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HOW  TO  KNOW 
PERIOD  STYLES 
IN   FURNITURE 


A  Brief  History  of  Furniture 
from  the  Days  of  Ancient 
Egypt  to  the  Present  Time, 
Illustrated  with  over  300 
Typical  Examples  and  a  Brief 
Description   of    Each    Period 


<  ♦    • 


I^y.V/;-!;.  K.iMERLY 


1913 

GRAND  RAPIDS  FURNITURE  RECORD  CO. 

Grand   Rapids,   Michigan 


PUBLIC   LisrtAnY 

AS-On.  LENOX  AND 

TIlDv.N  founoaiions. 
isio        L 


R 


.'Copyright  19l(5,  "•' 

By  W.  L.  Kimcrly.  Grasd;  Rapi/i3>  Mich. 

CopyJ-ifiht,';!?!';-,    ;'■; 

By  The  Grand  R^p'icfe  •  1  ur'rrituW  Record  Co., 

Grj^!?  .R;3pi?)s,  •Mii'.fi.i 


THE  OBJECT  OF  THIS  BOOK 

Most  books  published  on  furniture  are 
too  voluminous  for  any  one  except  the 
professional  designer.  Many  of  them  are 
in  a  foreign  language  and  they  are  invari- 
ably high  in  price. 

It  is  the  obie\:t  of  thiG  b6olc  to  arrange 
in  a  clear,  practical  way.  a  brief  history 
of  furniture,  illustiating  same  with  typical 

•  '  •  »  .  • 

examples  of  :each  perioiJ  and  a  brief 
description  of  each,  so  as  to  produce  a 
handy  reference  for  all  who  may  wish  to 
understand   "Period  Styles  in  Furniture." 

W.  L.  KIMERLY. 
March  1,  1912. 


PREFACE 

A  knowledge  of  period  styles  in  furniture  is  as  necessary 
to  those  who  would  properly  furnish  a  home  as  a  knowledge 
of  grammar  is  to  those  who  would  speak  correctly.  All 
period  styles  have  a  history  and  an  exceedingly  interesting 
one.  The  historical  styles  in  furniture  are  those  that  have 
stood  the  test  of  time;  they  were  not  created  in  a  day,  but 
were  gradually  developed  to  fit  the  needs  of  civilization  and 
society;  a  change  in  government  or  religion  has  always  been 
reflected  in  the  character  of  the  furniture.  No  new  style  has 
ever  been  created  without  a  knowledge  of  some  older  one  and 
probably  never  will  be.  The  student  of  furniture  may  delve 
into  the  mysteries  of  design  as  deeply  as  he  may  desire  and 
always  find  something  interesting  and  instructive,  but  the 
busy  man  or  woman,  the  clerk  in  the  furniture  store  or  the 
salesman  on  the  road  must  have  the  information  necessary 
for  them  to  understand  the  general  arrangement  and  char- 
acteristics of  period  styles  placed  before  them  in  as  brief  and 
compact  a  manner  as  possible.  It  is  believed  that  the  follow- 
ing pages  will  accomplish  this  purpose  in  a  better  manner 
than  any  other  book  now  published. 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Historical 9 

Chronological    Table    12 

Egyptian    13 

Babylonian-Assyrian-Indian    15 

Grecian    i? 

Roman   21 

Byzantine    23 

Islam  or  Moorish 25 

Gothic  27 

Renaissance  in  Italy 33 

Renaissance  in  France 39 

Louis  Quartorze    (XIV) 45 

Louis  Quinze  (XV)   5i 

Louis  Seize  (XVI)  55 

Empire  59 

Early  English  Renaissance  (Tudor) 65 

"Elizabethan "9 

Jacobean 73 

William  and  Mary 79 

Queen  Anne • °3 

The  Georgian  Period 89 

Chippendale 9^ 

Heppelwhite  99 

The  Adam  Style io3 

Sheraton ^°7 

» Victorian    Era ^  ^3 

Renaissance  Styles  in  Other  European  Countries 114 

German    ^^5 

Flemish    "7 

Holland  "9 

Spain    ^21 

L'  Art  Nouveau   '^3 

Furniture  in  the  United  States 125 

Colonial   Furniture ^^7 

Colonial  Style  of  Today ^^7 

Mission    ^^^ 


a 

m 
t- 
O 

z 

>- 
r 

I 


HOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES   IN   FURNITURE.        11 

showing  the  order  of  their  development  in  these  and  adjoining 
countries. 

All  illustrations  shown  in  this  book  are  reproduced  from 
pieces  actually  made  or  designed  during  the  time  the  particular 
period  they  represent  ivas  in  vog%i^. 


Italiaa  Rcuai&saace 


CHRONOLOGICAL  TABLE 

Showing  the  Order  of  Period  Styles  from  the  Beginning  of  the  Renaissance 

to  the  19th  Century. 


ENGLAND 

FRANCE 

SOVEREIGN 

STYIF 

REMARKS 

STYLE 

SOVEREIGN 

e 

Henry  VUI 
1509-1547 

Tudor 

o 

s 

ou 

i 

en 

< 

z. 
u 

i 

About   the  duration 

of    the   Renaissance 

Period  in  other 

countries. 

CO 

Q 
O 

i 

GU 

Id 
U 

CO 
CO 

X 
u 

Francis 
Premier 

Francis  I 
1515-1547 

o 

8 

e 

a 

Elizabeth 
155&-1603 

Elizabethan 

Henri-Deux 

Henry  II 

1547-1559 

Italy. 
1443-1564 

James  I 
1603-1625 

Jacobean 

J 

« 

Francis  II 

Chaile*  I 
1625-1649 

Germany, 
1525-1620 

1559-1560 

1/3 

Charles   IX 

Commonweakh 

1649-1660 

Flemish  6c  Dutch, 
1520-1634 

1560-1574 

/ 

1 

Charle.  11 
1660-1685 

Henry  III 

J 

1* 

Spain  and  Portugal, 
1500-1620 

15^7^1589 

James  II 

Henri                Henry  IV 

•^        IW5)-lt>«J 

1 

Other  European 

Countries 

1500-1630 

Quatre               1589-1610 

ii 

WiUum&Maiy 

1688-1702 

William  & 
Mary 

Louis  XIII 
Louis  Tnze          ,6|0-|643 

1 

Anne        i       Queen 
1 702-1 714         Anne 

Barocco  Styles. 
Beginning  of  the  Rococo. 

Louis 
Quatorze 

Louis  XIV 
1643-1715 

George  1 
1714-1727 

Chippendale, 

--      '       Oiippend»le'»  book, 
Q         "The  Gentleman'*  and 
O       Cabinetnoalter'tDireclot," 
2           published   1754  and  a 
ri              later  edilioa  1762. 

o 
«.> 

o 
u 

o 

Louis  Quinze 

Louis  XV 

1715-1747 

Georg*  II 
1727-1760 

Heppelwh,.e,    ^     'i^i.tit:  b''u;"lS' 
.    ,                  5          rterer".  Guide."  1789. 

Adam          <                  — 

3       R.&J.Ad.m.  1750-90 

:3 

C_l 

Louis  Seize 

Louis  XVI 
1747-1793 

George  III 
1/60-1820 

K 
O 

U 

1 

Sheralon'i  book,  "  The 

Cabinetmaker  and  Uphol- 

■lerrr'i    Drawing   Book," 

waipubliUvrd    1791.     A 

later  edition  in  1812. 

1/3 

:5 

CJ 

Empire 

Napoleon 
1793-1814 

12 


EGYPTIAN 

Stone  was  the  principal  building  material  of  the  Egyptians 
but  wood  and  metal  were  used  for  the  lighter  articles.  All 
three  materials  were  employed  .in  making  furniture. 

The  principal  woods  were  the  sycamore,  cedar  and  some 
varieties  of  palm. 

Carving  and  inlaying  were  used,  but  painting  was  the 
predominating  method  of  decoration.  The  motifs  used  i;i 
decorations  were  the  lily,   lotus  flower,  date  palm  and  reed. 

The  following  illustrations  show  the  character  of  their 
furniture  and  ornamentation. 


Egyptian   Sphinx  in   the  \atican   Museum. 


Egyptian   Mouldings. 
13 


14        HOW  TO   KNOW  PERIOD   STYLES   IN   FURNITURE. 


Ancient    Egyptian   Throne. 


Kgyptian    Stool. 


Egyptian    Chair. 


Egyptian   Upholstered   Chair   in 
liritish  Museum. 


