THE BAROQUE AND ROCOCO MOVEMENTS 455

UNITED STATES

The home furnishings of the period from 1700 to 1725 passed
through a transitional stage copied from England. From 1725
to 1780 occurred a Baroque and Rococo period influenced by Eng-
land, Holland, France, and China. These periods are usually called
Colonial; the preceding period is called Early American.

Transition Period

By the end of the seventeenth century many of the colonists
had prospered enough so that they could afford much of the
equipment for comfortable living. The furniture of the transition
period had rectangular contours, but curved lines had begun to
appear in its decoration. The furniture was smaller, better finished,
more refined, and built of better wood than in the early seven-
teenth century. This was largely the result of the influence
brought to the colonies by craftsmen and by the furniture im-
ported from England. Transitional furniture in the Colonial pe-
riod included the furniture copied from the Carolean or Restora-
tion period and the William and Mary period in England. Some
of its foreign features were Flemish scrolls, Spanish feet, and
caning from Portugal.

Baroque and Rococo Periods

By 1725 the merchants living along the seaboard had become
wealthy through extensive trading. In the South, especially in
Maryland and Virginia, the large grants of fertile land enabled
the privileged owners to live in fine style, as landed gentry. A
fashionable social life centered around the King's representatives,

By 1750 many beautiful Colonial houses had been built here.
Books of architecture were guides for colonial builders. The ex-
teriors and interiors of Colonial houses were symmetrical in plan.
The interior architecture was a robust interpretation of Classic de-
sign* The furnishings were Baroque in style; Queen Anne and
Chippendale furniture were in high favor. Constantly changing
fashions apfcd originality helped to produce elegant, sophisticated
decoration. The restoration of Colonial Williamsburg has focused
attention on this brilliant period. See page 86*