This book was very influential and signaled the demise of the rococo style. To learn how to identify antique chair styles, start by determining the design period to which the chair belongs or comparing the chair to style charts in books or online. American furniture 1620 to the present, richard marek publishers, ny, 1981. Chippendale furniture is as popular as ever today, helping people create a period elegance in. Stylistically it also reflects the architectural style known as federal. Notable furniture makers who worked in the federal style included duncan phyfe and charleshonore lannuier. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. The term federal references the period following the revolutionary war rather than one specific style of furniture.
The georgian style, with its long history in america, is among our countrys most consistently popular architectural styles. Instead, this period relied heavily on asian and african influences. The federal style had definite philosophical ties to the concept of rome as the republic that the new. Fundamentally, it was the comparatively progressive european ideas about architecture that prompted this american change in taste. Inspired by adam, englishmen george hepplewhite and thomas sheraton both impacted american furniture craft with their interpretations of neoclassical style.
Discover the best furniture design in best sellers. Federal style furniture an american federal period mahogany bowfront chest of. The movement was stimulated by archaeological discoveries, by travel in italy, greece, and the middle east, and by the publication all over europe. Occasionally a side door may include a large area of glass. Sheraton rarely made any of these designs himself in fact, some historians. Federal furniture refers to american furniture produced in the federal period, which lasted from approximately 1789 to 1823.
The modern and postmodern periods were a stark departure from the english and french influence and the periods of the past centuries. Book are considered to be landmark books of the federal furniture movement and. Some furniture styles have an association with the period in history during which they originated, and other styles have an association with. The federal, or adam, style dominated the american architectural landscape from roughly 1780 to 1840, having evolved from georgian, the principal design language of the colonial period. Ive contributed articles to popular woodworking magazine, fine woodworking magazine, and the journal of the society of american period furniture makers. Side doors share panel designs similar to main entry doors, although the side doors are slightly narrower. Federal style, american revival of roman architecture, especially associated with thomas jefferson and benjamin latrobe. The romanesque revival style was introduced in the united states in the mid 19th century, as architectural ideas from europe, based on the buildings of ancient rome, were imported here.
You can get the federal look with these new home furnishings that pay homage to the styles elegance but arent too fussy to live with. During those subsequent decades when america was in its infancy, the country was not only defining its government but also its way of life. Federal style in america, like adam style in england, evolved from the earlier georgian style, which was characterized by symmetry and balance, both inside and out. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Some of the technologies we use are necessary for critical functions like security and site integrity, account authentication, security and privacy preferences, internal site usage and maintenance data, and to make the site work correctly for browsing and transactions. This period reflects the growing patriotism felt in the young american states. Characterized by symmetry and lightness, federal furniture must have been a shock when first shown, and even today it looks quite modern, rivaling current studio furniture. Hepplewhites cabinetmaker and upholsterers guide was published posthumously by his widow in 1788. History of american furniture style and design sofas and. Only a few public buildings were built in this style until the talented and influential american architect henry hobson richardson embraced the style in the. Chippendale is a style of furniture that became popular towards the end of the 18th century, designed by english cabinet maker thomas chippendale after whom the style is named. Speaking broadly, wood clapboard homes are more likely to be found just outside of the major cities, with brick dominating city homes along with southern homes built in this style. Federal style furniture is timeless, elegant and classic and can work with. Today, federal details can lend elegance to any interior, whether its another neoclassical style, such as colonial or georgian, or a midcentury modern ranch.
Sheraton published the cabinetmaker and upholsterers drawing book in 1793. Motifs included stars, winged caryatids, sphinxes and other egyptian symbols that speak to the general egyptomania that was going on in france due to the napoleonic wars. Washington dwellings in this style generally date from 1840 to 1885, with the majority built in the immediate aftermath of the civil war. It was influenced by the georgian and adam styles, and was superseded by the american empire style. Federal style houses on the eastern seaboard along the eastern seaboard, maritime communities growing rich on trade were ready to display both their wealth and taste. In contrast, the federalneoclassical style changed everything, and quickly. Timeline and descriptions of antique furniture styles antique trader. Federalstyle architecture is the name for the classicizing architecture built in the newly founded united states between c.
Once in a blue moon, youll see a stone federal home, but its not common. It is usually refined and wellcrafted, with clean edges and straight lines. Each of our reproduction furniture pieces are characterized by inspired design elements and intricate inlays that are reminiscent of the period. To help understand what defines each period of antique furniture styles, here. Included, where noted are smaller format sheets of details such as inlays, shaped components etc. Shop federal tables at 1stdibs, the worlds largest source of federal and other authentic period furniture. A piece of my work was displayed at the white house in 1999.