I.gyptian    Stool    Covered    in    Leather 
in    liritish    Museum. 


Egyptian    Chair. 


BABYLONIAN— ASSYRIAN— INDIAN 

The  furniture  and  ornamental  work  of  these  countries 
was  very  similar  to  that  of  Egypt,  but  each  country  had 
certain  characteristics  of  its  own. 

A  few  illustrations  of  their  work  are  interesting  and  form 
a  necessary  link  in  our  history. 


Footstool. 


Washstand. 


Bronze  Tripod,   in   the 
Louvre,  Paris. 


Assyrian  Throne  from  a 
Monument. 


Assyrian   Bronze   Throne,   in 
British    Museum. 


IS 


PUBLIC  lib:-.; 


GRECIAN 

Grecian  art  reached  the  height  of  its  glory  from  three 
to  four  centuries  B.  C.  Their  work  constitutes  what  is  known 
today  as  Classic  Art. 

The  characteristics  of  their  art  were  very  different  from 
those  of  Egypt  and  other  oriental  countries.  They  established 
the  three  orders  of  columns,  Doric,  Ionic,  and  Corinthian. 
and  showed  great  taste  and  refinement  in  ornament  and  pro- 
portion. 

Their  most  famous  work  was  on  their  temples  and  build- 
ings, but  they  designed  a  great  variety  of  furniture  which 
was  made  of  bronze,  wood,  and  stone. 

Characteristic  detail :  The  Anthemion.  Antefix,  frets, 
egg  and  dart  and  dentil  mouldings. 


^ilHE2ra!: 


Different   Types   of   the   Ante-fix. 


Anthemion. 


Egg   and    Dart   Moulding. 


iiii 

V 

>       < 

A 

' 1 

i  -p  Ijlf 

MhM'h    I 

wm 

'^jm, 

;   3-^-^-|^- 

Greek  Freta. 
17 


18        HOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES  IN   FURNITURE. 


Greek    Throne    from    a    Relief    ir> 
British  Museum,  London. 


Greek    Chair    Upholstered    with 
Draped  Skin. 


Greek    Lady's    Chair,    from    an    Antique 
Vase    I'ainting. 


TTTTTT 


Greek    Chair. 


Greek   Marble   Chair. 


HOW  TO  KNOW  PERIOD  STYLES  IN  FURNITURE.        19 


Greek   Couch   and 
Footstool. 


Greek 
Settee. 


n 


7'uscdn 


y 


ZID 


I 


JJoric 


Grecian    Order    of    Columns. 


Vv\ 


^'iJBLJC  L[BRARY 

■ '-   ■''^■"'    •  "•■•  vn  ,T-.. 


I 
J 


ROMAN 

The  Roman  National  Art  was  developed  largely  under 
the  guidance  of  Greek  teachers  and,  consequently,  has  many 
similar  features,  but  their  work  in  the  Classic  Art  was  much 
more  highly  ornamented  than  the  Greek  style 

They  established  the  round  arch  and  brought  architec- 
ture to  a  high  state  of  development.  They  adopted  the  Greek 
orders,  Doric,  Ionic,  and  Corinthian,  and  added  one  of  their 
own,  called  Composite. 

Many  specimens  of  Roman  Classic  Art  were  found  when 
the  buried  cities  of  Pompeii  and  Herculaneum  Avere  discovered 
in  1748. 


Ancient    Roman    Bronze 

Stand,   in    the    British 

Museum,   London. 


Bronze  Couch  Frame  found  at  Pompeii, 
now   in    Naples   Museum. 


lironze    Seat    found    at    Pompeii,    now    m 
Naples    Museum. 


lironzt    Stand    found    at    Hi-rculaiicum, 
in    Naples   Museum. 


21 


V 


22        HOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES  IN   FURNITURE. 


Marble    Table    found    at    I'oinpeii. 


Roman    Arm    Chair,   with 
Sphinx    Ornaments. 


Roman  Column. 


1      ^^v.  y^ (  V,/^ 


Frasments  of 
Komati  1  riczc, 
ShowiiiK    Cliar.ncter 


>winK 
of    C 


arving. 


i 


BYZANTINE 


During  most  of  the  early  periods,  religion  was  one  of  the 
chief  motives  for  a  change  in  style,  and  when  Christianity 
became  predominant  during  the  Byzantine  Empire,  ancient 
classic  art  was  put  aside.  The  old  heathen  temple  and  its 
decorations  did  not  satisfy  these  early  Christians,  so  they 
developed  a  style  which  is  known  as  Byzantine.  One  of  its 
chief  characteristics  was  the  ornamentation.  The  pecu- 
liar sharp  pointed  acanthus  leaf  being  used  extensively, 
mosiacs  and  rich  decorative  effects  were  also  prominent  feat- 
ures. Very  little  furniture  was  produced.  Probably  the  most 
interesting  piece  left  is  the  chair  of  "St.  Peter"  in  Rome. 
It  was  inlaid  wath  ivory  and  gold,  and  is  one  of  the  oldest 
pieces  of  wooden  furniture  in  existence. 


Byzantine    Baptistry,   from   a   Palace 
in    Venice. 


23 


Baptismal  Font,  from  a  Church 
in    Venice. 


ISLAM  OR  MOORISH 


When  the  Moslem  power  spread  abroad,  a  new  style 
followed,  known  as  Islam  or  Moorish.  The  Moslem  religion 
prohibited  the  use  of  human  or  animal  forms  in  paintings  or 
decorations,  so  their  art  was  confined  to  geometric  and  vege- 
table ornament.  They  were  very  skillful  in  artistic  interlacing 
and  interweaving  of  arabesque  and  geometrical  ornament  and 
the  use  of  rich  and  vivid  coloring.  Their  use  of  the  horse- 
shoe and  ogee  arch  was  another  characteristic  feature  of  the 
period.  Their  work  was  confined  chiefly  to  mosques  and 
buildings,  and  not  much  furniture  was  produced. 


Moorish    Arch. 


Horseshoe  Arch. 


Minaret    of    a     Musquc. 


Ogee   Arch. 


25 


i  r^U^UC  Lis 


ASTOn, 


PI,  L«^fox         J 


GOTHIC 


Gothic  first  put  in  an  appearance  about  the  year  1200, 
and  quickly  spread  all  over  Europe.  It  was  chiefly  an  archi- 
tectural style,  but  its  influence  is  clearly  seen  in  the  furniture, 
which  at  this  period  was  closely  allied  to  architecture. 

The  high  pointed  arch  and  geometrical  forms  were 
characteristic  of  the  style.  The  trefoil  and  quatrefoil  were 
the  chief  motifs  used  in  carving. 

Cupboards,  chests,  tables,  beds,  and  cabinets  were  the 
principal  pieces  of  furniture  made  during  this  period.  The 
chairs,  with  the  exception  of  folding  stools,  were  massive  and 
uncomfortable. 

Gothic  was  predominant  for  several  centuries. 


Trefoil. 


Quartrefoil. 


Gothic    Arm    Chair,    Nurnberg. 


Knglish    Cornation    Chair    in    Cothic    Style. 
Westminster   Abbey. 


27 


t» 


28 


HOW  TO  KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES  IN   FURNITURE. 


Gothic    Credence   Cupboard,   15th   Century. 


Gothic    Stall    in    the   Cluny 
Museum,   Paris. 


Gothic  Window. 


Gothic   Table,   15th    Century. 


HOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES   IN   FURNITURE.        29 


Gothic    Credence    Cupboard,   15th    Century, 


Gothic    Windows. 


PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


RENAISSANCE 
STYLES 


RENAISSANCE  IN  ITALY 

The  Renaissance  style  originated  in  Italy  about  1443  to 
1564  and  reached  a  degree  of  excellence  that  has  never  been 
equalled  elsewhere.  It  was  a  revolt  from  the  stiff,  formal 
arrangement  of  the  Gothic  and  the  return  of  classic  principles. 

Great  artists  worked  during  the  Renaissance  period  in 
Italy;  such  men  as  Titan,  Raphael,  Palladio  and  Michael 
Angelo  being  identified  with  the  movement.  Workman  from 
Italy  went  to  France,  England  and  other  countries,  and  the 
style  spread  all  over  Europe  with  such  changes  as  the  con- 
ditions in  different  countries  naturally  brought  about. 

Italian  Renaissance  was  a  rich,  elegant  style,  principally 
for  the  palace.  Very  few  pieces  of  middle  class  furniture 
have  come  down  to  us. 

