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Jacobean (1600-1690)
An English style of furniture, which is medieval in appearance
with straight lines, rigid designs, sturdy construction, ornate
carvings and a dark finish. Much of the early American furniture
was patterned after this style.
Early American (1640-1700)
Rudimentary utilitarian furniture made from local woods. It was
brought from or modeled after European furniture styles,
particularly from England, France, the Netherlands, Scandinavia
and Spain.
William and Mary (1690-1725)
Named after William and Mary of England (1689-1694). It has
Dutch and Chinese influences and is characterized by trumpet
turned legs terminating in a ball or Spanish foot, padded or
caned chair seats, and Oriental lacquer-work.
Queen Anne (1700-1755)
Named after Queen Anne of England who reigned from 1702-1714.
The Queen Anne style is a refinement of the William and Mary
style with a moderately proportioned, graceful appearance. It is
characterized by cabriole legs terminating in a pad or drake
foot, fiddle-back chair back, and bat wing shaped drawer pulls.
Colonial (1700-1780)
Combined the furniture style characteristics of William and
Mary, Queen Anne, and Chippendale. Colonial furniture tended to
be more conservative and less ornate than English and European
furniture of the same style period.
Georgian (1714-1760)
Named after George I and George II who reigned England from
1714-1760. Georgian furniture is a more ornate version of Queen
Anne. It is characterized by heavier proportions, elaborately
carved cabriole legs terminating in a pad or ball-and-claw foot,
ornate carvings, pierced back splats, and the use of gilding.
Pennsylvania Dutch (1720-1830)
A simple, utilitarian American country style of furniture with
Germanic influences. It is characterized by colorful folk
painting on case pieces.
Chippendale (1750-1790)
Named after British designer and cabinet maker Thomas
Chippendale, who published his furniture designs in "The
Gentleman and Cabinet Maker's Director" in 1754. The Chippendale
style can be classified into three types: French influence,
Chinese influence, and Gothic influence. In the United States,
the Chippendale style was a more elaborate development of the
Queen Anne style with cabriole legs, ball-and-claw foot, and
broken pediment scroll top on tall case pieces.
Robert Adam (1760-1795)
Named for architect Robert Adam who studied ancient architecture
in Italy. While in England, he designed furniture with classical
details that would fit the character of his classically designed
homes. The Adam style was limitedly reproduced by cabinetmakers
in the United States. Adam interior millwork and woodwork was
reproduced in South Carolina.
Hepplewhite (1765-1800)
Named after English designer and cabinetmaker George Hepplewhite
whose designs in "The Cabinet Maker and Upholsterers Guide" were
published posthumously in 1788. The Hepplewhite style is
neoclassic and was reproduced in the United States particularly
in the Carolinas, Maryland, New England, New York and Virginia.
It is characterized by a delicate appearance, tapered legs and
the use of contrasting veneers and inlay.
Federal (1780-1820)
Combined the neoclassic furniture style characteristics of
Hepplewhite and Sheraton. It is characterized by graceful
straight lines, light construction, tapered legs, and the use of
inlay, and contrasting veneers.
Sheraton (1780-1820)
Named for English designer Thomas Sheraton who published his
designs in "The Cabinet Makers and Upholsterers Drawing Book" in
1791. It is a neoclassical style characterized by delicate
straight lines, light construction, contrasting veneers and
neoclassical motifs and ornamentation. The Sheraton style was
the most reproduced style in the United States during the
Federal period.
Duncan Phyfe (1795-1848)
Named after American cabinetmaker Duncan Phyfe. The Duncan Phyfe
style is considered by some art historians as more of an
adaptation and refinement of Adam, Sheraton, Hepplewhite, and
Empire than a style in itself. It is characterized by carved or
reeded legs and neoclassic motifs.
American Empire (1800-1840)
Patterned after French Empire with classical influences. It is
moderate in proportion with classical ornamentation, coarse
carving, and a dark finish.
Shaker (1820-1860)
A simple and utilitarian style produced by the religious group,
the United Society of Believers, in self-contained communities
within the United States. It is characterized by straight
tapered legs, woven square chair seats and mushroom shaped
wooden knobs.
Victorian (1840-1910)
Named for Queen Victoria of England who reigned from 1837-1901.
The Victorian style draws its influence from gothic forms with
heavy proportions, dark finish, elaborate carving, and
ornamentation. The Victorian period was the first furniture
style of mass production.
Arts and Craft (1880-1910)
The Arts and Craft is characterized by simple utilitarian design
and construction. Arts and Craft style furniture is also
referred to as Mission.
Art Nouveau (1890-1910)
A naturalistic style characterized by intricately detailed
patterns and curving lines.
Scandinavian Contemporary (1930-1950)
A simple utilitarian design style in natural wood popularized by
Danish and Swedish designers.
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