When a new piece of furniture was designed, a three-dimensional mock-up made it easier to appreciate the "balance and soul of the piece". For obvious reasons of cost and ease of transport, these models were made to a reduced scale.

Royal orders had an influence on general taste, and models were offered to sovereigns.

Merchants displayed scale models in their shops : "it was more practical, and saved space." French cabinet-makers sent models (or samples) of their furniture abroad "in order better to judge the effect".

Here are some examples of the many models in the collection
(for detailed information about an object, click once on its image with the left-hand button of the mouse)