Relevant categories: Bookcases,Desks,Cabinets and Chests
(Above photo - Georgian Bureau Bookcase )
Georgian furniture was produced over more than a century from 1714 when George I became king to 1830 when George IV passed away. Thus, the furniture is defined by different styles, depending on the significant designer at the given instant. When you divide it into the various distinct periods, you get the following:
• The early Georgian era from 1714 to 1727 (when King George I reigned) • The Chippendale style or classic period 1727 to 1760 (when King George II reigned) • The Classic Georgian style between 1760 to 1820 (when King George III reigned) • The Regency style between 1820 to 1830 (When King George IV reigned) During that time, furniture makers preferred mahogany to walnut (which had been the favorite material from previous eras). A smooth transition saw mahogany's use reach its height about 1745 with a Chippendale style furniture. Designers slowly dropped the Queen Anne era's Dutch-influenced features, adopting shorter chair backs and varied outlines. The following are the most incredible furniture designers during the Georgian period:
1. Thomas Chippendale
(Above photo - Chippendale bookcase antique furniture ) Thomas Chippendale had one of the most significant influences on Georgian furniture. Having started his work in the last years of George I, he used walnut, transitioning to mahogany around 1735. The disappearance of Dutch features ushered in Chinese, gothic, classic, French rococo, Louis XV, and Louis XVI elements.
2. Robert and James Adam
(Above photo - Adams console table in mahogany ) Other influential designers included Robert Adam and James Adam, brothers with backgrounds in architecture and interior design. Thanks to their unique designs, they greatly influence the direction in which Georgian furniture would go. They helped re-orient Georgian furniture to the delicate, classic styles with pleasing proportions and unmatched elegance.
While Chippendale has favored cabriole legs, the Adam brothers used straight legs, lightening the construction. Also, the furniture had low-relief carvings with classic elements. Their chairs were delicate, small, with low and narrow legs. In most cases, the chairs tool an oval shape. Later on, they introduced ebony, satinwood, tulip-wood, or painted inlays of garlands, festoons, ribbon bands, arabesques, acanthus leaves, oval sunburst, laurel wreaths, and urns.
3. George Hepplewhite
(Above photo - Hepplewhite Breakfront bookcase ) Another master Georgian furniture designer is George Hepplewhite, who produced beautiful furniture from 1765 to 1775. He came up with a unique style that featured shield-back chairs and square tapering legs that ended in spadefoot. Hepplewhite is credited with having refined the sideboard, making it lighter and graceful.
4. Thomas Sheraton
(Above photo - Sheraton cabinet mahogany marquetry inlay) Last in the list of Georgian furniture designers is Thomas Sheraton, who took a more artistic approach to furniture making. One of his most defining creations is the desk with elaborate inlays and secret drawers. Working under the Adam brothers' heavy influence, Sheraton used certain types of wood in specific rooms.
Conclusion
(Above photo - Georgian pedestal desk antique mahogany ) Georgian furniture designers greatly influenced each other, with each new designer improving on what the predecessor had started. They made great chairs, tables, sideboards, beds, secretaries, chests of drawers, and clock cases. They include Thomas Chippendale, the Adam brothers, George Hepplewhite, and Thomas Sheraton. All of them have made an indelible mark on furniture design in the past and today.
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