Federal Style Furniture
Many furniture styles are associated with a particular time in history. Federal style furniture, in particular, is associated with the birth of the independent United States.
Federal Style Furniture
In 1783, the Peace Treaty of Paris was signed giving the American Colonies their independence from Great Britain. The new nation was to bring many innovations of their own to the world stage, and one was a new and distinct style of furniture making and design that is called the Federal Style. The Federal period is usually dated from 1780 to 1820. The style replaced the earlier American Chippendale style, but the connection with the mother country was not completely broken. Simply put, American Federal style furniture did retain some of the British influence.
It was a time of elegance in the emerging nation. Ladies would be sipping tea in finely appointed drawing rooms, while the men smoked and discussed the politics of the times in spacious libraries. Fortunes were being made as well, and the newly wealthy wanted large homes furnished in elaborate style. Federal style furniture was just the ticket.
Dark woods were extremely popular at the time. In Europe, mahogany was the wood of choice, but the Americans were making much use of cherry wood which was every bit as beautiful. A less expensive option was walnut that was usually stained a deep red with potassium chloride. There was much use of intricate workmanship. Contrasts were a very popular theme. Often inlays of different woods were used. Sometimes the wood was scorched to produce darker and lighter areas.
In the later part of the period, as the break with Great Britain became more distinct, there was much use of Stars and Eagles as decorative motifs. These national symbols replaced the more European standards that had been used in the beginning. There was much variety within the style. Duncan Phyfe, a well known craftsman of the era, favored the mahogany wood, and is famous for his chairs which featured concave backs and concave legs. Another designer of the time, Charles Honore Lannuier was fond of using brass and gilded ornamentation on his pieces.
The Federal Period burned with a bright flare of style through the early years of the American experience, but soon the excitement and newness of nationhood had worn off. The new era that would lead to the American Civil War was beginning. The country was beginning its expansion that would take it into the west and to the Pacific Ocean. The Federal period and the elegant federal style furniture it produced would take its place in the history books. The pieces that remain today are valuable antiques that speak to us of a long ago time when the United States was in its infancy, and the potential was unlimited. Perhaps it still is.