Some Popular Furniture Designer and Their Designs

We are going to see more designs and types ofAfter about 1800, square legs were replaced by
furniture, which came up into prominence in theturned ones with reeding. Sheraton's most
eighteenth and nineteenth century. Some of thesecharacteristic chairs have rectangular backs with
people were very influential and powerful as well.horizontal bars. Use was made of satinwood, as well
They were the Adams, the Hepplewhite, and theas the more general mahogany, either painted or
Sheraton, King William IV and the early Victorian.inlaid or left quite plain.
They encouraged their own styles of furniture.Regency (1800-1820)
Later GeorgianThe Regency style is a combination of at least three,
Adam, Hepplewhite and Sheraton (1770-1810) aor any one may be found alone in apiece made
number of styles succeeded and partially overlappedduring the period. The three principal styles are,
each other during these years.Greek and Roman: figures of mythological gods and
Adamgoddesses, the lyre (used as the shape of
The Adam brothers, Robert and James, weretable-ends), the lion's-paw foot.
primarily architects, but their interest in design did notEgyptian: sphinxes, Egyptian heads and feet as tops
stop with the building itself. Not only did they plan theand bases of columns; crocodiles.
layout of their mansions, but usually they decided theChinese: Chinese patterns, shapes and colors; of
decoration and coloring of the principal rooms and thewhich the contents of the Pavilion at Brighton are
furniture to go in them. Their work was inspired byoutstanding examples.
ancient Greek and Roman art, and most of theirAll types of unusual woods were used, as well as
decorative ideas were borrowed from those sources.mahogany, and there was frequent use of brass for
The honeysuckle (anthemion), the ram's head andinlay and gilt bronze for mounts. Chairs were smaller
hoof, and garlands of husks are typical features. Thein size than in earlier periods, which explain why they
work of the Adams was carried out between 1760are so very popular today. Early Regency chairs had
and 1790 and many of their designs for furniturelegs shaped like a curved sword (the saber, after
were actually made by Thomas Chippendale's firm.which they are named), but later they were turned.
HepplewhiteWilliam IV and Early Victorian (1820-1840)
George Hepplewhite was a cabinet-maker whoseMuch of this furniture can be confused with that
business was run later by his widow, who published amade earlier in the Regency period. Although many of
book of his designs. These show pieces of simplethe designs are similar, they were carried out in a
form and small size; one of the most noticeable ismuch heavier manner, and chairs, tables and other
perhaps the chair with a heart-shaped or apieces are coarser and clumsier in appearance. The
shield-shaped back. Sometimes the shield holds asaber leg was no longer used, and almost all furniture
pierced and carved Prince-of-Wales feather.had turned supports, often tapered and carved.
SheratonEvery artist gets inspiration from different sources.
Thomas Sheraton published his first book of patternsThe Adams were inspired by the ancient Greek and
in 1791. His designs show furniture that is much moreRoman art. One of the most noticeable works of
slender in line than hitherto, and he led a return toGeorge Hepplewhite is perhaps the chair with a
the use of" inlay; with this his name seems to beheart-shaped or a shield-shaped back. Sheraton's
linked inseparably. Inlay often took the form of crossmost characteristic chairs have rectangular backs with
banding and stringing, and a common feature was anhorizontal bars.
oval shell of satiriwood, scorched to imitate shading.