American Empire style
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American Empire is a
decorative arts, as well as the visual arts
.
In American furniture, the Empire style was most notably exemplified by the work of
Greek-key
patterns, or individual shapes such as stars or circles.
The most elaborate furniture in this style was made around 1815-25, often incorporating columns with rope-twist carving, animal-paw feet,
anthemion, stars, and acanthus-leaf ornamentation, sometimes in combination with gilding and vert antique (antique green, simulating aged bronze). The Red Room at the White House is a fine example of American Empire style. A simplified version of American Empire furniture, often referred to as the Grecian style, generally displayed plainer surfaces in curved forms, highly figured mahogany veneers, and sometimes gilt-stencilled decorations. Many examples of this style survive, exemplified by massive chests of drawers with scroll pillars and glass pulls, work tables with scroll feet and fiddleback
chairs. Elements of the style enjoyed a brief revival in the 1890s with, particularly, chests of drawers and vanities or dressing tables, usually executed in oak and oak veneers.
This Americanized interpretation of the Empire style continued in popularity in conservative regions outside the major metropolitan centers well past the mid-nineteenth century.
See also
- Federal furniture
- Lighthouse clock
- Classical American Homes Preservation Trust
References
- Furniture - Empire style, buffaloah.com.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to American Empire furniture.