Late English Renaissance

What I Learned

The late portion of the English Renaissance is from 1750-1830. In the furniture world this includes Middle Georgian, Late Georgian, and Neoclassical styles. Middle Georgian was known as the age of mahogany and is named after the furniture makers George II and George III Chippendale. Late Georgian was known as the age of satinwood and was the end of George III furniture making and included work by Adam Chippendale, Hepplewhite, and Sheraton. Neoclassical was a revival of interest in the arts of Greece and Rome which was brought on and inspired by the excavations of Pompeii. This period was a reaction against the French Rococo period.

Robert Adam was famous at this time. He was an architect, interior designer, and a furniture designer. He studied in Italy and was serious about the revival of classical design. His designs were delicate with fine details and many of his furniture designs are included in his famous book "The Works in Architecture." He worked with a complete integration of all design elements including: furniture, light fixtures, floor coverings, textiles, silver, pottery, and metal work. 

Adam went though a couple different design phases throughout his career. The first (1756-1770) was bold, masculine, and large in scale. It was classical rather than Rococo in style. His second phase (1770-1792) was more delicate and feminine. This influenced French designers at the end of Louis XVI's reign. Mirrors played an important role in his designs. Fabric patterns he was famous for using included: moire, brocade, satin, stripes, and toile. He also created the sideboard which is a wide table with drawers that was created to be placed in the dining room for serving.

Sideboard

Another famous person from this time period was George Hepplewhite. He brought Neoclassic style to the masses and it is still being used today. Neoclassic devices he used included: urns, reeding, oval paterae, ribbons, vases, fluting, and festoons. He didn't use glass in doors and he made satinwood popular. He also invented the washstand.

Washstand

George Hepplewhite's chairs included these characteristics:

• Straight, slender, and slightly tapered legs usually ending in a spade foot.
• Some have stretchers.
• The backs are either oval, shield, or heart shaped with a variety of back splats and pierced designs. Also some backs were upholstered.

The last famous furniture designer I'm going to talk about from this time is Thomas Sheraton. He used satinwood or mahogany for his chairs and their legs were similar to Hepplewhite's chairs' legs. His style was elegant, crisp, and light. Sheraton's furniture didn't use complicated curves and ornament was restricted to the inlay, marquetry, or painted designs. His chairs had square back legs which is mirrored in the seat design. His furniture also included an ornate top rail. Fabrics he used included: satin, silk, chintz, damask, toile, and brocade. He also created the kidney-shaped pedestal desk.

Kidney-shaped pedestal desk

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