Victorian furniture

This ppt explain different eras of victorian furniture and its history with detail.

1. Victorian Style
Presented by - Balpreet | Simanshu | Jaspreet | Sparsh | Jasmine | Aditi
FURNITURE
20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901
Furniture Design - IV

2. Contents
1.GOTHIC REVIVAL 1840's - 1860's
Timeline
2.ROCOCO REVIVAL 1840's - 1870's
4.Aesthetic
Movement Victorian
1870's - 1880's
3.RENAISSANCE
REVIVAL
1860's - 1885's
5.Art and craft
movement
1880's - 1920's
6. Eastlake movement
1870's - 1890's

3. Intro and History :

The Victorian Period in furniture dates from approximately 1830-1890. The reign of Queen Victoria
(1837-1901) and her love of the ornate greatly affected design styles during this period. Most Victorian
furniture is a mixture of many other styles including Gothic, Tudor, Elizabethan, Rococo, and
Neoclassic, with Gothic and Rococo being the most common. True Victorian furniture is difficult to
recognize because of this mixing of styles. The Victorian look was typically cluttered with dark
furniture, heavy fabrics, and lots of china and glassware as accessories.
The Industrial Revolution transformed manufacturing processes and made the middle class more
prosperous. New wealth required a means of showcasing this new status in homes. The
manufacturing capabilities of the Industrial Revolution caused Victorian furniture to be the first style
of furniture to be mass produced in order to fulfill the decorating needs of the newly prosperous.
Direct contact between the individual craftsmen and the purchaser no longer existed. Furniture
pieces were made by multiple persons, rather than a single craftsman creating an entire piece, which
eventually cheapened the quality of craftsmanship.

4. Gothic Revival
FURNITURE
Timeline: 1840s -1860s
Gothic Revival was not the most lovable architecture and
furniture style in Europe and United States in the 19th century.
It was deemed uncomfortable, ornate and pretentious.

5. CHARACTERISTICS
1.Ornate carvings
2.Turrets
Detailed carvings were done on the furniture with careful
use of machines or human hands.These carvings can be
found of mostly all of the furniture in a house.
Turrets can be seen on chairs,
dressing tables, beds, etc. These
can also been seen on top of the
castles as to retaliate invaders
but used as a element in
furniture.
These elements were considered
spiritual protectors of churches
as well, scaring off demons and
evil spirits.
3.Gargoyles
Turrets
Ornate carvings
Gargoyles

6. 5.Quatrefoil
Quatrefoil
These are rose shaped design
which are used in furniture designs
to make the furniture aesthetically
pleasing.
4.Rosettes
These are also design elements
used in furniture these include a
design have 4 circles connected
with tangents which also looks like
a leaf.
The furniture usually had high
back pieces which also made the
furniture fit for kings and queens
as the furniture gave throne like
looks.
6.High backs
Rosettes
Chair
with
High back

7. The woods preferred by makers of this period were
walnut and oak, with some use of mahogany and
rosewood .
The pieces are generally heavy and made of dark wood.
The wood is usually stained or varnished in a dark
colour.
Upholstery with materials such as velvet, leather or
brocade.
Materials used in furniture

8. These are rose shaped design
which are used in furniture designs
to make the furniture aesthetically
pleasing.
4.Rosettes
These are also design elements
used in furniture these include a
design have 4 circles connected
with tangents which also looks like
a leaf.
5.Quatrefoil
The furniture usually had high
back pieces which also made the
furniture fit for kings and queens
as the furniture gave throne like
looks.
6.High backs

9. Rococo Revival
FURNITURE
Timeline: 1840s -1870s
The Rococo Revival style gained popularity in
France during the reign of Louis-Philippe (1773–
1850; reigned 1830–48).

10. Natural realistic motifs
Curved cabriole legs
C and S curves
Common features include organic motifs
(plants, vines, leaves, flowers), seashells,
and other natural forms in furniture
decorations.
Rococo furniture was visually light, making
use of lighter woods, light pastels, or white
shades. It was characterized by an airy
weightlessness, as the legs on the
furnishings were commonly cabriole legs
Many of the furnishings had a
strong use of curves and
counter-curves. They use C
scrolls, S scrolls, and scroll feet.
Lavish and Comfy
items like sofas and chairs became
more comfortable, lavish, and
important. In fact, these Rococo sofas
and chairs were commonly used to
entertain guests of the aristocrats at
private parties at their estates for
hours at a time. Sofas were common in
public rooms so guests could sit and
chat for long periods

11. Characteristics:
Marble tabletops, Mahogany, rosewood'
and walnut asymmetric ornamentation
these pieces were made
visually light, making use of lighter woods,'
light pastels, or white shades
tufted upholstery which included cherub,'
fruit, shell, flower, and scroll motifs'
inspired by 18th-century Rococo designs
The acanthus leaf is one of
the basic motifs of Rococo
design. It is not very closely
related to a real acanthus leaf
(Acanthus mollis), but is
rather a stylised version of it.