Carving  was  the  principal  ornamentation  used  on  furni- 
ture and  was  applied  with  lavish  expense,  as  was  the  use  of 
stamped  leather  and  rich  velvets. 

Characteristic  features  are  the  acanthus  leaf,  arabesque 
scroll,  ribbons  and  flowers,  swags  of  fruit,  grotesque  human 
and  animal  forms. 


Italian  Renaissance  Carved  Seat,  15tli  Century. 
33 


34        HOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES  IN  FURNITURE. 


Italian   Renaissance  Carved  Chest,   16th   Century. 


Italian    Renaissance    Table,    15th    Century. 


Italian    Renaissance   Tabic,    16th    Century. 


HOW  TO  KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES   IN   FURNITURE.        3S 


Italian     Renaissance    Folding    Chair, 

in   South   Kensington    Museum, 

London. 


Italian   Renaissance   Hall 
Chair,  in   South   Kens- 
ington  Museum, 
London. 


''^^m 


Old    Italian    Renaissance    Chair. 


a8iiiii'i|n#iW 


Italian   Upholstered  Chair,  in   South 
Kensington     Musonin,    London. 


36        HOW  TO  KNOW  PERIOD  STYLES  IN  FURNITURE. 


Italian    Renaissance    Seat,    from    the    De    Medici    Family. 


Italian   Renaissance    Bench. 


\ 


lulian   Rtnaissarec   Stall,   15th   Century. 


HOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES  IN   FURNITURE.        37 


Italian   Renaissance  Mantels,   15th  Century. 


38       HOW  TO  KNOW  PERIOD  STYLES  IN  FURNITURE. 


L 


tz 


Acanthus   Scroll. 


Dolphins. 


d5>W^ 


Arabesque. 


Dolpliin. 
Different    Types    o{    Italian    Renaissance    Ornament. 


RENAISSANCE  IN  FRANCE 

The  French  Renaissance  period  began  during-  the  reign 
of  Frances  I.  and  ran  about  one  hundred  years,  ending 
with  the  formal  work  of  Louis  XIV.  It  followed  along  lines 
of  the  Italian  Renaissance  but  was  coarser  and  heavier  in 
ornamental  detail.  Much  of  the  work  was  done  by  Italian 
designers,  but  still  it  became  imbued  with  the  French  spirit 
and  developed  strong  characteristics  of  its  own.  By  this  time 
the  Renaissance  movement  had  developed  furniture  to  where 
special  study  was  given  this  branch  of  designing.  The  early 
French  Renaissance  shows  considerable  intermingling  with 
the  Gothic  which  was  more  firmly  rooted  than  in  Italy. 

Characteristic  features  are  the  aral>esque,  shields,  scrolls, 
half  figures,  animal  forms,  cartouch,  shell  curved  pediments, 
and  twisted  columns. 


French  Renaissance   Mant< 
39 


I 


40        HOW  TO  KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES  IN  FURNITURE. 


rr^? 


K%'s   ^ 


French   Renaissance  Cabinet,   16th   Centurv. 


French     Renaissance    Chair, 
17th  Century. 


French    Renaissance    Chai.-, 
liith    Century. 


French   Renaissance   Chest,    10th  Century. 


HOW  TO  KNOW  PERIOD  STYLES  IN  FURNITURE.        41 


French  Renaissance  Chair, 
late  16th  Century. 


French    Renaissance    Bed,    16th    Century, 
Cluny    Museum,    Paris. 


l-'rench    Renaissance    Tahle, 
16th    Century. 


French    Renaissance    Henry    III.    Cabinet, 
in   South    Kensington   Museum,    London. 


42        HOW  TO   KNOW  PERIOD   STYLES  IN  FURNITURE. 


Fine    Old    Frtnch    Renaissance   Mantel. 


LOUIS 
PERIOD  STYLES 

IN 

FRANCE 


r 


LOUIS  QUATORZE  (XIV.) 

The  Louis  XIV.  marked  the  end  of  the  Renaissance 
period  in  France  and  the  beginning  of  a  series  of  distinct 
period  furniture  styles. 

The  Renaissance  style  had  gradually  undergone  changes 
until  under  the  patronage  of  Louis  XIV.  it  developed  into  what 
was  probably  the  most  magnificent  of  the  French  period  styles. 
It  was  an  age  of  courtly  splendor  and  grandeur;  of  rich, 
massive  furniture,  well  suited  to  the  palace  and  salon  and 
where  it  is  used  today  for  large,  richly  furnished  rooms. 

One  of  the  notable  features  was  the  work  of  Andre 
Charles  Boule.  He  was  the  King's  cabinet-maker  and  was  one 
of  the  greatest  of  the  ebinestes  (workers  in  ebony),  inlaying 
this  wood  with  tortoise  shell,  brass  and  other  metals  until  the 
whole  resembled  a  brilliant  mosaic.  He  further  decorated  his 
work  with  chiseled  mounts  of  ormolu  and  bronze,  carved  and 
gilt  ornaments. 

Marble  and  granite  were  used  for  table  and  console  tops, 
and  fine  tapestries  for  upholstering;  all  combining  to  create 
a  style  in  perfect  harmony  with  the  j)omp  and  glittering 
splendor  of  the  age. 

Characteristic  features  of  the  style :  Well-balanced 
barocco  ornament,  cupids,  shell,  mask,  satire,  ramshead  and 
the  acanthus  leaf. 


Louis    XI  \'.    Chair    Upholstered 
in    Tapestry. 

45 


/" 


46        HOW  TO  KNOW  PERIOD   STYLES   IN  FURNITURE. 


Louis   XIV.    Arm   Chairs   Upholstered   in   Tapestries, 


I-rotn   an    old    design   of  a   Louis   XI\'.   Table. 


Av 


HOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES  IN   FURNITURE.        47 


Louis    XIV.    Table,    from    an    Early    18th    Century  Design. 


48        HOW  TO  KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES   IN   FURNITURE. 


Louis    XIV.    Boule    Cabinet. 


HOW  TO  KNOW  PERIOD  STYLES  IN  FURNITURE.        49 


Louis    XIV.    Marriafje   Coffer   and    Cabinet,   by 
Andre    Charles    Houlc. 


Louis    XI\'.    Commode. 


50       HOW  TO  KNOW  PERIOD  STYLES  IN  FURNITURE. 


ITt 


Design   of    I.nuis    \I\'.    Mantel   and 
Wall    Decorations. 


LOUIS  QUINZE  (XV.) 

Louis  XV.  was  distinctly  a  rococo  style — straight  lines 
were  avoided  whenever  possible.  The  barocco  type  of  orna- 
ment of  the  Louis  XIV.  style  was  a  heavier  and  well- 
balanced  type,  while  the  rococo  ran  in  all  directions,  regard- 
less of  structural  features.  It  was  a  succession  of  broken 
curves,  shell  ornament,  wreaths,  flowers,  etc.,  etc.,  designed 
for  an  age  of  frivolousness,  licentiousness  and  excessive  luxury. 
Ornamentation  was  carried  to  the  extreme  in  fantastic  com- 
binations— a  style  principally  suited  to  the  boudoir  or  parlor. 
An  important  feature  of  the  period  was  the  use  of  lacquer, 
known  as  Vernis  Martin,  the  name  of  the  inventor.  Gilt  carv- 
"ings,  marquetrie,  painting  and  ormolu  mounts  covered  every- 
thing— plain  surfaces  were  avoided  whenever  possible.  From 
the  point  of  fine  workmanship,  furniture  of  this  period  has 
never  been  surpassed. 

Characteristic  features  are :  The  cabriole  leg,  extreme 
rococo,  curled  endive  leaf,  shell  and  twisted  scroll  ornament. 


Louis    X\'.    Bureau. 


51 


52        HOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES  IN   FURNITURE. 


~TTnniW-"'^7r<'^t''-ii''iii^tii^rit;ri'ii("''^^'**'^**'^^iP^*** '  '^' 


Louis    XV.    Table. 


Desk  owiiLii   by   the   French  .  King,    Louis    XV. 
Elaborately    Decorated    with    Marquetrie  and  Chased  Ormolu  Mounts. 


HOW   TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES   IN   FURNITURE.        53 


^rrr'c)  ^zr  -r 


m\,  m 


Louis  XV.   Settee. 


Louis    XV.    Chair. 


Louis    XV.    Commode,    decorated    in    Vernii 
Martin  and   with   Ormolu   Mounts. 


