Furniture Design During the Eighteenth Century

 The eighteenth century was a time where many of the furniture items we know today were gradually evolving.  One example is the writing bureau.  Writing was very important in dwellings during the 1700s.  Mirrors were added to the cabinet and thus reflected light.  This made it easier for the correspondent to see what he or she was writing.

Seating was evolving in the fact it was becoming more rounded in appearance.  The 1600s provided seating that was square and rather rustic.  The chair backs now had reinforced framing and there was shape to the chair backing.  Further, the seating was upholstered.  This was a far cry from the hard seating arrangements of the previous century.  Further, the legs were the stylish cabriole variety.  The top portion of the leg was convex with it curving or projecting from an area about center of the support.  In other words, you might liken it to an S-shape design.  The wood of choice was mahogany; whereas in the previous century the preferred choice had been walnut.

During the mid-portion of the 1700s, the Rococo style presented itself.  The Rococo style was more refined and employed a considerably lighter design than that of the Baroque styling.  The Rococo design integrated flowers, scrolls, foliage and shells into the furniture design.  Also patterns of the orient became somewhat popular.  During the start of the 1700s, decorative effects on furniture such as birds and pagodas are shown. 

An innovation during the era was that of the circular topped, tripod table.  The table served as a table for afternoon tea.  The top portion generally folded down in order that it could be conveniently stored when not in use.  Despite its practical characteristic, it was normally significantly adorned and included lavish cabriole legs.

Another new product was the center table which was circular in design.  The table was stationary with a based shaped in the form of a triangle.  The table was supported in the center with a pillar.  The table top was generally made of Italian marble.  Normally there was a lion's paw at each of the table's corners.  Further, marble was placed at other outside areas of the table.  The adornment of marble made for a nice decorative tone.

The Rococo era in Britain began to come to an end toward the last quarter of the eighteenth century.  The Neoclassical style replaced the Rococo style.  Designs from ancient Greece and Rome were prevalent.  The designs included urns and garlands.  The tapered or fluted leg replaced the cabriole leg of the Rococo period.  Also, carving was not as common.  The surface of furniture was constructed using wood veneers.  The veneers added a (new) decorative element to the furniture item.

The sideboard and dining table were introduced during the 1700s.  The sideboards generally contained drawers and convex-curved fronts; and tables were primarily pedestal-style tables.  There may be several sections to the table; and each had a pedestal with three legs spread out at the bottom of the respective pedestal.  Mahogany wood was generally used in construction (of the furniture).  The Sheraton design period came about within the last portion of the eighteenth century and continued until the earliest part of the nineteenth century.  The Sheraton design may be characterized as simple and classical.