A cabriole leg is one of (usually four) vertical supports of a piece of
furniture shaped in two
curves; the upper
arc is
convex, while lower is
concave; the upper curve always bows outward, while the lower curve bows inward. The
axes of the two curves must lie within the same
plane. This design was used by the ancient
Chinese and
Greeks, but emerged in
Europe in the very early 18th century, when it was incorporated into the more curvilinear styles produced in
France,
England and
Holland. According to Bird, "nothing symbolises 18th century furniture more than the cabriole leg." The cabriole design is often associated with bun or the "ball and claw" foot design. In England this design was characteristic of
Queen Anne and
Chippendale furniture. In France the cabriole leg is associated with the
Louis XV period of furniture design. The cabriole design appeared for the first time in the
USA in the 18th century. The basis of its original concept was emulated upon legs of certain four-footed
mammals, especially
ungulates. The
etymology of this term specifically derives from the French word cabrioler, meaning to leap like a
goat.
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