Federal (1780 to 1820)
Predominant Styles: Robert Adam, George Hepplewhite and Thomas Sheraton
The Federal Period known for its various ornamental stylings rooted in neoclassicism such as fluting, inlays of contrasting woods to form the embellishments. Thanks in part to increased trade following the Revolutionary War, several new and exotic woods were available to furniture makers to form these inlays including the iconic bellflower as well as banding with contrasting veneers to form decorative borders. The furniture of this period exhibited a grace and elegance with heavy French and English influence. Hardware was typically brass in a variety of shapes found in nature.
In addition to Hepplewhite's The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Guide, designs for fashionable London furniture were also drawn from The Cabinet-Maker's and Upholsterer's Drawing Book, published in 1792 by Thomas Sheraton. These books formed the basis for most American furniture design of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century. Often the term "Federal Style" is used in reference to American furniture that combines features from both Hepplewhite and Sheraton designs and that cannot be considered a pure manifestation of either style. Robert Adam, Great Britains most popular architect held tremendous sway over the styles of the time. His travels to Italy afforded him first-hand knowledge of the classical world. The furniture designers George Hepplewhite and Thomas Sheraton both published books that helped to bring Adams’ furniture design ideals into the mainstream.
Cabriole legs gave way to simplified, straight legs from Hepplewhite’s influence and decorative inlays were favored over carved detail. Dressing tables and high chests of drawers dwindled, while new pieces such as the sideboard, tambour desk (with desktop-based drawers and pigeonholes) and worktable were introduced. Motifs and forms inspired by ancient Greek and Roman architecture were widely used, and included urns, circular paterae (shallow bowls), swags or garlands, cornucopias (goat’s horns) and columns.
This inspiration for Federal period furniture developed after two of the most groundbreaking discoveries of the modern era — that of Herculaneum in 1738 and Pompeii in 1748. The ancient Italian cities had been buried by the volcanic eruptions of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. which gave real insight into the daily lives of these ancient civilizations and allowed the architecture to be studied in detail.
The Federal era remains among the most cherished antique furniture on the market. The style became popular in the United States following the Revolutionary War; perhaps its association with America’s recent independence from England contributes to its continued popularity it became deeply tied to a patriotic feeling that permeated the new nation; hence, it earned its name, “Federal.”