire Furniture.  
The text traces the evolution of the Neoclassical style in Sweden, placing it in its wider European context, and explores each of the buildings and its history. Plans, and original drawings are included in this book by the architects and designers.
This is one of my personal favorite books that can be found on Neoclassical furniture.  It combines some really rich interiors, but also those with a unique Swedish twist, - white washed floors, plank wood walls, painted interiors, much like French but entirely Swedish.  I know you will enjoy this variation of Empire furnishings.  This is one of the best books I have personally owned.

More Amazon Customer Reviews of Desiree


5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful ...January 23, 2010
By 
K. Mink (Muskegon, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Désirée (Paperback)
I love historial fiction, of any kind. I was stunned to see that there were no reviews on this book. I found this book years ago in a small town library. I will honestly tell you that I almost never read a book twice, but I have read this book about four times. I never get tired of it. It's rich in historical history regarding Napoleon, which at the time I wasn't interested in, but I soon became a fan.

This is a fictional story about a true character in the life of Napoleon. Desiree was Napoleon's first love, BEFORE Josephine. When he leaves Desiree for Josephine, Desiree is devasated and runs out of a little salon in France where she discovered the relationship that Napoleon was hiding from her. She wants to throw herself off a bridge, but is waylaid by a tall, handsome gentleman who she eventually marries. It turns out Mr. Tall and Handsome is the man who is eventually Napoleon's right hand man, and finally Napoleon's downfall and is one of Generals that fight to defeat Napoleon. It is truly a real life twist of fate that I cannot believe has not had more mention. Desiree was even made into a movie with Marlo Brandow.

I giggle a lot in the book, because Desiree's character is very self reflective, she talks to herself a lot, and she's very down to earth. Read this book. It will not disappoint. If you can find it. Unforunately I don't think it is even in print anymore.
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5.0 out of 5 stars A must read!!!!!May 21, 2009
This review is from: Désirée (Paperback)
What is it like to have been loved for two of the most powerful men in her time? Just read it!!!!!!
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5.0 out of 5 stars Original Romance Novel, Written in 1953May 4, 2009
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This is a very good book. It was written in 1953. A historical romance. Well worth reading were it all began.
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars But for the fact that she went to get her brother out of jail....April 6, 2009
By 
Misfit (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   
This review is from: Désirée (Paperback)
Bernardine Eugénie Désirée Clary, a wealthy silk merchant's daughter, would not have met young impoverished Napoleon Bonaparte and how different her life might have been. Enchanted by the young officer, she invites him and his brother Joseph to her home - where Joseph finds himself attracted to her sister Julie and her very generous dowry. Still too young to wed at fourteen, she and Napoleon are engaged, but the older Joséphine de Beauharnais has something to say about that. Although heartbroken, Désirée recovers and eventually marries French General Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte, although he spends much of their marriage away from Paris in service to the now Emperor of France. Eventually Bernadotte is nominated to become Crown Prince of Sweden, and subsequently King with Désirée as its reluctant Queen.

