What were sofas called in the 19th century?

The very names of the period are synonymous with timeless quality—Queen Anne, Chippendale, Sheraton, Hepplewhite. Sofas with a wide central section and a single outward-facing seat at each end were called a canapé à confidents and were meant to be where people could share confidences.

What style is Victorian furniture?

Victorian furniture refers to the style of antique furniture that was made during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837 – 1901). It is often revivalist in style, in that it adopts stylistic motifs from other periods, creating huge waves of revivals with nostalgic nods to the past.

How was furniture made in the 1800?

In the 19th century, some fine furnishings were made of laminated wood, and experimentation with manipulating wood produced some significant developments in cabinetry. Towards the end of the century, machine joinery put good wood furniture within the reach of middle class purchasers.

How can you tell the period of antique furniture?

Look carefully at the bottom, sides, and back of the drawer; if the wood shows nicks or cuts, it was probably cut with a plane, a spokeshave, or a drawknife. Straight saw marks also indicate an old piece. If the wood shows circular or arc-shaped marks, it was cut by a circular saw, not in use until about 1860.

What are those old couches called?

Settee
Settee, also called sofa, an upholstered seat with back and arms (sometimes upholstered), designed to accommodate two or more people in a sitting or reclining position. The earliest surviving types, dating back to the 17th century in Europe, have sides that let down for conversion into a bed.

What are Victorian sofas called?

Chesterfield Sofa It originated in England in the late 18th century. Legend has it was named for the trend-setting Earl of Chesterfield, who allegedly commissioned one. It is typically associated with mid-19th-century Victorian styles, flourishing with the development of coil-spring technology in the 1830s.

How was furniture finished in the 1800s?

Home-Brewed Finishes From the 18th century to the middle Victorian years, furniture and cabinetmakers finished wood with a hardening oil, varnish or wax blend produced from their own unique formulas.

What was the most important piece of furniture for the colonists?

Perhaps the most important piece of colonial furniture was the chest. From its origin as a plain box to a box with a drawer in it, to chest on chest, until it became the highboy and lowboy, and our modern chest of drawers, it has assumed a prominent place among all the other pieces of furniture.

How do you identify mid century furniture?

Mid century furniture is characterised by clean lines, open sides and classic shapes. If a piece looks ornate or has what feels like extraneous details then treat it with caution. Mid century furniture is often crafted from solid woods, notably teak, elm, beech and rosewood.

How do you identify furniture styles?

Leg and Foot Styles. One of the best ways to identify an antique style is by observing the piece’s legs and feet. Early 17th-century furniture typically featured bun- or ball-style feet. Ball- and claw-style feet are typical of 18th-century furniture, particularly Chippendale , although Thomas Chippendale did not create the design.

What is early American furniture?

Early American furniture is rudimentary, utilitarian furniture made from local woods. It was brought from or modeled after European furniture styles, particularly from England, France, the Netherlands, Scandinavia , and Spain.

What is colonial furniture?

Definition of colonial furniture. : furniture made in the American colonies before the end of the Revolution and largely influenced by contemporary European styles (as the Queen Anne and Georgian ) but having some indigenous features (as greater variety in woods and more extensive use of turnings)

What is period furniture?

The period is regarded by many as the Golden Age of French furniture, a period of grand creativity, influenced by scandal and royal mistresses like Madame de Pompadour and Madame du Barry. Comfort was all the rage in the 18th century and Louis XV style was designed for the comfort and glorification of beautiful women.