Furniture Periods

Thanks for visiting our page! We are currently in the process of updating and expanding the information presented. Please check back soon!

The style is named for the English King William of Orange and his consort, Mary. As the colonist moved to America, they brought them their English furniture styles. Their furniture was practical, sturdy and made of whatever native woods were at hand including maple, walnut and pine.

Lines of this furniture style tend to be crisp, while facades might be decorated with bold grains of walnut or maple veneers, framed by inlaid bands with large moldings and other decorations.

Turnings were frequently seen as decoration and were baluster-shaped and the use of C-shaped scrolls were commonly seen. One type of decoration that begins in the William and Mary period and extends through to Queen Anne and Chippendale styles is known as "japanning," referring to a lacquering process done bu combining ashes with the varnish.

As the colonies matured, so did their style furnishings. Inspired by Queen Anne’s court, this style of furniture is much more delicate than the practical, sturdy designed first produced in the colonies. The most popular woods were walnut, poplar, cherry, and maple.

Each area of colonies brough their own unique touches to this tradition, such traits as elegantly curned legs, padded chairs and winged back chairs are hallmarks of this period. A new item seen in this era was the titling tea table. The influence of this style is still heavily seen today.

Inspired by gthic, Chinese and French Designs, this style of design is also referred to as rococo. Pieces from this period may be call "busy" as their design frequently included many decorative elements such as intricately carved patterns, the curved cabriole leg and the ball-and-claw feet. Columns, capitals, C-scrolls, S-scrolls, ribbons, flowers, leaves, scallop shells, gadrooning and acanthus leaves were also common design elements. Common wood types included mahogany, walnut, maple and cherry.

The English cabinetmake Thomas Chippendale is the same sake for this period of design. His widely read book, Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director, became source of deisgn inspiration for many of the day's furniture makers. The chippendale style has enjoyed any resurgences in popularity since it's original introduction.

In the period following the American Revolution, the young states were developing their own unique style which became known as Federalist Style. Reflected in both buildings of the era as well as furnishings, balance and symmery were the most important elements. Straight legs leading to a simple tapered foot were common design elements as were inlaid bands and carvings of bellflowers, urns, festoons, acanthus leaves and pilasters. Sideboards were a new item seen during the Federal Period.

Woods used included whatever native species was at hand such as maple, birch and satinwood but the most common were mahogany and mahogany veneers,