54        HOW  TO   KNOW  PERIOD   STYLES   IN   FURNITURE. 


Interior   Showing   Elaborate    Rococo   Ornamentation  of  the 
Louis   X\'.    Period. 


LOUIS  SEIZE  (XVI.) 

The  Louis  XVI.  style  was  a  return  to  classical  principles. 
While  Louis  XV.  was  all  curves,  Louis  XVI.  was  character- 
ized by  straight  lines  and  simplicity  in  construction  and  is 
easily  distinguished  from  the  former  for  that  reason. 

To  the  refined  taste  of  Queen  Marie  Antoinette  is  given 
a  great  deal  of  credit  for  the  existence  of  this  style.  It  was 
also  greatly  influenced  by  the  discoveries  of  antique  classic 
ornament  at  Herculaneum  and  Pompeii.  The  straight  leg  was 
nearly  always  used — turned,  tapered,  fluted  or  twisted.  Gild- 
ing, carving,  marquetrie,  Vernis  Martin,  ormolu  mounts  were 
all  used  in  decorations,  but  in  a  refined  artistic  manner. 

Characteristic  features  are :  The  fluted  column,  oak  and 
laurel  leaf,  wreaths,  the  Greek  band  and  other  classical  emblems. 


Louis   XVI.    Table. 


55 


56        HOW  TO   KNOW  PERIOD   STYLES  IN   FURNITURE. 


N 


Louis  XVI.   Tapestry  back   Settees,   from   18th  Century   Lxample 

\ 


HOW  TO  KNOW  PERIOD  STYLES  IN  FURNITURE.        57 


^0/k_, 


Louis   X\l.    Bed. 


Louis    X\'L    Sofa. 


58        HOW  TO  KNOW  PERIOD  STYLES  IN  FURNITURE. 


Winged    Arm    Chair,    Louis    X\'I. 


ldll||i|||||||"llll' ifli' 

mil 

Louis  XVL  Arm  Chairs, 


EMPIRE 

This  style  was  developed  during  the  reign  of  Napoleon, 
and  the  letter  N  was  found  everywhere  in  the  decoration  of 
the  period.  The  style  was  a  revival  of  Greek,  Roman  and 
Eg}-ptian  motifs.  Marquetrie  and  carving  were  discarded  and 
plain  surfaces  were  decorated  with  brass  and  ormolu  mounts 
of  antique  emblems. 

Mahogany  was  the  principal  wood  employed  and  con- 
siderable veneering  was  used. 

Characteristic  features :  The  wreath,  torch,  Sphinx, 
Greek  band,  honeysuckle,  Roman  eagle,  columns  and  s^oU 
supports. 


Napoleon's  Bed  at  the  Grand 
Trianon,    N'ersailks. 


59 


60        HOW  TO  KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES   IX   FURNITURE. 


Empire    Table. 


HOW  TO  KNOW  PERIOD  STYLES  IN  FURNITURE.        61 


Kmpire   Table 


Empire    Chair. 


Large    Empire    Tabic 


Empire    Chair. 


Empire    Wreathes. 


62        HOW  TO  KNOW  PERIOD  STYLES  IN  FURNITURE. 


Empire    lied   designed    for   a    famous    Parisian  Lady. 


ENGLISH 
STYLES 


EARLY  ENGLISH  RENAISSANCE  (Tudor) 

The  early  Renaissance  in  England  was  a  mixture  of 
classic  and  Gothic  detail  crudely  drawn  and  developed  into 
what  is  known  as  the  Tudor  style  under  the  first  four 
Sovereigns  of  the  House  of  Tudor,  but  more  especially 
Henry  VHL  He  gave  encouragement  to  the  revival  and 
brought  Italian  artists  and  artisans  to  England,  who  left  work 
that  had  its  influence  on  the  English  designer.  As  in  the 
Gothic  days,  furniture  still  closely  followed  architecture  and 
was  still  heavy,  cumbersome  and  uncomfortable.  The  fire- 
place was  the  most  elaborate  piece  of  work  in  the  house  during 
all  of  the  early  English  Renaissance  periods. 

Characteristics  are:  A  mingling  of  Italian  and  Gothic 
detail,  heavy  turnings,  the  Tudor  rose  and  other  types  of  round 
carved  panels. 


Tudor    Oak    Game    Table,    about    1535. 


65 


66 


HOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES  IN   FURNITURE. 


about    1540. 
Tudor    Oak    Stool, 


Remains  of  one  of  the  oUlest  pieces  of  Tudm 

Knglish     Upholstered     Furniture     known, 

about    l.')30. 


,^    ,        -       ,       ,        .         „         ,    r-  1       Tudor     Oak     Oliair     in     Winchester     Cathedral 

Tudor    Stool.    showniK,    Round    Carved  ,jg^j    ^„    ^^^^    occasion   of   the    marriage 

I'aneU  of  the   I'crjod,  about   16.10.  „f    .^jg^y   Tudor   with   Philip. 


HOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES   IX   FURNITURE.        67 


Tudor     Table,     Henry     XIII.,     known     as     the 
Melon    Bulb    Table. 


Tudor  Chair,  about  1535. 


Carved    Panel    Showing 
Tudor    Rose. 


0^^ 


»C>' 


/ 


ELIZABETHAN 

Queen  Elizabeth  was  the  hist  sovereign  of  the  House  of 
Tudor  and  the  architecture  and  furniture  made  during  her 
reign  is  known  as  EHzabethan.  The  Renaissance  movement 
was  gradually  making  a  change  in  the  furniture  of  England. 

The  workmen  brought  over  from  Italy,  where  the  new 
style  had  made  its  greatest  progress,  were  imitated  by  the 
native  artisans,  but  not  with  the  skill  and  delicacy  of  ornament 
that  characterized  the  Italian  w^ork.  However,  they  developed 
a  sturdy,  substantial  style  that  Avas  particularly  suited  to  oak. 
The  furniture  was  of  a  heavy,  massive  construction  with  showy 
facades,  fluted  and  carved  columns,  on  which  a  crude  Ionic 
cap  was  often  used.  Carving  was  coarse  and  flat,  a  character- 
istic feature  being  the  interwoven  strap  work;  some  inlaying 
was  also  done. 

The  furniture  of  the  period  consisted  mainly  of  chests, 
cabinets,  cupboards,  massive  canopy  beds  and  chairs  of  a  stiff 
and  cumbersome  nature  with  w^ood  or  cane  seats.  Upholster- 
ing had  not  yet  come  into  vogue  to  any  great  extent,  loose 
cushions  being  used  instead. 

Rooms  were  usually  furnished  with  paneled  wains- 
coting, beamed  or  moulded  ceilings. 

Characteristics  of  the  style :  Heavy  bulbous  legs,  turned 
or  square,  interwoven  strap  w^ork,  heavy  mouldings  and  carved 
panels  of  a  coarse  Renaissance  style. 


Late    Elizabethan    Draw    Table. 


69 


70        HOW  TO  KNOW  PERIOD  STYLES  IN  FURNITURE. 


Klizabethan    Bed   of   Oliver    Cromwell. 


HOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES   IN   FURNITURE.        71 


r.lizabethan    Wood    Seat   Chair, 
inlaid   and   Carved,    16th    Tentury 


Klizabefhan    Mantel. 


72        HOW  TO  KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES   IN   FURNITURE. 


Elizabethan    Mautel,    ICtli    Century. 


JACOBEAN 

There  is  no  distinct  line  of  demarcation  between  the  late 
EHzabethan  and  early  Jacobean.  The  same  style  of  ornamenta- 
tion was  used  for  some  time,  but  there  was  a  gradual  change 
from  the  heavy  and  somewhat  over-ornamented  Elizabethan 
to  severer  forms  and  less  ornament.  Some  of  the  later  w^ork 
became  quite  plain — rectangular,  square,  diamond  and  L- 
shaped  moulded  panels  were  much  used.  Turned  legs  and  sup- 
ports became  popular.  Most  of  the  carving  was  cut  into  the 
solid  wood  instead  of  the  raised  or  applied  kind.  Inlaying  was 
also  used  in  a  limited  way. 

Chairs  with  cane  backs  and  seats  were  popular  and  of  a 
much  lighter  design  than  the  Elizabethan.  Upholstering  was 
used  on  some  of  the  plainer  styles  of  chairs  and  settees. 

The  Jacobean  was  contemporaneous  with  the  Flemish 
style  and  was  considerably  influenced  by  it. 

