Evidently the artist or designer dominated the craftsman, who, however, grappled with difficulties in an admirable manner, often achieving results which would appear from the constructional point of view almost impossible of attainment. The work of the latter part of the period expresses the enervated and frivolous spirit of the time. Walls were panelled and often divided by pilasters, which, however, lost all structural significance. Cornices and friezes were dispensed with, the frieze being replaced by a cove curving into the ceiling. Mouldings were broken at angles and intersections into curves, scrolls and foliage. Carved details of the curiously twisted leafage peculiar to the style were employed wherever possible. Painted panels were fashionable, and were used particularly over doorheads. They were surrounded or framed by curved and enriched mouldings. [Illustration: No. 114. Carved Wood Door. Louis XV.] Interiors of this later period were invariably painted white, and partly gilt, the wall panels decorated with tapestry or paintings with which are associated the names of Bouchier, Watteau, and Fragonard. Ceilings were also painted, wall mirrors were employed and furniture (at this period at times extremely costly) was veneered and decorated with metal mounts in gilt ormolu. Chair and table legs were of the cabriole type. Bureaux fronts were swelled into curves both horizontally and vertically. Veneer and marqueterie were much used. Chased and gilt brass was employed to protect angles, as feet, handles, escutcheons and other ornamental details. [Illustration: French Louis XV No. 115.] [Illustration: No. 116. Chair with cane back English, later half 17th century.] _Lacquer “Vernis Martin"_ Furniture was also decorated in imitation of Chinese lacquer. The principal worker in it was Robert Martin, who introduced a varnish of fine transparent quality. _Later English Renaissances_ Artistic progress was hindered in England by the disturbed conditions at the time of the Civil War, and in consequence little change in style took place in this and the Commonwealth period. With the Restoration came the influence of the French Court, and foreign furniture was imported, thus giving fresh models for the English workers. One result of the Great Fire in 1666 was that a great impetus was given to architecture and to the crafts associated with it, and the influence of Wren and Grinling Gibbons produced a school of most efficient carvers and craftsmen. _Sir Christopher Wren_ Wren was a worthy successor to Inigo Jones, and the general destruction wrought by the fire in the city gave him a fine field for his activity. He was employed not only to rebuild the churches, eighty-nine of which had been burnt, but also many of the city halls; and was commissioned by William and Mary to build the state-rooms at Hampton Court Palace. [Illustration: No. 117. English Chair, period of Charles II.]