It is not easy to form an idea of the furniture in ordinary use, as the examples which survive and which can generally be seen in museums are misleading, being typical rather of that belonging to the nobility and wealthy classes. Probably owing to the rougher usage to which it was subjected, and possibly also to its being but little esteemed by its owners, and consequently no effort being made to preserve it, the domestic furniture of the middle classes seems to have disappeared. [Illustration: No. 87. Carved Walnut Chair. Italian, 16th century.] _Early French Renaissance_ France had been brought into contact with the new architecture through the Italian wars under Charles VIII, Louis XII, and Francis I. The chief characteristic of the early French Renaissance is that the details of the new school were imposed on structures which were Gothic in general form. Italian architects were employed by Francis I, and although in the many important buildings erected for him he preferred native workmen, Italians were retained to furnish designs and lead the new style. Leonardo da Vinci and Andrea del Sarto were both employed in the decoration of Fontainebleau. [Illustration: No. 88. Wood Panelling. Early French Renaissance.] Fontainebleau, Chateau de Chambord, Chenonceaux sur Loire, Chateau de Madrid and the commencement of the Louvre were all due to Francis I, and the Italian influence was strengthened by the marriage of Henry II with Catharine di Medici. [Illustration: No. 89. Stone Chimney-piece, Fontainbleau, Henry II Salon.] _Native Exploitation_ Under the influence of Vignola and Serlio, the Italian style became more popular, and finally extinguished the lingering Gothic tradition; and eventually the assimilated style became local, the first prominent native exploiter being Philibert Delorme, the architect of the Tuileries, for Queen Catharine of Medicis. Strapwork was a pronounced feature of this period, carved panels being subdivided by framings of straight and curved forms interlaced with cornucopæ and scroll work. Scrolling straps with I shaped incisions were also used. [Illustration: No. 90. Wood Panel. Early French Renaissance.] Masks are of frequent occurrence, and sometimes form scroll centres. Medallions were often employed, and were occupied by profile heads, and surrounded by foliated wreaths. Pilasters were narrow, and had sunk and moulded panels, lozenge shaped in the centre. In England great impetus was given to building, consequent on the suppression of the religious houses during the reign of Henry VIII, and mansions were erected in various parts of the country with some pretension to both external effect and domestic comfort, not merely by the nobility, but also by the wealthy merchant class. _English Renaissance_ From the rise of the Italian Renaissance a century elapsed before the new style began to affect English work. [Illustration: No. 91. French Chair. Period Henry II.]