Period Styles (part 2 of 6)

Chinoiserie

Chinoiserie was a style that really developed from the European fascination with the exotic porcelain, lacquerware, and other forms of decorative art imported from China and Japan - from the 17th century onwards.

Derived from the chinois, the French word for 'Chinese', the style developed in its own right as European designers created their own fanciful interpretation of exotic oriental styles and motifs.
The result was a style that lasted in various forms for around 200 years, combining ornament from China and Japan, sometimes with both styles evident in one single piece.

Handmade furniture characteristic of the style was the use of exotic motifs such as pagodas, dragons and lotus blossoms, stylized landscapes, Chinamen, imitation lacquerwork known as japanning, and luxurious materials.

Gothic

Influenced by medieveal ecclesiastical architecture, Gothic-style furniture has enjoyed a number of revivals over the years. Current reproduction furniture companies are making some great examples.
The first revival emerged in Britain from the mid 18th century, when furniture makers such as Chippendale applied Gothic architectural elements, such as cusped arches, ogee curves, and quatrefoils, to their designs.
This style was revived during the 19th century and had a considerable influence on the Arts and Crafts movement.

Georgian

Georgian is a term used to describe furniture made in Britain from 1715 to 1811, during the reigns of Georges I, II and III.
Early Georgian furniture, fitted furniture, was primarily made from walnut, and incorporated a number of the Rococo features prevalent at the time, such as serpentine curves, C-and S-scrolls, and claw-and-ball feet.
Late Georgian pieces were mostly made from mahogany, and displayed the rectilinear shapes and Neoclassical ornament that became popular towards the end of the 18th century.

Tomorrow - Period Styles part 3