The curving leg of a Louis XV chair is called a what?

• A. Cabriole
• B. Claw-and-ball leg
• C. Straight leg
• D. Tapered leg

Answer: (A)

The curved, S-shaped leg is called a cabriole leg, a defining feature of Louis XV furniture. This form bends outward at the knee and then inward toward the ankle, creating a light, graceful silhouette that embodies the Rococo’s sense of movement and ornament. Often the leg ends in an ornate foot, such as a scroll or ball-and-claw, which enhances the decorative character of the piece. A straight leg lacks that characteristic curve, a claw-and-ball describes a type of foot rather than the leg’s overall shape, and a tapered leg aligns with later, more restrained styles rather than the Rococo’s flowing cabriole form.