European Furniture Styles
Posted by Jess Dayuno on July 6th, 2008
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Photo Credit: pingnews.com
There were a lot of variations in styles depending upon the country or area where the artist came from. Some were a mixture of different styles. There are those, which are known to be British styles and mainland European styles. It is quite confusing at first but when you get to familiarize yourself with them, it is easy to differentiate them.
There is what the experts call the Medieval Era. They were mostly Romanesque items, which were brought by the Normans to Britain. It has a typical Romanesque attribute such, as rounded arches but there are very few that still exist up to this day. After Romanesque, Gotham style flourished. An example if the coronation chair that can be found in the Westminster Abbey. A gentleman made it from Durham, Master Walter back in 1296. Incidentally, it was the very first English furniture that was traced back to its maker.
The Elizabethan Era, which of course can be attributed to Elizabeth, The Virgin Queen in 1558. This is the time where pieces are created more out of function than decorative art. They were mostly plain but functional. Although, influences from France and Netherlands somehow were incorporated to the plain Elizabethan pieces such as carved caryatids, strap work, etc.
The Jacobean Style refers to the geometric moldings, split balusters during the reign of James and was popular until about 1720.
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The Carolean, which is attributed to Charles II who was restored to the throne in 1660. Franco-Dutch Baroque style, which comprises of caned seats, carved scrolls and twisted legs.
The Queen Anne. This is a mixture of English skills influence by the foreign styles during the Queen’s reign in 1702-14.
The Gerogian Period: Early Gerogian, Mid Gerogian and Late Gerogian. Mostly during the reign of George I – III. It was during these times that claw and ball feet became in thing. There are more Italian baroque pieces that are flourishing in the market. They began using mahogany instead of walnut. This is when the famous Chippendale furniture started to infiltrate the market. The start also of neo-classical designs such as vertical lines, circles, carvings. Some with influences that were attributed to Louis XVI style.
(To be continued)