Draft_Furniture Essentials_SP_9-3-16- v.1

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Furniture Essentials

Pennsylvania Dutch 1720-1830

Marked by heavy German influences, the furniture pieces of the Pennsylvania Dutch period were simple and utilitairian, with colorful hand-painted scenes. Furniture from this period features straight lines, simple turnings, and tapered legs. Common furniture sources include walnut, oak and pine.

Sheraton 1780-1820

Early American 1640-1700

The Sheraton Period was the most widely- reproduced style of the early 1800’s. The period was named after the Engligh designer Thomas Sheraton, and relied heavily on veneers and rich upholstery. Carvings were minimal durign this period, however, intricate brass hardware caught the eye. Dovetail joints were a major hallmark of this period.

Ornamental carvings, finials, raised panels and woodturnings were hallmarks of this period. Most joinery was of the mortise and tenon variety. Hardwoods and softwoods utilized were typically pine, cherry, birch, maple, oak and fruit trees, such as apple.

Colonial 1700-1780

American Empire 1800-1840 The American Empire Period took heavy influence from the French, with a greater emphasis on curved arms, cabriole legs and ornate, paw or claw feet. Hallmarks of the American Empire Period included supporting columns on the corners of dressers and glass in place of raised panels.

Heavily influenced by pieces from England, however, American pieces during the Colonial period tended to be far less ornamental and more conservative. The dovetail joint began to make an appearacnce along witht the carryover mortise and tennon joinery from the Early American period. Typical finishes of the Colonial period were often oil varnish, paint or wax over a stain. Predominant wood sources utilized during the period were mahogany, elm and walnut.

Federal 1780-1820

The Federal period introduced a variety of ornamental stylings such as fluting, wooden inlays, and banding with contrasting veneers as decorative borders. The pieces of the Federal period exhibited a graceful elegance with heavy French and English influence. harwrdware was commonly brass in a variety of shapes found in nature.