The author has done their homework, and the pieces described in the book are stuff thats nice enough to devote some love and care to in the shop. Everything you need to know about chippendale furniture. Of the many victorianera variants represented in washington, dcs historic neighborhoods, italianate is one of the most passionate feast for the eyes. Created with special occasions and entertaining in mind, the federalists formal dining tables are crafted with intricate, heritageinspired details that evoke the romance of the 18th century. It is characterized by graceful straight lines, light construction, tapered legs, inlay, and contrasting veneers. There are three names that dominate english 18thcentury furniture, and one of them is. The furniture tended to be more massive and grand than federal style, and was characterized by dark woods contrasting with heavy gilt bronze mounts. He is an acknowledged authority on american antique furniture, and the premier dealer expert in american federal furniture in particular. Classy stuff, even though i prefer the japanese aesthetic. Ive been chosen by early american life magazine, as one of the best 200 craftsman in america each year from 19992010. Federal furniture tends to emphasize basic geometric shapes, generally squares, circles, triangles, and rectangles. This period introduced furniture built from a number of massproduced materials such as molded plywood, metals, and plastics.
Characteristics of federal style furniture decor dezine. Federal style architecture facts and history guide to. In fact, neoclassical style got its start in europe after the ruins of pompeii were. It flourished from 1785 to 1820 and later in governmental building. Today, the early american furniture style is considered one of the most important furniture movements in america, as this style set the precedent for the american furniture movements that followed. Tiring of the rococo style, craftsmen of the 18th century turned for inspiration to classical art. Antique chest unique wood furniture, wood furniture plans, wood. Federal 17801820 the federal style combines the neoclassic furniture style characteristics of hepplewhite and sheraton. The book is well illustrated with pictures from various federal style homes and public buildings. She is high maintenance, high style, and highly opinionated. The 86 best furniture design books recommended by nate berkus, such as. The book also contains excellent wellwritten historical summaries that contextually illustrate federal style designs, furniture and interiors within regional and. American federalera period rooms essay the metropolitan.
Reviewed in the united states on november 25, 20 verified purchase. The name federal style is also used in association with furniture design in the united states of the same time period. Artemis gallery adheres to the antiques dealers association of america code of ethics, which requires full disclosure of the origin and condition, including any restoration and repairs, of all pieces, in writing. The style broadly corresponds to the classicism of biedermeier style in the germanspeaking lands, regency architecture in britain and to the fr. With classicallytrained artisans behind every piece, our formal dining tables come in a variety of styles including duncan phyfe, george iii, sheraton, federal. Shop federal furniture at 1stdibs, the worlds largest source of federal and other authentic period furniture. It was influenced by the georgian and adam styles, and was superseded by the american empire style pieces in this style are characterized by their sharply. The interiors discussed below are from houses built in the federal period in. I bought this book to get an overview of federal period furniture construction after visiting the met collection. From portland, maine, to charleston, south carolina, architects, woodworkers, plasterers, masons, paperhangers, and upholsterers produced houses and interiors of extraordinary beauty and refinement. Federal furniture was at its peak between 1780 1820 in american society, and it derived its main inspiration from the neoclassical style that was simultaneously the trend in europe. We take great pride in helping people find choice examples of federal furniture at relatively affordable prices. The plan sets are 18 x 24 photocopies of the hand drawn originals.
Admired for its symmetrical design, classic proportions and decorative elements, georgian architecture is commonly associated with the reigns of englands king georges, i through iii. Their desire to develop their own distinctive furniture style was apparent. From the outside, dumbarton house presents a large central block, balanced by smaller twostory wings on each side. Primarily responsible for setting the foundation of federal architecture robert adam 17281792 and his brothers stressed symmetry and neoclassical motifs medallions, urns, ellipses and swag arranged sparsely within broad neutral spaces. Its distinct characteristics make it a firm favorite even today. Antique reproduction furniture from the federalist is designed with a handsome, luxurious elegance that evokes the late 18th and 19thcentury design in a way that no other federal style furniture company can replicate. Gone for the most part is carving, and what carving remains is more delicate. Georgianfederal style homes typically have one main entry door, although there can be numerous auxiliary doors leading to patios, decks, the backyard or a side yard. Georgian style architecture facts and history guide to. As a starting point for new collectors and a refresher for connoisseurs, here are nine important american furniture styles, explained. Bruce peters 020218 american furniture styles vary with their place in american history.
The adam style was limitedly reproduced by cabinetmakers in the united states. While in england, he designed furniture with classical details that would fit the character of his classically designed homes. Sheratons style in this series, as well as the other books he published, was a take. Thomas schwenke is a recognized and respected antique furniture expert with experience spanning over 40 years. Buy early georgian furniture 17151740 1st edition by adam bowett isbn. Wood shrinks with time, loosening joints, and use often wears hand carvings and embellishments smooth. The book also contains excellent wellwritten historical summaries that contextually illustrate federal style designs, furniture and interiors within regional and historical frameworks.
This style is named for architect robert adam, who studied ancient architecture in italy. Stylistically it also reflects the architectural style known as federal, where balance and symmetry were extremely important. Romanesque revival style 1840 1900 phmc pennsylvania. The style of the adam brothers was popular from 17281792 and was named for robert and james adam, scottish architects and furniture designers. Federal style furniture furniture mirrors federalist. Understanding the american federal furniture period. See more ideas about furniture, furniture styles and style. Its the american profile, says peter kenny, curator of american decorative arts for new yorks metropolitan museum of art, of the ovals, arches, and reeded columns that characterized the period. This style shares its name with its era, the federalist era. Photographs of federal style buildings and interiors. The neoclassical style, sometimes called louis seize, or louis xvi, began in the 1750s. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search.