Elizabethan,  Jacobean  and  Flemish  styles  can  be  used 
together  in  perfect  harmony  in  furnishing  a  room.  Oak  was 
the  wood  of  the  period.  By  referring  to  the  chronological 
table,  it  will  be  seen  that  the  Jacobean  period  covered  the 
reign  of  several  monarchs  and  certain  types  of  the  period  are 
sometimes  referred  to  as  James  I.,  Charles  II.,  etc.,  accord- 
ing to  whose  reign  they  were  designed  under. 

Characteristics  of  the  styles:  Panelling,  moulding, 
turned  and  spiral  legs,  flat  or  cut-in  carving  and  a  straight 
line  style  of  construction. 


Early  Type   of  Jacobean   Sideboard,   South 
Kensington    Museum,    London. 


73 


74       HOW  TO  KNOW  PERIOD  STYLES  IN  FURNITURE. 


Jacobean,  an   early   example  of  the  Court  Cupboard,  dated  1C06. 


An    Kxamplc  of   I-afe  Jacobean  Work. 


HOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES  IN   FURNITURE.        75 


Old  Jacobean  Sideboard. 


Jacobean    Table,    about   1660. 


/ 


76        HOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD  STYLES  IN  FURNITURE. 


Jacobean    Stool,    1640. 


Jacobean,   late   17th   Century. 
South   Kensington   Museum. 


Jacobean    Wood    Seat    Chair, 
about    1065. 


Jacobean   Upholstered   Chair, 
lV>ut    16U. 


/ 


HOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES   IN   FURNITURE.        77 


Jacobean    Cabinet,    about    1630. 


Old   Jacobean    Carved    Chest. 


/ 


78       HOW  TO  KNOW  PERIOD  STYLES  IN  FURNITURE. 


Jacobean    Upholstered    Chairs  o£   the   Cromwellian   Period. 


Jacobean  Chair  with  Inlaid 
Back. 


Taccibean    Carved    Chair, 
Dated    160iy 


? 


WILLIAM  AND  MARY 

With  the  ascension  of  Mary  and  her  Dutch  husband, 
William  of  Orange,  to  the  Enghsh  throne,  Dutch  influences 
prevailed.  IMany  of  the  court  attaches  were  Dutch  and  brought 
much  of  their  furniture  with  them.  English  workmen  copied 
these  patterns  with  such  changes  as  their  taste  suggested  and  a 
new  style  was  gradually  developed  which  became  known  as 
William  and  Mary. 

General  simplicity  of  ornament  prevailed,  veneering  came 
into  style  and  Dutch  inlaying  was  popular. 

The  William  and  Mary  type  was  really  the  beginning  of 
Queen  Anne  style  but  had  some  distinct  features  which  entitled 
it  to  a  place  of  its  own.  Oak  and  walnut  were  the  principal 
woods  used. 

Characteristic  features  of  the  style  are:  Turned  legs, 
curved  under-framing  and  arched  tops  to  cabinets  and  frames. 


William  and  Mary   Dressing  Table,  showing  Typical 
Turned   Legs  and   Curved   Underframing. 


79 


/ 


80        HOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES  IN   FURNITURE. 


William   and   Mary  Carved 
Back  Chair. 


William    and    Mary    Upholstered 
Chair. 


William  and  Mary  Chair, 
about    1090. 


William  and  Mary  Cane 
Back   Chaii> 


HOW  TO  KNOW  PERIOD  STYLES  IN  FURNITURE.       81 


William  and   Mary   Arched   Top   Writing 
Cabinet,  about   1690. 


] 


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r 

JBLIC 

LIBRARY 

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I   -«?*OX 

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L:3Xv  »•■: 

:u  NOATror** 

\ 


QUEEN  ANNE 

In  the  Queen  Anne  style  we  have  a  type  that  is  a  complete 
change  from  the  early  English  Renaissance.  Furniture  under 
the  reign  of  William  and  Mary  formed  a  connecting  link 
between  the  Jacobean  and  Queen  Anne  styles,  but  under  Dutch 
influences  the  old  rectangular  forms  gave  way  to  curved  lines 
and  more  graceful  proportions.  Chairs  which  had  previously 
been  stiff  and  uncomfortable  were  now  shaped  to  fit  the 
anatomy  of  the  human  form.  Upholstering  came  into  general 
use  and  all  kinds  of  "overstuffed"  chairs  and  settees  were 
graceful  and  comfortable.  The  slip  seat  came  into  style  about 
this  time. 

The  curved  splat-backed  chair  is  another  type  of  the 
period.  The  cabriole  leg  was  introduced  and  is  a  distinct  fea- 
ture of  the  style.  It  was  first  made  plain,  but  later  carving 
was  added,  generally  in  the  form  of  a  shell-like  ornament  at 
the  knee.  The  hoof  or  spoon,  and  ball  and  claw-foot  were  also 
used.  The  cabriole  leg  was  first  introduced  by  the  Dutch 
traders  from  China,  where  it  had  been  used  for  hundreds  of 
years  and  probably  originated  from  animal  forms.  The  ball 
and  claw-foot  also  came  from  China,  where  it  represented  the 
foot  of  the  dragon  holding  the  mystic  jewel.  The  cabriole  leg 
was  adapted  to  various  uses.  It  was  low  and  sturdy  under 
heavy  cabinets  and  tall  and  slender  for  tables  and  chairs. 

Veneering  was  extensively  used  and  Dutch  marquetrie 
was  popular.  Walnut  was  the  princii>al  wood  but  some  mahog- 
any was  used  during  the  latter  days.  Queen  Anne  style  pre- 
dominated from  the  reign  of  William  and  Mary  until  the  end 
of  the  reign  of  George  II. 

Characteristic  features  of  the  style:  The  cabriole  leg, 
under-framing,  splat-back  chairs  with  curved  seat  frames, 
arch  top  cabinets,  etc. 


83 

I 
\ 


84 


HOW  TO   KNOW  PERIOD   STYLES  IN   FURNITURE. 


Queen   Anne   Marquetrie    Settee  with   Slip   Seat  and   Cabriole   Legs, 
with    Ball    Claw-foot  and    Shell  Carving  at   Knee,   about   1710. 


Queen    .\nnc    Carv<td    Chair,    in    South 
Kensington    Museum,    London. 


Queen    .\nne    Ma-<iuctrie    Chair,   with 
Curved    Under  framing. 


HOW  TO   KNOW  PERIOD   STYLES  IN  FURNITURE.        85 


Queen    Anne   Upholstered    Settee,   with    Plain    Cabriole   Leg   and 
Hoof  or   Spoon   Foot. 


en   Anne  Carved   Chair,    with 
Turned    Underframing. 


Queen    Anne    Upholstered    Chair, 
about    1710. 


86        now  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES   IN   FURNITURE. 


Queen   Anne   Upholstered    Chair,    with 
Loose    Cushion,    1705. 


Removable  Toilet,   used   on 
Tabic    Below. 


Queen    Anne   Hoof   Foot 
Chair 


HOW  TO  KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES  IN   FURNITURE.        87 


Queen    Anne    Bed   at    Hampton    Court    Palace. 


88 


MOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES   IX   FURNITURE. 


Queen    Anne    Highboy 

or    Chest    of    Draweis. 

Inlaid    Band    Around 

Drawers. 


Queen    y\nne 

Carved  Table, 

about   171U. 


'II 


THE  GEORGIAN  PERIOD 

The  Georgian  period  is  known  as  the  Golden  Age  of 
EngHsh  furniture.  Chipi)endale,  Heppehvhite,  Adam  Brothers 
and  Sheraton  were  the  dominating  figures  of  the  period  and 
each  left  a  style  to  bear  their  name.  They  did  not  design  all 
the  furniture  named  after  them,  as  many  other  designers 
worked  in  the  same  styles. 

Other  18th  century  designers  who  published  books  of 
designs  are : 

Thomas   Johnson    1758-1761 

Ince   &   Mayhew 1762 

J.    Crunden    1765-1796 

Robert    Manwaring    1765-1766 

Thomas   Shearer    1793 

Thomas   Hope    1807 


89 


>■ 


,   III 


CHIPPENDALE 

Thomas  Chippendale  was  the  first  designer  to  so  impress 
his  personahty  on  his  work  that  the  particular  style  that  he 
helped  develop  has  borne  his  name  ever  since.  He  was  a 
carver  by  trade,  but  later  started  in  business  in  St.  Martins 
Lane,  London.  His  book,  the  "Gentlemen's  and  Cabinet- 
makers' Directory."  was  published  in  1754  and  a  later  edition 
in  1762. 

