Georgian Period Furniture

Timeline

• The Georgian period for furniture starts with King George I of England. The entire period ran from 1714 to 1830, and this was the period during which the elegance and style of the British nobility reached its absolute peak. The end of the period is marked by the death of the final of the Georgian Kings, George IV, who passed away in 1830.

Wood Choice

• Various periods of furniture construction in Britain were characterized by the most popular wood used in furniture construction. Prior to the Georgian period, walnut was the material preferred by those making high-end furniture. Throughout the Georgian period, however, mahogany shows up as the most common wood. Mahogany was used throughout the period in the construction of cabinets, tables, wardrobes, chairs and other furniture.

Style

• In the Georgian period, the primary theme of furniture, and indeed of decoration in general, was that of elegance and ornateness. Furniture was delicate, elaborate and decorative as much as functional. On chairs, for instance, this is when the wingback style became popular. The feet of tables, chairs and other furniture would often be ornately carved. One carving style that was particularly characteristic of the period was the ball and claw shape on the bottom of chair legs, tables and other pieces.

Important Designers

• Several designers of the Georgian period are considered among the most important. Pieces by these makers are still very valuable today. Hepplewhite and Sheraton were two designers that worked during the 1700s making cabinets and other furniture, and who were quite popular during the time. The name which might be the most well known, and certainly who remains one of the most famous furniture makers of all time, was Thomas Chippendale. Authentic Chippendale pieces in good condition are valued at amounts that range into six figures today.