Overview - American Furniture Periods

In earliest, colonial times in America (1755 to 1810) our furniture designs followed primarily English designs.

Chippendale 1750 - 1790

Sheraton and Hepplewhite 1790 - 1815

American Empire (French Empire led) 1815 - 1835

From 1835 forward, America branched off from Europe to create more of its own furniture designs and architecture. Queen Victoria came to the throne in England at age 18 and reigned until her death in 1901. Just at the same time America was growing and expanding rapidly with new inventions, westward expansions, railroads, and growing economies.

This was the birth of the American Victorian era of furniture, design and architecture.

Below are the timeframes and periods / styles that fall under the Victorian umbrella.

American Gothic 1830 - 1840 LINK

Rococo 1840 - 1865 LINK

Elizabethan 1850 - 1870

Renaissance 1860 - 1880 LINK

Aesthetic Movement 1870 - 1890 LINK

Neo Grec 1870 - 1885 LINK

Moorish 1880 - 1890 LINK

Eastlake 1885 - 1900 LINK

When many think Victorian is Eastlake and the later, more machine made furniture, they can totally miss the unique hand made and highly carved pre 1880’s treasures that furnished some of America’s finest homes.

Which of these sub-periods within Victorian catch your energy and imagination ?
Let us know !
We welcome your dialogue and questions