Written in diary format from Désirée's POV, her story give the reader an inside glimpse at the young Napoleon and his family, through his opulent days as Emperor lavishing gifts and titles on his family, on to his final defeat at Waterloo. As interesting as much of this history was, I found myself snoozing off at times as the author lost me with a too busy cast of characters, too many of which were always called "your royal highness" and nothing else that I had a hard time following who was who. Worse yet, the diary format really painted the author into quite a corner and she had a hard time getting herself out of it at times - frankly she fell out of that corner on more than one occasion. Writing in your diary and you quote verbatim a long long letter from your son? I don't think so. If you're a big fan of anything and everything Napoleonic and want to read more I'd go for it, but definitely not for a first time reader of this period in France's history. 3/5 stars.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Still a favoriteDecember 1, 2008
By 
LRM "LRM" (Ferndale, WA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Désirée (Paperback)
I first read this book 46 years ago a the age of 13, and have reread it many times. For those of you who can read German, I would highly recommend the original version of the book, it is simply better. Miss Selinko was a very gifted writer and the translation does not do her justice. I am sure it can be purchased through Amazon.de
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Historical Romantic Page TurnerFebruary 5, 2008
By 
J. Daniels (Alabama, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Désirée (Paperback)
I was loaned this book by a friend of mine who is German. She was given this book by her mother and read it when she was a child in Germany. Years later she found it in a used book sale here in the states (her current residence) and fell in love with it again. She lent me this book, and I have to say it was wonderful. I learned so much reading this book everything from Napoleonic history to early French fashion. Desiree is a delightful character and her life is fascinating. I recommend this book for anyone. It is a light easy read. I was sad when I finished it because I wanted the story to continue.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful story!April 19, 2006
This review is from: Désirée (Paperback)
This is one of my favorite historical novels. I read it first when I was a girl and a few more times since. Each time enjoying it more and more. I strongly recommend it to anyone who has enjoyed books from Philippa Gregory, Posie Graeme-Evans and Anya Seton (all my favs).
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent ReadOctober 8, 2005
By 
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This review is from: Desiree (Hardcover)
I first read this book years ago while sitting at my grandma's house...I have since read it 4-5 times. It sparked my interest in all the history of that time, and I have since read numerous books on Napoleon...This is a great historical novel and remains one of my favorite books of all times.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars unforgettableDecember 31, 2004
This review is from: Désirée (Paperback)
I read this book years ago and it made such a lasting impression that I am ordering it for my son's lady love who is a highschool english teacher and an avid reader. This was one book that I hated to see the last page come about. Enjoy!!
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How Napoleon's marshal became king of Sweden and Norway



