The Lost Code

Chest

18th century
Painted pine
H. 54.5 cm
L.105 cm
W. 49 cm
The first French settlers in New France recreated the furniture styles they knew from home. Since the Louis XIII style is what predominated across France, that is the main style people adopted here. Louis XIII furniture is characterized by its austere, heavy, and very structured style, geometric motifs (lozenges, diamond points, Saint Andrew's crosses), H-shaped chair and table bases, and baluster and spiral turnery. This Louis XIII-inspired chest is adorned with Saint Andrew's crosses.
Musée de la civilisation collection, 68-2244