Georgian Period 1714-1806
This period is divided into three:
Early Georgian 1745-1780
Mid Georgian 1730-1750's
Late Georgian 1750-1830
Furniture had previously had its origins in the court and worked its way down, but George I brought a dull and tarnished feeling to the court and only few developments took place in the households of the rich.
Separate designers distinguished themselves in the late Georgian period, this is known as the "The Golden Age of Furniture". The designers were:
Chippendale 1745-1780 Hepplewhite 1760-1790 Adam 1760-1792 Sheraton 1790-1806
Early Georgian 1745-1780
Mid Georgian 1730-1750's
Late Georgian 1750-1830
Furniture had previously had its origins in the court and worked its way down, but George I brought a dull and tarnished feeling to the court and only few developments took place in the households of the rich.
Separate designers distinguished themselves in the late Georgian period, this is known as the "The Golden Age of Furniture". The designers were:
Chippendale 1745-1780 Hepplewhite 1760-1790 Adam 1760-1792 Sheraton 1790-1806
Early Georgian Furniture Characteristics
Early Georgian - Mahogany
Furniture was now being imported from other countries, China and France
Furniture was designed to match the Neo-Palladian architecture and was on a grand scale. William Kent, an architect, designed heavy showy pieces of furniture for the rich market.
They were designed for mansions and palaces and were often enormous gilded pieces of bad taste. Bookcases had pediment tops which imitated the exterior of the house.
It was the designers that followed this period that developed the style, now considered typically Georgian.
- The importation of Mahogany in the 1720's firstly from Cuba, and later from Honduras generally replaced Walnut as the main timber.
- Furniture was designed on a grand scale for the rich market.
- George II Chair - splats carved in honeysuckle motif.
- Corner chairs for reading and writing some had candlesticks.
- Whorlfeet.
- William Kent Chair.
- Similar lines to Queen Anne chairs. Solid vase splat but heavier construction.
- Baroque style of William Kent.
- Bookcases had pediment tops which imitated the exterior of the house.
- Crimson and gold upholstery pieces with the Greek key pattern around the seat frame.
- Carved lions masks and paw feet.
- Double chair back form.
- Concertina extension tables with two or three tops.
- It was the designers that followed this period that developed the style, now considered typically Georgian.
Chippendale (Mahogany 1745-1780)
Chippendale Rococo Chair c. 1750
This is a term used to describe furniture designed by Thomas Chippendale.
In 1754 he became known worldwide with his book publication "the Gentlemans' and Cabinetmakers' Director".
The book was an advertising journal put out by a tradesman aimed at potential customers. Chippendale was a functional designer and never sacrificed strength for appearance.
Chippendale Furniture Features
In 1754 he became known worldwide with his book publication "the Gentlemans' and Cabinetmakers' Director".
The book was an advertising journal put out by a tradesman aimed at potential customers. Chippendale was a functional designer and never sacrificed strength for appearance.
Chippendale Furniture Features
- Country Chippendale - rural craftsman has access to pattern books.
- Dining tables followed the chairs either cabriole legs or straight.
- French legs.
- Chippendale Chinese and Gothic Chairs.
- Master carver - acanthus leaf, claw and ball. Carving is the only form of decoration.
- Influenced by French Chinese and gothic.
- Pierced urn shaped splat.
- Cupids bow top rails.
- Fretwork, ladder back and ribbon back chairs.
- Piecrust edge tables, tilt top, birdcage gallery, tripod base.
- Claw and ball foot with icanthus leaf carving on the knee
- Arm supports set back to accommodate hoped skirts.
- Chests of drawers with bracket feet.
- Breakfront bookcase, barred doors, broken swans neck pediments.
- Bedstead with cabriole legs carved.
- Bureau bookcase square and straight legs returned in 1760 and stretchers returned.
- Chippendale Rococco Chair
