The Tudor and Jacobean furniture styles were most similar to which other style? These styles can be intermixed
Renaissance and Mediterranean
Which period marked a complete revolution of English furniture style and why?
William and Mary period (1689-1702) because William brought his furniture influence from the Netherlands.
What are the four characteristics of William and Mary period furniture?
1) Hooded arches (1-2 typically)
2) Elaborate stretchers, usually "X" shaped.
3) High boy-chest of drawers sitting on top relatively tall legs
4) Inverted cup shaped legs
*features more straight lines
What are the Queen Anne period (1702-1714) furniture characteristics?
*truly distinct english style
1) Features more curved lines
2) Cabriole legs where knee often had shell motif
3) Fiddle shaped back
The wing chair, lowboy, highboy, secretary cabinet, and bureau/commode are all types of this period furniture
Queen Anne style
What was another furniture finishing technique and style that was highly liked and adopted during the Queen Anne period?
A finishing process called Japanning where QA furniture began to be finished in a glossy lacquer. They were also fascinated by the asian culture.
What was the time period of the Early Georgian period, also known as the "decorated Queen Anne Period" considered to be the Golden Age for furniture design?
1714-1760
What were some motifs during the early Georgian period?
1714- Eagle period: arms of furniture
1720- Lion Period- arms with lion heads and feet are lions paws
1730-Satyr period- Satyr faces carved on different parts of furniture of all types (pic shown)
1740-Cabochon Period- A gem cut into a convex curve shape rather than sharp facets.
*Cabriole legs became lower, heavier, squatter
During the Late Georgian period (1760-1811), what four furniture influencers/styles were highly successful?
1) Chippendale
2) Brothers Adam
3) Hepplewhite
4) Sheraton
What are the characteristics of Chippendale furniture?
1) He was influenced by Early Georgian furniture but made it more slender and graceful with carved mahogany back chairs (vs french Rococo upholstered back)
2) Chinese influence- chinese style foot
3) Gothic motifs-cathedral-like backs on chairs
4) Open Pediment- on casepieces and grandfather clocks
What are some characteristics of Brothers Adams style?
1) Inspiration from Roman, Greek, Etruscan design
2) Brought in lightness and grace and more straight lines of roman columns. Brought Classical Revival back
3) Motifs: Lyres, fluted legs (no rosette motif), oval/shield chair backs, walls and furniture in classical motifs
3) Motifs
What was Hepplewhite most known for? What were some of the characteristics of his furniture?
Most known for his chair designs which featured straight legs, simple spade foot, BUT curved backs that flowed freely. Also serpentine front on casepieces.
What were some characteristics of Sheraton style and who was he influenced by?
He was influenced by Louis XVI style "lightness and elegance"
1) Straight, delicate lines, especially in chairs
2) reeded, tapering leg
3) chair backs also had carvings of lyres vase and lattice design
4) sofas had straight lines and uncluttered look.
What was the Regency period (1810-1837) also known as?
The English Empire period which imitated French empire style. It was the beginning of the decline of the great english furniture design
What are the motifs of the Regency period?
1) high polished rosewood and mahogany
2) exaggerated cabriole legs
3) Sphinx's and lions
4) Ormulu mounts
How did American Georgian furniture differ from English Georgian?
Slightly less ornate and used local woods like cherry, maple, apple, and pear wood.
Federal and American Empire style is a continuation of which period?
American late Georgian style.
Who was the first world-renowned American cabinet maker? And who were his designs most like?
Duncan Phyfe. He was called the "American Sheraton" but then started producing American Empire style furniture.
Duncan Phyfe's furniture characteristics?
Similar but less pretentious than French Empire
1) center pedestal with 3-4 legs with legs often ending in claw foot clutching brass base.
2) sofas had moderately scrolled arms and cornucopia legs
What is Biedermeir (BEE-dah-MY-er) Style?
Empire style of Austria-Hungary.
Difference is that it was produced in a more economical way with little to no ormulu, less expensive local wood. Also used german peasantry and quaint motifs like flowers, animals, wreaths, baskets.
What is the time period of Victoria style furniture?
1837-1901
Victorian room/style characteristics?
1) Room is crowded with ornate furniture pieces and accessories.
2) Color scheme usually dark w/ saturated colors (walls, fabric, floors etc)
3) Gothic influence: heavy dark woods (mahogony, rosewood, dark walnut)
4) The more Rococo the better-design everywhere on furniture.
5) Windows covered in heavy drapes (velvet, damask etc) and undercurtains normally lace.
6) doorways featured curtains with string beads
7) pattern featured everywhere in room
What was invented in the Victoria period and what began to be created in effect?
The coil spring was invented which began the production of tufted furniture and unusual seating arrangements.
What are some other Victoria Innovations?
1) Antima Cassar- lace doily set upon the top of upholstered furniture to protect fabrics from greasy hair goo.
2) What-not: A multi-tiered table or hanging cabinet where homeowners would display treasured objects.
What is the take-away from Victorian style?
“Style” was an interpretation of luxury as viewed from the nouveau riche point of view. That point of view was materialistic and ostentatious.
What other two furniture styles came after Victorian?
1) the Greek Revival (1820-1860): architecture and furniture
2) American Victorian (1860-1901) which became popular after the Civil War
What was John Henry Belter-mid 19th century known for?
The Rococo revival
Developed patented system for making furniture. Built up a wood sheet by laminating layers of thin veneer together w/ grains at right angle. He then steam pressed laminate sheets into shapes. Pierced sheets w/ intricate lace work designs to mimic intricate carvings of past furniture.
