18th Century American Furniture Styles

 "During the 18th and early 19th centuries, the cabinetmaker's art in America flourished at an extraordinary height of excellence, creating a great national heritage which is now referred to as traditional American furniture.

Although cabinetmaker's pattern books and furniture imported from England were the primary source of inspiration for American craftsmen, their furniture was not a slavish copy of English designs. Instead, new interpretations of established decorative details and unique structural forms were developed, perhaps as expressions of American individualism and determination for independence."

This excellent introduction to an overview of 18th century American furniture is by Francis E. Gift, from a website that is no longer available: Guideposts to Traditional American Furniture. He discussed and described in his glossary the furniture of both Colonial and Federal periods, covering four distinctive styles which were inspired and evolved from English design: Queen Anne, Chippendale, Hepplewhite, and Sheraton.

Generally, Colonial refers to what was made prior to the Declaration of Independence, including Queen Anne/Georgian and early Chippendale. Federal refers to the period from the Revolution to the end of the Federal political party in the 1820s and represents late Chippendale, Hepplewhite, and Sheraton styles.

The styles of the 18th Century followed one another very rapidly, each one an advancement on the previous style. The designs were a reflection of the changing world at the time and was considered more as an art than a craft. Styles were named after the English monarchs of the time or the designers and cabinetmakers that inspired the style or design.  Queen Anne was initially the most original and innovative departure from previous styles, followed by Chippendale (the first style named for its designer, not the reigning monarch), Hepplewhite and Sheraton.

The centers for the finest American craftsmanship were Salem, Massachusetts, Philadelphia, the Tidewater area of the mid-American states, and smaller areas of New England, such as New Hampshire and Maine. Each geographic area seemed spontaneously to develop unique variations upon the originals, which can be identified today not only by locale but by individual artisan. Not coincidentally, these locales were prosperous hubs of shipping and populated by a growing wealthy middle class. By 1780, more than 50% of imported household furnishings came from England. Imports from Europe and England, however, could not keep up with demand, and American craftsmanship flourished during this period.

Americans feel comfortable with this furniture. It has inspired reproductions by American manufacturers up to the present day, and original pieces from the 18th century command high prices at auction and by antiques dealers. The elegance and sophistication of 18th century furniture evokes tradition, order and prosperity. Superior construction and detail even in more recent reproductions commemorate the skill and innovation of American cabinetmakers, a testament to individualism and the birth of a new nation.

Excellent examples of period furniture can be seen at many museums and historical sites around the United States. If you can't visit in person, here is a short list of Museum sites where 18th century furniture is featured:

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Winterthur Museum, Wilmington, DE
Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA

Retailers of 18th c. furniture:
Patrick Sandberg Antiques
Reindeer Antiques Ltd.