Chippendale  chairs  are  probably  better  known  than  any 
of  his  other  work.  They  are  noted  for  their  beautiful  propor- 
tions and  delicate  carvings.  His  designs  were  largely  a  com- 
bination of  Gothic,  rococo  and  Chinese  detail,  all  of  which  he 
combined  with  rare  skill.  His  Chinese  frets  were  exceptionally 
fine.  One  class  of  his  designs  was  very  similar  to  the  Louis 
XV.  style,  so  popular  in  France  at  that  time.  The  cabriole  leg, 
ball  and  claw-foot,  were  both  used  by  him  as  also  were  a 
variety  of  straight,  square  legs,  plain  or  with  the  Chinese  fret 
work  laid  on  or  cut  through.  The  slip  seat  was  a  character- 
istic feature  of  his  chairs. 

Chippendale's  book  shows  designs  for  a  great  variety  of 
all  kinds  of  furniture.  Mahogany  was  the  principal  wood  used. 
Carving  was  the  method  of  ornamentation.  Chippendale  never 
used  inlay  and  very  little  turning. 

Characteristic  features  of  the  style  are:  Latticed  and 
ribbon-backed  chairs,  bands  of  fret  work  and  rococo  carvings.  J-^ 


Chippendale   Settee  at    South    Kensington    Muaeuni. 
91 


92        HOW  TO  KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES  IN   FURNITURE. 


Chippendale    Arm    Chair,    Middle    of    18th  Ribbon    Back    Chair,    from    Chippen- 

Century.      South   Kensington   Museum.  dale's  Book. 


Chippendale,   about   1740 


'-^m 


Fine    Carved    Chippendale    Cha'r, 
about   1740. 


\ 


HOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES   IN   FURNITURE.        93 


Chinese   Chair,    from    Chippendale's   Book. 


Gothic   Chair,  Chippendale's   Book. 


Chinese    Chair,    from    Chippendale's    Book.       Gothic    Chair,    from    Chippendale's    Book. 


94        HOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES   IN   FURNITURE. 


\ 


W> 


\ 


V 


^ 


\  l,|        u__ 

\.i?= 

\ 

M}J^SS^^ 

y 

^^^ 

/^ 

\j- 

V"  J 

/  '1^"— ^ 

1'  iMni    h1((Ii 


Bookcase,    from    Chippendale's    Book. 


Chippendale    Desk,    made   about    1750. 


Chippendale   Chair.    South    Kensington 
Museum. 


HOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES  IN   FURNITURE.        95 


Chippendale   Toilet    Table,    made 
about    1730. 


%        HOW  TO  KNOW  PERIOD   STYLES   IX   FURNITURE. 


Chippendale    State    Red,   from   an   18th 
Century   Design. 


HOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES   IN   FURNITURE.       97 


Secretary,  from  Chippendale's  Book. 


V- 


98        HOW  TO  KNOW  PERIOD  STYLES  IN  FURNITURE. 


Chinese    Chippendale   Chair    from 
Chippendale's   book. 


HEPPELWHITE 


Heppelwhite  was  the  style  to  follow  Chippendale.  George 
Heppehvhite  died  in  1780  and  the  furniture  business  he  had 
established  was  carried  on  by  his  widow,  Alice,  under  the 
name  of  A.  Heppelwhite  &  Co. 

The  first  edition  of  his  book,  "The  Cabinet-maker  and 
Upholsterers'  Guide,"  did  not  appear  until  two  years  after  his 
death. 

Heppelwhite's  designs  were  of  a  severe  straight  line  style 
based  on  classic  principles.  His  shield-backed  chairs  are  his 
best  known  type.  The  square,  tapering  leg  with  a  spade  foot 
is  most  used,  although  turning  is  sometimes  employed  but 
never  the  cabriole  leg  so  popular  with  Chippendale.  A  dis- 
tinguishing feature  of  Heppelwhite  chair  backs  was  the  use  of 
the  Prince  of  Wales  plume.  Sheraton  never  used  this  in  his 
chair  designs  and  it  is  a  feature  that  often  settles  the  author- 
ship of  certain  patterns  that  otherwise  are  very  similar. 
Another  distinguishing  feature  is  that  Heppelwhite's  shield  back 
chairs  usually  have  a  plain,  curved  top  rail,  while  Sheraton's 
are  broken  or  with  a  small  rectangular  panel  in  the  center. 

Upholstering  and  cane  were  both  used  on  chairs  and 
settees.  Carvings  were  very  delicate  and  refined.  Veneering, 
marquetrie  and  painting  were  all  used.  Mahogany  was  the 
ix)pular  wood. 

Characteristic  features  of  the  style  are :  Honeysuckle, 
wheat  ear  and  water  leaf  ornament;  shield  back  chairs  and 
straight  legs. 


/ 


upholstered    Settee,    from    Heppelwhite's   Book. 


99 


Gc^sj>o^ 


100      HOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES   IN   FURNITURE. 


Heppelwhite    Shield    Back    Chair,    showing     Ileppelwhite    Shield     Back    Chair,     from 
Prince   of   Wales    Plume.    South  his   book. 

Kensington    Museum,    London. 


Chair    from    Hcppcl white's    Book,    showing     Upholstered    Wing    Chair,    from    lieppel- 
Prince   of    Wales    Plume.  white's    Book. 


HOW  TO   KNOW  PERIOD   STYLES  IN   FURNITURE.      101 


Sideboard    from    Ileppelwhite's    Book,   showing   Concave   Corners,    Square 

Leg   and    Spade    Foot. 


Bed    from    nfeppelwhite's    Book. 


s 


Ileppelwhite   Chest  of   Drawers  willi 
Removable  Toilet. 


102      HOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES  IN  FURNITURE. 


Ileppelwhitc    Bed,    from    his   book. 


t, 


r 


THE  ADAM  STYLE 

R.  and  J.  Adam  were  architects,  and  the  furniture  de- 
signed for  their  houses,  while  very  similar  to  Heppelwhite 
and  Sheraton,  was  more  a  classic  style  based  on  a  study  of 
antique  detail  found  in  the  buried  cities  of  Pompeii  and  Her- 
culaneum. 

They  introduced  a  kind  of  composition  ornament  that  was 
applied  to  the  wood.  Most  of  their  decorations  were  in  low 
relief,  either  composition  or  carved.  They  also  used  inlay, 
painting  and  guilding.  Legs  of  chairs,  tables,  etc.,  were 
usually  square,  fluted  and  tapering.  Chimney  pieces  show  some 
of  their  finest  work.  Some  of  the  Adam  designs  were  taken 
to  America  during  the  Colonial  days  and  form  the  basis  of 
what  is  now  known  as  Adam  Colonial. 

Characteristic  details  of  the  style  are :  Ram's-heads,  urns, 
rosettes,  festoons,  classical  moulding  and  delicate  fluting. 


tlabora.'e    Sideboard    with    Knife   Vases  on    Pedestals.     A  typical 
example   of   the    Adam    Style. 


I 


103 


104      HOW  TO  KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES  IN   FURNITURE. 


TffffminfrfiifffrmftTffirfMffHJfm 


[ttngflfiT 


Adam    Sideboard    and    Cellarette. 


Adam   Pedestals  and  Knife  Vases. 


Knife    Vase,    showing 
method    of   openir^ 


I 

\ 

r 

HOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES  IN   FURNITURE.       105 


Adam   Window   Seat 


Adam    Settee. 


Adam   Chai 


Adam    Mantel. 


106      HOW  TO  KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES  IN   FURNITURE. 


Adam    Mantel. 


I 


SHERATON 

Thomas  Sheraton  has  been  called  the  master  of  cabinet 
making  and  inlay.  He  used  very  little  carving  and  what  he 
did  was  very  dainty  and  strictly  conventional.  Like  the  Hep- 
pehvhite,  Adam  and  Louis  XVL  styles,  Sheraton  followed 
straight  classic  lines.  His  best  work  was  severe  and  simple 
and  on  some  of  his  furniture  he  did  not  use  a  single  moulding 
but  depended  entirely  upon  inlay  for  ornamentation.  He  was 
the  first  designer  to  use  satinwood  to  any  great  extent  and 
was  famous  for  his  veneered  work  and  mechanical  contrivances. 

