American Empire Style Furniture Characteristics

Common characteristics of this form of furniture include intricate carvings clawed feet and twisting columns.

American empire style furniture characteristics.

Supporting columns on the corners of dressers and glass in place of raised panels were also hallmarks of this period. It often suggests the dignity and grandeur of the french pieces coupled with that insistence upon utility for which the american is famous. A common french drawer pull includes a lion s head with a large ring running through its nose. Empire furniture is bold grand and completely different from its predecessors.

American empire is a french inspired neoclassical style of american furniture and decoration that takes its name and originates from the empire style introduced during the first french empire period under napoleon s rule. Empire style in american furniture was heavily influenced by napoleonic styles in france. By contrast the american empire style was bulky and large but not. Ornamentation was created through the use of brackets grooves chamfers and geometric designs.

However the american empire furniture and empire dressers in particular maintained a heavy american flavor. American empire 1800 to 1840 the american empire period took more influence from the french than the english with a greater emphasis on curved arms cabriole legs and ornate paw or claw feet. Take a look at this empire sofa to get an idea. The carvings usually contain animal themes often featuring bird s wings dolphin heads or other distinctive motifs.

Before this new style american furniture was highly inspired by british trends which encouraged light thin and elegant forms. The drawer pull is another giveaway of french empire style. American empire dressers feature native american woods unique designs and excellent craftsmanship. Examine the piece s hardware.

Rose shell scroll and grape carvings are in rococo revival style and water leaf motifs are in american empire style. Pine birch cherry maple oak the early american style of furniture emerged during the second half of the 17th century by american colonists as life in the colonies became more settled. In the collection of the cincinnati art museum. The early american style is unique.

American furniture manufacturers were enthusiastic about this style since it was so easy to adapt for mass production. American furniture maker duncan phyfe 1768 1854 is largely credited with popularizing the american empire style. It was the first point where a distinct style emerged and furniture began to be about more than just practicality. Rosewood mahogany bird s eye maple veneer marble ormolu and leather.

The empire furniture echoed the characteristics of the overall style.