Antique English Neo-Classical Style Furniture
English Neo-Classic Furniture Design by Adam, Hepplewhite & Sheraton
Nov 2, 2009
Though they may appear to be similar, each style has specific elements that are easy to identify and remember. However, is it also correct to simply refer to the designs as "George III."
Robert Adam Neo-Classical Furniture Style
Robert Adam was an English architect and designer. He was influenced by English Palladian architecture and classical antiquities from the 1738 excavations at Pompeii and Herculaneum. Adam was not a cabinet maker and his designs, in vogue from 1762 to 1792, were built by contemporary furniture makers, including Thomas Chippendale.
Elements of Adam English Neo-Classic Style Furniture
Adam’s early designs included square, somewhat heavy architectural pieces, decorated with applied carved wooden classical motifs, such as urns and acanthus leaves. As his work progressed, metal and plaster replaced wood for carved and moulded ornamentation. It was lighter and often gilded or painted white. Case furniture was rectangular, often with a baluster leg. Adam’s mature work included tables of semi-circular design with tapering legs, medallions and pastel colours. By the end of his career, Adam’s techniques and designs were widely copied while his own creativity declined.
Main Features of Adam Neo-Classical Chairs
Chair backs were rectilinear, hooped, serpentine, lyre or oval shaped. Chair legs were rounded, tapered and reeded, ending in a small moulded foot. Arms were straight and set back and rested on supports that curved inwards. Favourite motifs included husks, floral festoons, honeysuckles, lyres and urns.
George Hepplewhite Neo-Classical Furniture Style
George Hepplewhite was an English cabinet maker and designer. His designs were fashionable between 1780 and 1795. Noted for his light simplicity and elegant proportions, Hepplewhite was inspired by Robert Adam, Thomas Chippendale, Thomas Sheraton and the French Louis XVI style. Hepplewhite died in 1786 but his book The Cabinet Maker and Upholsterer’s Guide was published posthumously and influenced many other designers.
Elements of Hepplewhite Neo-Classic Style Furniture
Hepplewhite’s pieces were usually rectilinear and gracefully proportioned. Curves were introduced in seat and chair backs. Beaded and fluted surfaces are a hallmark of Hepplewhite style.
Distinctive Features of Hepplewhite Neo-Classical Chairs
Hepplewhite chairs are known for their shield, heart-shaped or oval backs. The preferred leg was square and tapered with a spade foot. Arms were set back on curved supports. Favourite motifs were the Prince of Wales feather, wheat ear, rosettes, husks, and low relief carvings.
Thomas Sheraton Neo-Classical Style
Thomas Sheraton designed furniture and published The Cabinetmaker and Upholsterer’s Drawing Book in four parts from 1791 to 1794. He was not a cabinet maker but rather produced his drawings for the use of contemporary furniture makers. Sheraton’s early designs were light, elegant and graceful while his later ones were dull and heavy, burdened with fantastic ornamentation. His creations were popular from 1790-1806.
Elements of Sheraton English Neo-Classic Furniture
Initially, Sheraton was influenced by the Neo-Classicism of both Robert Adam and George Hepplewhite. Later on, the French Directoire and Empire styles inspired his work. Sheraton furniture is known for its rectilinear, sharp simple lines, and slender appearance. Tapered legs were often capped with a brass toe or wheeled caster.
Distinctive Features of Sheraton Neo-Classical Chairs
Sheraton chair backs are usually rectangular or square and splats were often flanked by delicate fluted columns. Slender tapered legs were round, reeded or fluted and ring collared, while arms extended to the front from high on the chair back. Typical motifs included urns, floral garlands and foliage scrolls.
Resource Credits
This article was researched using information from The Complete Guide to Furniture Styles by Louis Ade Boger and through the Interior Design programme at Sheridan College, Oakville.
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