New furniture forms of this period include the sleigh bed, with the headboard and footboard forming a graceful arch. Regional differences in this style are very apparent, with New York City being the center of the design style, as it was also the center of fashion at the time. Feet can be highly ornamental, as when they are carved to look like lion’s paws, or plain when they extend to the floor with a swept leg. The legs of this period are substantial and more flowing than those found in the Federal or Sheraton periods. The dark woods offset gilt highlights, as were the brass ormolu mountings often found in this period. Inlays were popular when made of ebony or maple veneer. However, during this period, dark woods were so favored that often mahogany was painted black. The basic wood used in the Empire period was mahogany. The American craftsmen began to incorporate more flowing patriotic motifs, such as eagles with spread wings. Known as Empire, it had an emphasis on the classical world of Greece, Egypt and other ancient European influences. Image courtesy of Krause Publicaitons Empire (Classical), 1805-1830īy the beginning of the 19th century, a new design style was emerging.
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 that combines ashes and varnish.ĭuring the Empire (Classical) period, feet could be highly ornamental, as when they are carved to look like lion’s paws Woods tend to be maple, walnut, white pine or southern yellow pine.
One exception to this is known as the Spanish foot, which flares to a scroll. Feet found in this period generally are round or oval. Turnings are baluster-shaped and the use of C-scrolls was quite common. Moldings and turnings are exaggerated in size. 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. Their furniture was practical and sturdy. New colonists in America brought their English furniture traditions with them and tried to translate these styles using native woods. The style is named for the English King William of Orange and his consort, Mary. To help understand what defines each period, here are some of the major design elements for each period. Furniture styles can be determined by careful study and remembering what design elements each one embraces.
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