1. American Furniture Styles

2. Early American Timeline: 1620’s – American Revolution
Description: Basic, Pilgrims - low to middleclass people so survival was priority not furniture. Use construction methods from native homelands.
Characteristics:
Turned legs
Plank or cane seat
Ladder back/Slat back chairs
Square and blocky
Un-upholstered

4. Queen Anne Timeline: 1720’s – 1750’s
Description: Shift toward elegance and refinement
Characteristics:
Cabriole legs
Pad foot
Splat/Fiddle back
Shell Motif
Wing chair

6. Chippendale Timeline: 1750’s – 1810’s
Description: English furniture designer…High quality, refined, stylish, elaborate.
Characteristics:
Ball and claw foot
Camel back couch
Chinese influence-black lacquer Japanning
Ribbon back chair

8. Hepplewhite Timeline: 1780’s – 1810’s
Description: English furniture designer…High quality, refined, stylish.
Characteristics:
Tapered legs
Shield back chair
Upholstery

10. Sheraton Timeline: 1790’s – 1820’s
Description: English furniture Know for his light, delicate look.
Characteristics:
Tapered legs
Square back
Spade feet

12. Duncan Phyfe Timeline: 1800’s
Description: American immigrant, furniture designer, Know for his simple, sturdy look. First to use the factory style furniture making.
Characteristics:
Splayed legs
Lyre back chairs
Animal feet on legs
Laurel leaves

14. Shaker
Timeline: 1775 – 1840’s
Description: American furniture designs, Know for simple, straight look. Excellent craftsmanship. Conservative!
Characteristics:
Simple, structural lines
Ladder back chairs
Natural wood grain

16. Victorian Timeline: 1840 – 1910’s
Description: Named after Queen Vitoria of England, first furniture mass produced,
Characteristics:
Very ornate
Elaborate carvings on wood parts
Tufting on backs of upholstery
Plush, velvet textiles
Deep dark woods

18. Modern/Contemporary Timeline: 1900 - Present’s
Description: New, unclassified, experimental feel. Created for artistic pleasure. Affordable and adaptable.
Characteristics:
Combination of many materials in construction–glass, wood, metal and plastics, textiles.