Restoration Style (1660–1685)

Restoration Style, also named Carolean style, was present in England during the restoration of the Charles II monarchy.

Black and white portrait of Charles II with a straight mustache and long, luscious locks.
Portrait of Charles II from Oak Room at Cashiobury

 Image source: https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/336b5818-5427-4560-8215-340a56a67a41

History of Carolean Style

The Carolean style, or Restoration Style, emphasizes English decorative arts, which became popular after Charles II came back to the throne in 1660. His return from exile on the continent brought the elimination of the Puritan severity in the country. A completely new taste for magnificence and opulence, as well as the introduction of Dutch and French artistic influence, created a whole new sensibility.

A white stone bust of Charles II.
Charles II portrait bust (1684) by Honor Pelle

Image source: https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/298b2878-3b7b-4f51-8758-c02adff4b4ab by Yair Haklai

Restoration Period Masterpieces

Squerryes Court in Westerham is a beautiful estate of red bricks built for Sir Nicholas Crisp, who purchased the land in 1680. It is a manor house designed in the Restoration period.

Squerryes Court in Westerham, Kent: A red-brick building with large white windows on the first and second floors. An arched, white door sits in the center and blue skies fill the background.
Squerryes Court, in Westerham, Kent

Image source: https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/82470492-e6e9-438b-b674-e8c752d7616a by L2F1

Ham House in Richmond became restored in the 1670s by the Duke of Lauderdale. The architect was William Samwell, and the ceilings had baroque murals by Antonio Verrio.

Old Father Thames Statue Outside Ham House in Richmond London: A large, dark-stone estate with a variety of large windows. A small statue sits outside the front of the mansion.
Old Father Thames Statue Outside Ham House, in Richmond, London

Image source: https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/c6246283-b2e7-4dc2-8486-d471f4ec97ef by Jim Linwood

Charles II wanted architect Hugh May to supervise the modernization of the Royal Apartments in Windsor Castle, where the largest baroque style Apartments exist in England. The extravagant appearance of these new interiors became heightened by expensive textiles and wonderful tapestries.

St Georges Hall, Windsor, which was destroyed in the great fire of 1992.
St George’s Hall, Windsor Castle – destroyed in the great fire of 1992

Image source: https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/ac98ffa1-797a-4344-a773-74d1096b2375 by Ian A Gratton

Characteristics of Restoration Style

These are the main features of this style:

  • Curving Forms – Flowing forms were a feature of the Restoration style. Particular carvings and high-relief decorations created a sense of dynamism that gracefully contained the symmetry of the overall design.
  • Rich finishes – Ornate, rich finishes were very popular. Goldand silver embellished wood and leather.
  • Spiral Columns – Spirally twisted forms created supports
  • Natural Motifs – Fruit, flowers, and acanthus leaves decorated furniture.
Small desk with folding top (bureau brisé), Marquetry by Alexandre-Jean Oppenordt (Dutch, 1639–1715, active France), Oak, pine, walnut veneered with ebony, rosewood, and marquetry of tortoiseshell and engraved brass; gilt bronze and steel, French, Paris.
Small desk with folding top (1685) by Alexandre-Jean Oppenordt

Images source: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/207667?searchField=All&sortBy=Relevance&ft=Charles+II+furnitures&offset=60&rpp=20&pos=78

A walnut armchair with ornate flourishes and a modern velvet cushion.
Armchair (1685–89) Walnut; modern velvet 
A closeup of the dark walnut armchair's head flourish.
Top of the walnut Armchair

Images source: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/194530?searchField=All&sortBy=Relevance&ft=Charles+II+furnitures&offset=80&rpp=20&pos=98


Info source:

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charles-II-king-of-Great-Britain-and-Ireland
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