American Empire Style Furniture Characteristics

However the american empire furniture and empire dressers in particular maintained a heavy american flavor.

American empire style furniture characteristics.

Rosewood mahogany bird s eye maple veneer marble ormolu and leather. 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. By contrast the american empire style was bulky and large but not. 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.

Except to the critic who resents the disloyalty to the parent style american empire furniture has many attractions. American furniture manufacturers were enthusiastic about this style since it was so easy to adapt for mass production. Examine the piece s hardware. 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. The early american style is unique. The pieces featured plenty of straight lines usually had a massive scale and had plenty of gilded ornaments. Shapes of furniture from this style tend to be more rectangular.

The drawer pull is another giveaway of french empire style. American furniture maker duncan phyfe 1768 1854 is largely credited with popularizing the american empire style. 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. American empire dressers feature native american woods unique designs and excellent craftsmanship.

Empire furniture is bold grand and completely different from its predecessors. Ornamentation was created through the use of brackets grooves chamfers and geometric designs. Supporting columns on the corners of dressers and glass in place of raised panels were also hallmarks of this period. Common characteristics of this form of furniture include intricate carvings clawed feet and twisting columns.

Rose shell scroll and grape carvings are in rococo revival style and water leaf motifs are in american empire style. It was the first point where a distinct style emerged and furniture began to be about more than just practicality. Take a look at this empire sofa to get an idea. Before this new style american furniture was highly inspired by british trends which encouraged light thin and elegant forms.

Empire style in american furniture was heavily influenced by napoleonic styles in france.