470 THE NEO-CLASSIC MOVEMENT

Furniture. The few existing designs of ancient furniture were
models for Empire furniture whenever possible. The forms were
generally large, heavy, and rectangular. However, the Grecian
concave curve was employed, particularly on seating furniture.

Cabinet furniture resembled architecture, often displaying minia-
ture columns. Such furniture included chests of drawers, ward-
robes, bureaus, secretaries, buffets, and cabinets, all of which were
ostentatious in size. Most of the tables were round, with pedestal
or tripod bases. Boat, gondola, or sleigh beds with scrolled head
and foot boards of the same height were most popular. However,
beds with corner pillars were also used. Sofas with straight rolls
over backs and arms were typical of the period, although sofas and
daybeds with one end higher than the other were frequently made.
The pleasing curved lines in the legs and arms of sofas and chairs
and in the circular backs of some chairs were copied from antique
Grecian chairs. Rush-seated chairs, stools, curule chairs, cross-
legged chairs, and short settees were used. Most of the seating
furniture was uncomfortable.

Mahogany was preferred for furniture, but ebony and rosewood
were employed occasionally. Large plain surfaces, sometimes
veneered, were left undecorated to show the grain of the wood.
The chief form of decoration was the application of metal orna-
ments, although some heavy carving, painting, gilding, inlay, and
turning were done. Upholstery materials were hard textured,
such as leather, tapestry, and silks, in rich primary colors.

Decoration. Decorative motifs of the Empire were often re-
lated to Napoleon. The letter N enclosed in a wreath was a favor-
ite; the honeybee, the emblem of an Athenian queen, was applied
also to Bonaparte. Egyptian motifs such as pyramids, sphinxes,
lotus blossoms, and palrn leaves were used. Pineapple, acanthus,
honeysuckle, laurel, wreaths, military trophies, cornucopias, eagles,
swans, griffins, lion heads, twisted rope carving, vases, torches, and
crowns were other popular motifs. See page 87 for a modern
interpretation of the Empire style.

Although this furniture had a tendency to be pompous and arti-
ficial it was usually impressive, but at the end of the period it be-
came quite awkward and ugly. The influence of this period spread
over Europe and America and helped to produce the hundred-year
era of bad taste,