Styles - Early Georgian, Mid Georgian
EARLY GEORGIAN (1714-1730/40)
Much furniture similar to that
of Queen Anne's reign was made. At the same time, gilding became popular and was used for
mirror-frames, tables and even chairs. The Kent or Palladian style was fashionable, and
this showed architectural features (Wm. Kent, whose name is given to the
style, was a prominent architect) such as the broken pediment, and a frequent use of
marble tops for tables.
MID-GEORGIAN: Chippendale (1730/40-1770)
The introduction of mahogany followed
a brief period in which red walnut (from Virginia) replaced the familiar French walnut. At
first, mahogany was used in the same styles as walnut pieces had followed, but before long
the superior working qualities of mahogany led to new designs. Many different styles were
collected and adapted by Thomas Chippendale, a cabinet-maker, who published them in his
book, The Director, in 1754. Thus almost all furniture made between about 1750 and 1780 is
known today, conveniently, as 'Chippendale':
French 'Chippendale' features curved outlines, and particularly the cabriole leg
with an outwardly curling toe.
Gothic 'Chippendale' shows the arch with a
pointed top (lancet-shaped), as a part of the design for doors of bookcases, in the form
of piercing for the backs of chairs, and in fretting on legs.
Chinese
'Chippendale' uses Chinese pagodas, Chinese figures and birds and other Far-Eastern
forms. One or other can be found on all pieces of furniture of this type, but the
mirror-frame often has them all.