Antique Furniture Styles Gothic (1558-1625) Domestic furniture during the early Gothic period were essentially of simple

and crude construction. The furniture was solid and massive and severe in character . The forms of the furniture were generally rectilinear with emphasis on the ver tical. Early Colonial 17th Century The earliest American furniture was based on the English furniture makers that u sed Italian Renaissance influences. Louis XIV (1643-1715) Although Louis XIV furniture affected public taste to some extent in the second half of the 17th century, it was never in a general manner adopted throughout Fr ance.Louis XIV furniture was too elaborate and costly to be found in the homes o f the middle class. Louis XV (1720-1760) The Louis XV style is virtually a synonym for the term Rococo. The furniture, of which there was an enormous amount produced, was easily adapted to suit the nee ds of all the different classes, from royal to provincial, and was offering the maximum of comfort. Also see: The Rococo Style William & Mary (1700-1725) By the 18th century, a simplified version of Baroque William and Mary style bega n to appear in the interiors of American buildings. Queen Anne (1725-1755) Americans adopted the English Queen Anne style and simplified it in several ways , drawing from three English periods. Chippendale (1755-1780) Did you know every American region has there own specific Chippendale style elem ents? Also find out how to identify: * Chippendale Chairs

Sheraton (1751-1806) The Sheraton style was remarkable for its refined elegance, excellent proportion s and balanced distribution of ornaments. It also mirrored the influence of Robe rt Adam and the Louis XVI style, which Sheraton greatly admired. Windsor 18th Century Windsor is derived from an important English market town, where such furniture w as sold. Germanic 18th Century Germanic furniture represented very old traditions, decorative motifs originated in medieval illuminations. Federal (1780-1820) The architectural term Federal is also called Neo-Classicism since the classical styles were introduced during America's Feder al age. Empire (1820-1840) The second phase of Classicism or Empire style, reflects the fascination with re cent discoveries of actual Greek and Roman furniture. Also see: American Empire Furniture Biedermeier (1815-1860) The term Biedermeier is derived from the name of a political caricature appearin g in a German newspaper, who typified a well-to-do middle-class man without cult ure. Shaker 19th Century The Shakers, a religious sect made a significant contribution to American design .

Revival 19th Century A bundled chapter about all the revival styles in antique American furniture. Eastlake (mid 1860's) The Early English style, also sometimes called Modern English Gothic, of which C harles Lock Eastlake (1836-1906) was a leading exponent, started to gain popular ity around the mid-1860's. Innovative (1800-1900) Innovative furniture became very popular during the 19th century, when furniture makers started to experiment with new machines and materials. Art Nouveau (1880-1920) A style inspired on free flowing or organic forms, floral abstraction, linear, u ndulating and rhythmic.