The  majority  of  his  chair  backs  were  rectangular  in  form 
with  slightly  curved  and  broken  top  rails.  He  used  a  variety 
of  straight  legs,  square,  turned,  tapered  and  fluted,  but  never 
the  cabriole  leg.  He  favored  all-over  stuffed  seats  except  where 
cane  was  used,  and  seldom  used  under-framing.  His  book. 
"The  Cabinet-maker  and  Upholsterer's  Drawing  Book,"  was 
published  in  1791.  and  shows  a  great  variety  of  all  kinds  of 
furniture.  The  sideboards  and  side-tables  in  his  l30ok  always 
show  the  convex  corners,  while  Heppelwhite's  show  the  con- 
cave. He  was  also  the  first  to  design  a  kidney-shaped  table. 
He  was  not  a  manufacturer,  as  was  Chippendale  and  Heppel- 
white,  but  sold  his  designs  to  whom  he  could.  He  was  the  last 
of  the  18th  century  designers  to  leave  a  style  bearing  his  name, 
and  is  considered  by  many  to  have  been  the  greatest  of  them 
all.     Mahogany  was  the  principal  wood  used. 

Characteristics  of  the  style  are :  Rectangular  chair  back, 
straight  fluted  legs,  square  or  turned ;  satinwood  inlay  and 
classic  detail. 


< 


I 


Kidney-shaped   Writincr   Table,   from   Sheraton's 
Book  of   Designs. 


107 


108      HOW  TO  KNOW  PERIOD  STYLES  IN  FURNITURE. 


Sideboard,    from    Sheraton's    Book,   showing   Convex    Corners,    Brass 
Candlestick   and    Hailing. 


Sheraton   Writing   Desk,  made  in 
Kngland,   17fto. 


Sheraton    Cane    .Se»  lir. 


HOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD  STYLES  IN  FURNITURE.      109 


Secretary,    from    Sheraton's    Book. 


Sheraton    Shield-back    Chair.      Note    broken 

top    rail,    which    distinguishes    it    from 

Heppelwhite's    chairs. 


£:^. 


Sheraton    Chair,    in    South    Kensington 
Museum,    London. 


110      HOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES  IN   FURNITURE. 


Bookcase   and    Writing  Desk,    from    Sheraton's    IJook. 


Couch,    from    Sheraton's    liook. 


HOW  TO  KNOW  PERIOD   STYLES   IN   FURNITURE.      HI 


(^^'; 
-  --'Q.^ 


Bed,    from    Sheraton's   Book. 


112      HOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES   IN   FURNITURE. 


Ann   Chairs   ami   Cliafr   Backs,    from    Sheraton's    Book. 


VICTORIAN    ERA 

During  the  early  years  of  the  19th  century,  an  unsuccess- 
ful attempt  was  made  to  copy  the  Empire  style,  but  after  the 
brilliant  work  of  the  18th  century,  English  furniture  design- 
ing sank  to  a  low  ebb.  All  sorts  of  cheap,  flimsy  orna- 
ments were  used  and  it  was  not  until  the  middle  of  the  century 
that  styles  began  to  improve. 

In  1868,  Mr.  Charles  Eastlake,  an  architect,  published 
"Hints  on  Household  Taste,"  which  was  responsible  for  what 
is  known  as  the  Eastlake  style. 

William  Morris  was  a  designer  and  decorator  of  excep- 
tional ability  and  by  his  lectures  and  work  (18G0-189G)  did 
much  to  improve  public  taste.  His  work  was  along  simple 
lines  similar  to  the  Arts  and  Crafts  style  in  England  today 
and  the  Mission  in  the  United  States. 


Tabic  and  Chairs  fr^/f     E^-dake's   Book,   "HinU  on 
HousehoTa  Taste,"    1868. 


IIJ 


THE  RENAISSANCE  STYLE  IN  OTHER 
EUROPEAN  COUNTRIES 

By  referring  to  the  chronological  table,  it  will  be  seen 
that  the  Renaissance  style  spread  to  all  of  the  European  coun- 
tries, but  it  did  not  develop  into  a  series  of  distinct  period  styles 
as  in  France  and  England.  The  furniture  designed  in  these 
various  countries  usually  followed,  more  or  less,  the  changes 
in  fashion  that  were  designated  as  period  styles  in  France 
and  England,  but  their  work  is  known  by  the  name  of  the 
country,  as  German  Renaissance,  Spanish  Renaissance,  etc., 
and  not  by  period  names,  as  Louis  Seize,  Empire,  Chippendale 
and  other  French  and  English  styles. 


114 


1 


GERMAN 

In  Germany  the  early  Renaissance  designers  closely  fol- 
lowed the  work  of  Italy  and  France  and  later  they  did  consid- 
erable work  in  the  rococo  style.  They  were  also  influenced  by 
the  classic  revival  that  did  so  much  for  the  furniture  of  France 
and  England  during  the  latter  part  of  the  18th  century. 


In    Museum,    Uresdcn. 


17tli    Ccnlury. 


lis 


116      HOW  TO  KNOW   PERIOD  STYLES  IN  FURNITURE. 


German   Rococo  Chair. 


\ 


FLEMISH 

The  early  Flemish  style  in  Belgium  closely  followed  the 
Italian  and  French  work,  but  their  later  designs  were  made 
much  plainer  and  they  developed  a  type  that  had  strong  char- 
acteristics of  its  own.  It  was  a  style  very  suitable  for  oak,  the 
principal  wood  used.  The  Flemish  style,  which  gets  its  name 
from  that  part  of  Belgium  called  Flanders,  was  very  similar 
to  the  Elizabethan  and  Jacobean  in  England,  and  no  doubt  the 
latter  named  styles  were  considerably  influenced  by  it. 


Carved   Flemish   Cabinet 

117 


118       now  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES   IN   FURNITURE. 


Flemish    Carved    Chair    Rack. 


Flemish   Chair,   about   1678. 


■tafl^ — 


I'lcinish    Oak    Clicst,    ITtli    Century. 


Corner  of  Flemish   Bed,  from  the 
Plantin    Museum,    Antwerp. 


I 


HOLLAND 

The  Dutch  Renaissance  of  Holland  and  the  Netherlands 
was,  of  course,  greatly  intluenced  by  the  Flemish  and  French 
work,  but  the  tendency  of  their  designers  was  towards  plainer 
surfaces  and  less  ornament. 

The  early  Dutch  were  great  traders  with  the  east  and 
they  brought  back  many  rare  colored  woods  which  were  used 
on  their  furniture  in  the  form  of  veneers  and  inlays  develop- 
ing into  what  is  known  as  Dutch  marquetrie. 


Dutch    Renaissance    Chair,    from   a   book 
publislied    in    1042. 


Cabinet    Inlaid    with    Dutch    Marquetcric. 

119 


Dutch   Splat   Back  Chair. 


TH»i  NoW   i\.:,->f: 

PUaiiC  UBKARY 


SPAIN 


The  furniture  and  ornament  of  Spain  and  Portugal  was 
strongly  influenced  by  the  Moorish  style  owing  to  their  close 
proximity  to  Morocco.  They  were  never  great  furniture 
builders,  and  old  Spanish  furniture  is  very  scarce.  During 
their  conquest  of  Belgium  and  the  Netherlands,  some  of  their 
characteristics  found  their  way  into  those  countries  and  what 
is  known  as  the  Spanish  foot  is  often  seen  on  Flemisli  and 
Dutch  furniture. 


Spanish   Cabinets. 


Spanish    Chest 


Spanish  Chair. 


122      HOW  TO  KNOW  PERIOD  STYLES  IN  FURNITURE. 


Spanish    Renaissance    Cliair,    showing 
Spanish   Foot. 


L'ART  NOUVEAU 

This  style  was  brought  prominently  before  the  public  at 
the  Paris  Exposition  in  1900.  The  style  is  based  on  natural- 
istic principles.  Motifs  are  the  root  of  the  tree,  trunk,  branches, 
leaves  and  vines  twisted  into  all  manner  of  shapes.  It  had  its 
greatest  run  in  Austria  and  France,  but  has  not  proved  ver\- 
satisfactory  for  furniture  and  is  probably  better  adapted  to 
metal  work  or  wall  and  cloth  designs. 


Cabinet  Shown  at   Paris   Exposition,   1900. 
123 


124       HOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES  IN   FURNITURE. 


Art    Nouvcau    Upholstered    Ann    Chair, 
shown    at    the    Paris    Exposition,    1900. 


