18th century American furniture is known best for its many new designs and its increase in prominence throughout American households. 18th century writers oftentimes depicted the American home as a white house with a porch and a rocking chair gently swaying in the wind. This alone is a tribute to the widespread increase in furniture throughout the country during this time.
Rocking chairs were a cornerstone of 18th century furniture and were a must for any house that had a porch. Previously craftsmen built this type of furniture with skates in order to create a swaying motion.
Rocking chairs are historically known as the ‘American Chair’, they existed hundreds of years prior to their induction into American culture. The majority of rocking chairs had no finish, while others were painted to match other outdoor furniture. They were also known for comfort as compared with other outdoor furniture of the time. Oftentimes all that is remembered about 18th century furniture is the rocking chair.
However, there is much more to 18th century furniture than the rocking chair. Amongst the many new styles of furniture that were introduced in this era, two of the better known were Chippendale and Neoclassic. Chippendale furniture was named after designer and cabinet maker Thomas Chippendale. He published his furniture designs during 1754 in a book entitled, “The Gentlemen and Cabinet Maker’s Director”. While the Chippendale style of furniture can be classified into three distinct types, American furniture was primarily based on that influence by Queen Anne. The chairs were known for their elegant designs and fine carvings, cabinets were known for their decorative drawer pulls, and Queen Anne’s influence is palpable.
Neoclassical furniture was also dominant during the 18th century. This type of furniture reflected the of the Greek and Roman furnishings. The 18th century version distinguished themselves from their historically counterparts with straighter lines and simpler decor. While the borders of Roman furniture were often lined with jewels, neoclassical furniture may only have a few strategically placed stones.
Furniture of the 18th century is highly admired by historians and craftsmen alike. Significant developments were made in a wide array of furniture styles and types, including everything from the rocking chair to the cabinet. Even today, despite all the advancements in furniture design and comfort, people go out of their way to purchase 18th century American furniture. |