SAT JUN 19, 2010 AT 03:33 PM PDT



by
So Sweden´s crown princess got
married today. She descends from a lot of Europe´s most famous queens: Queen Victoria of Britain, Catherine the great of Russia, Isabella the catholic of Spain, Mary Stuart of the scots.
She also descends from both Napoleon´s first fiancee and his first wife. And from one of Napoleon´s most prominent marshals, Jean Bernadotte which has given name to the family: The Bernadottes. Son of a town lawyer he had a truly remarkable career for that time in Europe.
This year it is 200 years since he arrived in Sweden as new crown prince of Sweden. He would became king a few years later.
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When the petty-noble Bonapartes arrived as refugees at mainland France they made contacts with the extremely rich merchant family, the Clarys, in Marseille. Marriages between the two families were considered appropriate. Napoleon´s brother settled for Julie Clary, while Napoleon becamed engaged with Desiree. But Napoleon kept being interested in other women and when he became seriously involved with Josephine de Beauharnais, 7 years his senior, ahe broke off the engagement. Not without bad conscience, because he had "stolen" Desiree´s virginity and the honor codex of the time to break off an engagement when that that happened. The Swedish royal archives contain a quite bitter letter from Desiree written to Napoleon when he broke up.
However the rich Desiree wouldn´t lack new opportunities. In 1798 a marriage was arranged with one of Napoleon´s general, Jean Bernadotte. He had a prosperous career, she had money.
Jean Bernadotte was born in Pau, capital of the region Bearn in Southern France in 1763. His great-grandfather had been a weaver, his grandfather a tailor and his father was a lawyer.
While his family wanted him to pursue the same career as his father, Jean Bernadotte preferred to enlist himself as a common soldier in the French Marine in 1780. After  8 years he was promoted to sergeant. The events following the French revolutions however, gave him speedy promotions, now even non-nobles could hold high positions. In 1794 he was appointed general.
On the introduction of Napoleon´s French Empire, Bernadotte became one of the Marshals of the Empire. As a reward for his services at Austerlitz (1805) he became the 1st Sovereign Prince of Ponte Corvo, a small town in Italy.
Then in 1810 he was asked to become Crown prince of Sweden and accepted. Why would the Swedes ask a French marshal, son of a lawyer,  to become their king ? Well, they were pretty desperate. In 1807 they had lost Finland, which had been a Swedish "colony" for 700 years, to Russia. As a result, they disposed their king, appointed his senile, childless uncle as king, and started looking for a new man to put on the throne. Their first choice belonged to the Danish royal house, however soon after he had been chosen, he fell of his horse and died. They then thought about the younger brother, but a new idea arose: The best idea to get Finland back might be choose a military leader from France.
So Jean Bernadotte was chosen as new Crown Prince under the name Carl Johan (Carl after the king currently on the throne, Johan as the Swedish version of Jean). Very soon though he would make clear he had no intention of trying to get Finland back as he saw this as military impossible. Instead he put his eyes on Norway.
Norway at that time was ruled by the Danish king, and had been under Danish rule for about 400 years. Denmark-Norway at that time was on Napoleon´s side in the wars. Now
Carl Johan made a deal with England and Russia: to fight with them against Napoleon and get Norway as a reward.
In 1814 his goal was accomplished. At the end of the Napoleon wars he invaded Denmark and secured Norway, the formality was put down in the Treaty of Kiel. While the Norwegians had never seriously revolted against Danish rule, the idea of being handed over to a new Swedish king - like cattle, it was said - was a bit too much. In a hurry an election was put up, and the elected joined to make up a new constitution, wherein they declared sovereignty for the Norwegian nation.
The later events that year, including a small war between Norway and Sweden, forced the Norwegians to give up the claim of sovereignty and accept a Swedish king. The new constitution was upheld with some changes however, which meant that Norway for the first time got a modern parliament. During the rest of the nineteenth century there would be a constant struggle between the Norwegian parliament and Swedish kings andabout how much power each side should have. Except for foreign affairs, the Norwegian parliament managed to get the last word in most affairs, and the Swedish influence would be gradually weakened until the union was abolished in 1905 and Norway for the first time in centuries became a totally independent nation. Christiania (Oslo) in 1814 was a town of about 14 000 with few of the buildings and institutions European cities and capitals normally had, but soon it was built: a royal castle (for the king when he was in Norway), a university, a parliament building, a theater, building for the supreme court etc.
The struggle with Carl Johan who ruled Sweden from 1814 to 1844 was especially intense, but he was personally well liked, and the semi-independence Norway got under him was after all an enourmous step forward compared to be totally dominated by Denmark. The main street in Norway´s capital Oslo is named after him: Karl Johans gate.
Finland who became an autonomous Grand Duchy within the Russian empire experienced some of the same as Norway. They became independent in 1917 (resulting in a civil war in 1918), had to fight the russians again during WWII and as a former part of the Russian empire they were lucky not to be included in the Sovietunion (like the Baltic nations were). The had to be very careful during the cold war not to provoke the Soviets.
Back to the Bernadottes. While Josephine never managed to produce an heir to Napoleon, which would eventually lead to their divorce, she did have two children from a former marriage. Her son Eugene would marry a Bavarian princess and their daughter who was named Josephine after her grandmother would marry Carl Johan´s son Oscar 1 and thus become queen of Sweden and Norway.
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From right to left:
King Carl Johan, aka Jean Baptiste Bernadotte
Crown prince Oscar, son of Carl Johan and Desiree
Crownprincess Josephine, married to Oscar, granddaughter of Empress Josephine
Desiree Clary, Queen Desideria
Crown princess Victoria wore a Camelia diadem today that Josephine, the bavarian princess, brought to Sweden and which she had inherited from her grandmother, empress Josephine. It´s made in Paris and was given as a gift from Napoleon to Empress Josephine in 1809. I think Crown princess Josephine is wearing it in the painting above. Victoria´s mother, Silvia Renate Sommerlath, wore the same diadem when she married King Carl Gustav at the exact same date 34 years ago. Oscar and Josephine also married on this date in 1834.
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The new prince Daniel is of the "small people", Victoria met him when he worked as her personal trainer. Her father initially was sceptical to the idea of Daniel as prince, but these days even royal heirs insist on marrying the one they love, so Victoria got the prince of her heart. (Carl-Henric Svanberg btw. was invited to the wedding, but didn´t attend as he was occupied elsewhere..)

ORIGINALLY POSTED TO MARIKEN ON SAT JUN 19, 2010 AT 03:33 PM PDT.

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