Art    Nouveau    Chair,    with    Inlaid 

Back    and     Upholstered     Seat, 

shown  at   Paris   Exposition. 


COLONIAL  FURNITURE 

The  name  of  this  style  is  derived  from  the  Colonial  days 
of  the  United  States  and  was  the  outgrowth  of  the  furniture 
brought  over  from  the  mother  country  of  the  various  colonies. 

The  New  England  and  Virginia  settlements  were  made 
by  the  English,  and  their  furniture  was  mostly  of  the  Georgian 
period,  Chippendale,  Sheraton,  Adam,  etc.  New  Orleans  was 
settled  by  the  French  and  here  we  find  furniture  of  the  Louis 
and  Empire  periods.  To  New  York  came  the  Dutch  with 
their  Dutch  and  Flemish  furniture,  so  we  have  three  distinct 
types  of  Colonial  furniture — LXitch,  English  and  French.  The 
Colonial  style  was  developed  from  these  by  making  them 
plainer,  leaving  off  ornament  and  simplifying  them  in  every 
way  possible,  but  retaining  the  original  outlines  and  propor- 
tions. It  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  Colonial  furniture  and 
Colonial  styles  are  two  separate  things.  Many  of  the  pieces 
which  have  come  down  to  us  from  the  Colonial  days  are  pure 
Chippendale,  Sheraton  or  other  styles  and  are  recognized  as 
such  nowadays,  so  we  find  the  Colonial  style  of  today  is  the 
result  of  the  gradual  development  of  ideas  derived  from  this 
old  furniture  just  as  in  the  past,  new  styles  were  the  outgrowth 
of  the  older  ones. 

Strictly  speaking,  the  name  Colonial  would  only  apply  to 
furniture  in  this  country  before  the  Declaration  of  Independ- 
ence. If  this  classification  was  observed,  it  would  disqualify 
half  of  the  furniture  now  owned  by  antiquarian  and  historical 
societies.  So  it  has  become  customary  to  classify  as  Colonial, 
furniture  made  for  some  years  after  ITTfi.  This  old  furniture 
has  been  gradually  gathered  in  museums  and  private  collec- 
tions, and  there  are  a  number  of  books  devoted  entirely  to 
Colonial  furniture,  so  it  is  the  purpose  of  this  book  to  only 
show  a  few  of  the  more  interesting  examples. 


127 


128      now  TO  KNOW  PERIOD  STYLES  IN  FURNITURE. 


Windsor   Chair,    from   Washington's 

Presidential    Mansion, 

Philadelphia. 


18tli   Century   Windsor   Chair. 


Early    18th    Century    .Splint    Bottom    Chair 
belonged    to    William    Penn. 


Rush    Bottom    Chair 
in    Boston. 


HOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES   IX    I'URNITURE.      129 


Louis   X\I.   Style.  Sheraton     Style. 

Chairs    Owned    by    George   Washington. 


\ 


Empire   Chair,    made    in    Paris,   brought     Kmpirc  Chair  from  fhr  lihrnry  of  Napoleon 
to    the    United    .States,    and    owned  I.      Afterwards   owned    in    New 

by    President    Monroe.  Orle«n»,    L«. 


130      HOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES  IN   FURNITURE. 


Cane    Chair   with    Spanish    Foot.     Owned  Cane    Chair,    17th    Centurj;    English 

by    Connecticut   Historical    Society,  Style.     Owned    by    the    Connec- 

Hartford,    Conn.  ticut    Historical    Society, 

Hartford,    Conn. 


Dutch   Chairs 
Owned  by  the   American   Antiqua  vian    Society,   Worcester.    Mass. 


HOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES   IN   FURNITURE.      131 


Sofa    of    the    Early    19th    Century    Type,    Owned    by    Worcester    Society    of 
Antiquity,   Worcester,  Mass. 


Table  in  Salem,  Mass., 
Jacobean  style,  known  as 
"(jate"  or  "thousand  leg" 
table.  '1  lie  \eni  swini;  back 
allowing    the    kavcs    to    drop 

>wn   at   sides. 


Sofa  in  the  Sheraton  Style.     Owned    by    the    .American 
Antiquarian    Society,   Worcester,    Mass. 


132      HOW  TO  KNOW  PERIOD  STYLES  IN  FURNITURE. 


Secretary   eivcn    to    Stoplieii    Girard   by 
Joseph   Bonaparte. 


Thomas  Jeflferson's  Desk. 


HOW  TO   KXOW   PERIOD   STYLES  IN   FURNITURF..      133 


Console    Table    in 
the   Empire   Style. 


Bombe-shapcd    Chest    of        V  ""^  ;  ; 
Drawers,  in   Salem,  Mass.         •/^  •  i' 


134      HOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES  IN   FURNITURE. 


Tables  and   Sideboard,   now  owned  in   Baltimore. 


HOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES   IN   FURNITURE.      13S 


George    WashjnRton's    Desk,  owned    by    Historical 
Society  of  Pennsylvania. 


TH''^  Nb'W  YCl\f^ 

p;iBLlC  LIBRARY 


i 


COLONIAL  STYLE  OF  TODAY 

Probably  the  most  popular  type  of  nuxlern  Colonial 
today,  is  the  one  derived  from  the  Empire  style.  The  brass 
and  ormolu  mounts  of  the  Empire  have  been  discarded  and  the 
classical  features  retained  and  from  this  has  come  a  distinct 
American  period  style. 

Jvlahogany,  with  fine  figured  veneer,  is  the  wood  most 
used,  but  other  kinds  are  employed,  the  wood  having  nothing 
to  do  with  the  style. 

Characteristics:  The  classical  column,  carved  or  plain; 
the  S-shaped  scroll,  lion's  paw  foot,  and  scroll  foot. 


China    Cabinet.    Coloni.nl    Style.    Scroll    Support 
and  Lion's-paw  FeeL 


137 


138       HOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES  IN   FURNITURE. 


Modern   Colonial   Sideboard  with  Crotch   Mahogany   \'eneer   Scroll 
Supports   and    I'eet. 


Crotch  Mahogany  Colonial  Sidcboani   with  Carved  Columns  and 
Lion's-paw   Tcct. 


HOW  TO  KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES  IN   FURNITURE.      139 


Modern   Colonial   Sideboard   with  Plain    Columns   and    Ball    Claw    Feet. 


Modern   Colonial   Sideboard   with   Scroll   SupporU  and    Feet. 


140      HOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES   IN  FURNITURE. 


Modern    Colonial    Library   Tables. 


HOW  TO   KXOW   PERIOD   STYLES   IX   FURNITURE.       141 


Plain    Four-post    Bed,    Colonial    Style. 


Scroll    Bed,    Colonial    Style. 


Colonial    Dcslc   with   Scroll    l^gi  and    I'rcl. 


k    s. 


142      HOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES  IN   FURNITURE. 


I'our-post   Bed,   Pineapple   Carvings,   Colonial   Style. 


Colonial   Style   .\nn   Chair. 


^ 


MISSION 

During  the  past  few  years  a  style  lias  developed  in  the 
United  States  called  Mission,  suggested  by  work  found  in  the 
old  Spanish  Missions  in  California  and  the  southwest.  It  runs 
almost  entirely  to  straight  lines.  At  first  it  was  extremely 
heavy  and  clumsy,  but  recently  has  been  lightened  and  greatly 
improved  upon.  It  is  a  simple  straightforward  style  easily 
recognized  and  is  very  popular  at  the  present  time. 

Oak  is  the  principal  wood  used,  and  fuming  or  dark  stains 
the  finish  most  suitable.  Similar  work  is  l)eing  pro<luced  in 
England.  Austria  and  Germany  under  the  names  of  Xew  Art, 
Craftsman  and  Arts  and  Crafts. 


WIU 


Library    Tabic. 


143 


144      HOW  TO  KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES   IN   FURNITURE. 


Morris    Mission    Chair. 


Mission  Davenport  with  Loose  Cushions. 


HOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES   IN   FURNITURE       14S 


Mission    Settee    with    Loose    Cushions. 


Mission    Upholstered    Chair. 


Mission    Hockcr   uiih    I,oo*e  Cu»hion«. 


146      HOW  TO   KNOW   PERIOD   STYLES   IN   FURNITURE. 


Mission    Library    Tables. 


HOW  TO  KNOW  PERIOD  STYLES  IN  FURNITURE.      147 


Missiun    Desk. 


Micvion     Sidrlioaril. 


T/LZJZN    vrt}  NDATIOhH 


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