THE NEO-CLASSIC MOVEMENT 463

Mahogany, walnut, rosewood, fruitwoods, and also precious
woods of many kinds were used for furniture. Graining was ap-
preciated and was sometimes featured. The usual finishes were
enamel or paint in delicate tints and gold.

Fabrics. The most popular fabrics were damasks, velvets,
Persian and Indian brocades, figured silks and satins, needlework,
linens, and printed cottons called toiles de Jouy. Stripes were so
common that in 1788 Mercier wrote, "Everybody in the King's
cabinet looks like a zebra." The popular colors were generally
delicate ones like pink, rose, blue, yellow, green, lavender, gray,
and white. The most important carpets of the time were the
Aubusson and Savonnerie.

ITALY

The revival of Classicism about the middle of the eighteenth
century renewed the pride of the Italians in their Classical heritage.
The Italian cabinet makers again produced articles of artistic merit
in contrast to the commonplace work done in the preceding period.

Furniture was commonly made of walnut, although mahogany
and other woods were also used. The decorative processes in
fashion were inlay (especially bone), lacquer, polychrome, paint-
ing, gilding, paper applique, canvas paneling, and carving. Motifs
were mostly Classic. Some of the more usual pieces of furniture
were bookcases, secretaries, wardrobes, chests of drawers, chests,
cabinets, cupboards, chairs, sofas, and tables. Others with more
of a native flavor were the corner cabinets, both standing and
hanging, Venetian credenzas, sets of consoles, prie-dieu, writing
tables, bedside tables, and spinet cases.

To this period belong the most colorful productions of a nation
that understands and loves color, Venice particularly showing orig-
inality and brilliance in its use of the Neo-Classic style*

SPAIN

The eighteenth century in Spain was lacking in creative decora-
tive art. The Neo-Classic period produced chiefly imitations of
the furniture of France, Italy, and England, but the proportions
were usually larger and the structures heavier. Fortunately the
native custom of covering furniture with fabrics .and decorating
with mounts continued.