| In Part One of this series of articles about the | | | | neo-classical period. During this time, sleek shapes |
| history of antique furniture, we looked at the | | | | such as columns, ovals and circles were used. |
| different styles that emerged during the Renaissance | | | | The Eclectic Or Victorian Period |
| period right through to the Baroque Period. | | | | The Victorian period saw a revival of previous styles |
| This journey took us through the Tudor style which | | | | combined with modern and new one, and as a result |
| was heavily influenced by Europeans, Elizabethan | | | | you can often find the combination of both classic |
| style which was modelled on work done by our | | | | and contemporary styles in one piece of furniture. |
| Italian counterparts, to Jacobean style which featured | | | | As the sub title of this section suggests, the |
| heavily in oak and walnut furniture, and then right | | | | Victorian period is also known as the eclectic period, |
| through to the Baroque period. | | | | due in part to its eclectic revival of many historic |
| The next style of note was the Rococo style, and | | | | styles. It was also responsible for introducing many |
| this is where pieces moved away from the simpler | | | | cross-cultural influences, with styles and designs from |
| designs of its predecessors, and more in to ornate, | | | | Asian and the Middle East clearly evident in both |
| detailed and florid designs. | | | | furniture and fittings. |
| The Rococo Style | | | | During the Victorian period there really was no one |
| The Gregorian style of antique furniture design was | | | | dominant style of furniture, with designers preferring |
| developed during the Rococo period, and early | | | | to use combination's of styles that related to various |
| Gregorian pieces were also influenced by Queen | | | | periods in time such as Tudor, Elizabethan and |
| Anne's design. The whole ideology of furniture had | | | | Neoclassical to name but a few. In fact, arguably the |
| become almost a status symbol and this meant that | | | | most popular styles during this period were the |
| furniture took on a role in both comfort and | | | | Gothic and Rococo revival styles. |
| versatility. | | | | There is no doubt that the Victorian period signaled a |
| It was certainly evident that during the mid-Gregorian | | | | significant shift in the design, perception and function |
| era, mahogany was the overwhelming choice of | | | | of furniture. Generally speaking a person's house |
| wood, outshining the previously popular walnut. | | | | would have been neatly divided in to separate rooms, |
| Although both the French and Gothic styles were | | | | with very obvious distinctions between public and |
| evident during the Rococo period, English furniture | | | | private spaces. |
| makers were starting to become more experimental | | | | The sitting room was considered the most important |
| as they leaned toward designing pieces such as | | | | and was often a room used for showcasing furniture. |
| ornately designed mirrors and chairs with ribbon | | | | This meant that the room was used a lot and so it in |
| backs. | | | | many cases reflected the style and status of the |
| The famous English antique furniture maker Thomas | | | | owner of the house, such was the importance placed |
| Chippendale was influenced by the Rococo style, and | | | | on it. |
| whilst his designs kept some of the features, he | | | | As well as the sitting being important, the dining room |
| stopped short of the full blown French influence. In | | | | would have been the second-most important room in |
| fact perhaps the most successful exponent of British | | | | the house. This meant that the sideboard was often |
| Rococo was a carver and furniture designer who | | | | a focal point, as was the style of your dining table |
| worked in London during the mid 1700s, a gentleman | | | | and the chairs that would surround the table. |
| by the name of Thomas Johnson. | | | | And so this concludes Part Two of articles covering a |
| As time went on, so did the style. Late Gregorian | | | | brief history of antique furniture, and the many |
| design can almost be characterised as leaning back | | | | influences along the way that give us the diversity in |
| towards the more classical style of antique furniture. | | | | styles and designs that are still popular in many |
| In fact, you will hear this period referred to as the | | | | houses today. |