A Guide to English Antique Periods

English furniture has a grand history of quality, style and utility. English antiques are among the most widely collected antique furniture styles in the United States.  And now that English antiques are becoming more available in the states, the buyer should know how to select quality pieces. 

One of the first considerations is the style or period of the piece of interest. Just as clothing and architectural styles change over time, so do furniture styles.  Influencing the evolution of cultural trends, the reigning English monarch was often the style maven of the period since he or she had the most contact with other European fashion centers along with the funds to commission the production of desired pieces. Therefore, even though English furniture design trends were greatly influenced by Continental styles, the changes in design preferences are denoted by the names of the king of queen whose choices influenced them.

Periods, their continental influence, and today's American market

Elizabeth and James I 1558 to 1625+

The earliest periods of English history from which we find usable pieces are the Elizabethan, named for Elizabeth I and the Jacobean, named for James I.  Elizabeth reigned from 1558 to 1603 and James from 1603 to 1625.  On the continent this period was known as the Renaissance.  European furniture was often opulently carved and incorporated inlays of bone, ivory and even jewels.  England, however, was politically estranged from the continent at this time so furniture was much more utilitarian. Carving was not usually incorporated because the predominant furniture wood was oak, which does not carve easily.  Queen Elizabeth, in response to this problem, planted vast stands of walnut, which was widely used in continental Europe because it was easily carved, but it would be 100 years before her plantings were mature enough for furniture production. 

Therefore, the few English pieces from the Elizabethan period that are available to the American market are usually lightly carved or plain oak stools, heavy cupboards or coffers and simple wooden chairs. The Jacobean period was further characterized by the addition of mitered elements in combination with mortise and tenon jointed frames holding simple oak panels.  

Charles I and William and Mary – The Age of Walnut

The seventeenth century brought rapid change both in furniture styles and types.  Walnut was the primary wood choice of the fancier furniture makers while oak remained the choice of the more provincial craftsmen. Since the great fire of London in 1660 created a great demand for new furniture, trade with the Continent reopened. Conveniently, Elizabeth’s walnut trees were mature and the stage was set for an explosion of style and design. Dovetailing and veneering were the new construction techniques of the day and the new designs ranged from gate leg tables to lowboys, highboys and slant front secretary bookcases.  The use of veneers changed the focus from carving items to decorating with wood grain veneers in patterns such as herringbone, book matching, or repetitive cross grain slices called oyster veneer. Drawers on chests were now often banded around the edges to add to the visual appeal. Caning seats and backs became a popular technique in the provincial market because it was lightweight and inexpensive.  It was not popular among the wealthy, however. It was during this period that lathe-turning became more feasible for English furniture makers because the treadle style lathe, invented in the Netherlands had made its way into England.  This allowed for intricately turned legs and spindles on chairs and gate leg tables.

Queen Anne and George I – Zenith of the Age of Walnut

Most noted for the cabriole leg, the Queen Anne period was characterized by graceful lines and elegant simplicity.  The drop leaf table with its simpler leaf support replaced the stretchered gate leg table. Queen Anne styled furniture is still popular today in both new and antique furniture.

George II and George III – The Age of Mahogany

Furniture styles remained the same during the Georgian period from 1727 to 1811 but the wood of choice became imported mahogany. Mahogany, unlike its predecessor, is well suited for both solid construction as well as veneering. Mahogany is better for carving than walnut because it does not splinter as easily, so delicate classical motifs such as leaves and shells were carved into table edges and cabriole knees. The late Georgian period was the time that neoclassical styles came in vogue and such names as Chippendale, Hepplewhite, Sheraton and Adam Brothers came on the furniture scene. Now the curves of the early Georgian period were replaced with straight lines and tapered legs were replaced with the cabriole. Veneers and inlays became more prominent than carving in the later years of this period. (For more information on Chippendale, please see my guide:  Chippendale, Hepplewhite, and Sheraton Antique Furniture)

Regency Period

Late in the reign of George III, his son, the Prince Regent, later to become George IV, promoted the classical styles of Greece, Rome and Egypt, commissioning furniture adorned with mythical creatures and exotic woods such as rosewood, satinwood and ebony. It was during this time that the circular pedestal table became popular as well as the sofa with scrolled arms. Pieces were constructed of mahogany or rosewood and often accented with brass inlay or ormolu mounts. This period saw the beginning of the use of machines for sawing and planning.

Victoria

Victoria, the longest reigning monarch in England’s history (1837-1901) ruled during the revival period in furniture styles.  Mechanization was responsible for lowering the price and increasing availability of the middle classes.  The problem with this era, however, was that mechanization overpowered quality of design.  Most manufacturers of the day were more interested in production than aesthetics. Therefore the styles of the period consist of revivals of previous styles. The Victorian period saw a continuous Gothic revival, an Egyptian revival and after the middle of the century Hepplewhite and Sheraton revivals.  Fortunately, the educated eye can distinguish these nineteenth century reproductions from the real thing.  But there are many more Victorian area revival pieces on the market in the US than the ‘real thing’ of any previous era. The good news is if a person is looking for a well made piece of furniture at much less than museum quality prices, he will probably be able to find something that suits him among these surviving revival pieces from the Victorian era.

One reform minded designer of this period, Charles Eastlake, created furniture whose style hearkened back to simpler styles popular even before Elizabeth I. Near the end of the century, the Arts & Crafts movement started as a reaction to the Victorian mass production frenzy and was characterized by higher quality craftsmanship and simple medieval designs, incorporating pegs, and tenons and other structural components into the aesthetics of the design. One familiar name of this period is William Morris noted for the famous Morris chair.

Edward

Edwardian furniture continued in the revival traditions of the Victorian period with more emphasis on Chippendale, Hepplewhite and Sheraton styled pieces.  The furniture was still mass marketed, the wood was usually not as fine quality as it would have been in the original era and inlays were usually replaced with paint, but good quality true antique pieces are still available. 

Bibliography

Lindquist, David P and Caroline C Warren. English and Continental Furniture with Prices. Radnor, Pennsylvania: Wallace-Homestead Book Company, 1994