Connected Furniture Styles Identify Furniture Styles Profile Your Furniture Research Historical Styles

Early American (1640-1700)

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Appearance

Straight lines, simple design, and little ornamentation.

Chair Arms

Arms are straight with a simple turning or are flat.

Chair Back Material

Solid wood.

Chair Back Shape

Banister - vertical turned slats in the shape of a baluster.

Ladderback or slatback - horizontal flat slats, either straight or curved.

Spindle - simple turned vertical slats.

Turned.

Rectangular or square with a central splat.

Solid one piece or solid panel.

Chair Leg

Straight leg, which is vertical to the chair seat.

Simple turned leg.

Chair Seat Material

Wood

Woven rush

Chair Seat Shape

Square

Drawer Pull

Carved wood handle.

Elongated turned wooden knob.

Mushroom-shaped wooden knob.

Tear-drop shaped pull attached by a knob to a circular, oval, or diamond shaped back plate.

Fabric

Cretonne

Leather

Linen

Finish

Oil varnish

Paint

Wax

Foot

Block - flat-surfaced foot.

Bracket - angular curved foot, usually used with case pieces.

Bun - rounded foot, flatter than a ball foot.

Continuation of leg.

Hardware Material

Iron

Leather

Wood

Joint

Mortise and tenon

Line

Straight lines

Motif

Circle

Diamond

Flowers - rose, sunflower, tulip

Pine tree

Scroll

Ornamentation

Carving - cutting or chipping shapes or design.

Finials - decorative turning fixed to the tops of cabinets, highboys, chairs, and bed posts.

Paneling - raised, recessed, and framed panels.

Spindle - turned pieces split vertically, often fixed to the front facade of chests.

Proportion

Heavy with thick dimensions.

Resembles

Jacobian

Pennsylvania Dutch

William and Mary

Underbracing

Heavy

Upholstery

Most seating pieces of wood, cane, rush, or woven cloth.

Wood

Ash

Birch

Cherry

Elm

Fruitwood

Hickory

Maple

Oak

Pine

Sycamore