12. Aesthetic Movement
Victorian
FURNITURE
Timeline: 1870s -1880s
During the 19th century, Aesthetic Movement led to a
shift in Victorian interior style that included boycotting
Victorian Traditions. This movement meant to beautify
aesthetics of art not just complementing the moral and
only opinions forced. It was in response to mass production
in Victorian styles, and so the movement led by Ruskin,
Morris and Oscar Wilde is called 'Cult of beauty'.

13. Japan’s exports swamped the British marketplace when it
started publicly dealing with foreign nations in 1854. The
stylized organic themes, circular forms, and geometric patterns
that marked this new style charmed both artists and customers.
Its simplicity and grace of form contrasted strikingly with
Victorian styles that were congested and busy.
3.Motifs used
Edward Godwin, Christopher Dresser, and William Morris were among the famous
designers of the time. Metalwork, fabrics, furniture, and ceramics with geometric
forms, stylized floral, vegetable, and zoomorphic themes influenced by the Middle
Ages and Japanese aesthetics were developed by these artisans. Composition
usually layered on top of one another. Muted primary colors. Tertiary colors (ie:
blue-greens), old gold, olive, terra-cotta, drab or khaki, accented with Japanese
colors like yellow, gold, and reds.
Characteristics
1.Japanese Inspiration
2.Interiors
Aesthetic art is distinguished by geometric patterns, muted colors, and reduced
linear shapes, curvy forms, and rich detail. Sunflowers, peacock feathers, lilies,
paisley, flowers, leaves, Japanese forms, insects, butterflies and birds.

14. Characteristics
4. The Contrast
Aesthetic Movement furniture can give
you whiplash. On one hand it can be
delicately rendered, on the other hand it
can hit you over the head with goofiness.
The Aesthetic movement was a reaction to
the heavy and suffocating Victorian styles
Furniture and decorative items from this movement eschewed any deep
meaning and emphasized beauty over any political or social statements.
The term “art for art’s sake” is used to sum up the movement. There are
several common themes in the Aesthetic Movement: the use of natural
motifs, especially flowers, birds and insects; ebonized wood with incised
gilt lines; Asian, particularly Japanese, influences; strong blue, green
and yellow colors; blue and white ceramics.
5. Themes and Meanings
6. Details
Even the smallest pieces of Aesthetic Movement furniture
have layers of detail. A small side table of ebonized wood has
a top made of mahogany bordered with ebony and brass. A
gallery gives the lower shelf the appearance of a balcony. The
table top has two inlays of exotic woods: an Egyptian scarab
and a bee.

15. Materials &
Ornamentations
The sunflower is one of the most common flowers carved
in furniture, while gilt and brass are used for their yellow
color. In the mahogany chest pictured at the top the red
of the wood contrasts nicely with the gilt sunflower
panels and the brass drawer pulls and locks.
SUNFLOWER
SIDE CHAIRS
These side chairs are of
ebonized wood with incised
gilt lines. The crestrail has
delicate panels of inlay leaves
in satinwood and brass.
A more robust corner, or roundabout, chair is made
of rosewood and rosewood veneer.
The crestrail is in three parts and is carved with
sunflowers, foliage and two butterflies. The arms
end in a scrolled sunflower. The back rails are carved
with foliage and flowers.
A closer look and you can see the lace wings of the
butterfly, its carrot-shaped body, jaunty antenae and
gimlet eye.

ROSEWOOD ARMCHAIR

16. Liberty & Co. in London made their own line of furniture
and this is a typical side table in mahogany with an
unadorned top. But on the right side you can see the detail
given to this table in the pierced gallery of the lower shelf
and the pierced sections of the legs.

LIBERTY & CO. SIDE TABLE 1895
Minton brought Japanese
artists to England to paint
decorative tiles and ceramics.
The tiles for this mantle depict
birds, lakes and islands of
bamboo.
WALNUT MANTLE, 1880S
A small cabinet with
sides and front of glass
shows the influence of
Japanese architecture.
JAPANESE INSPIRED
CABINET, 1895
The glazed red back
panel sings against the
ebonized wood.

Materials &
Ornamentations

17. Materials &
Ornamentations
GAMES TABLE WITH
PIETRA DURA MARBLE
TOP, AMERICAN , 1880
SPUTNIK LIKE CENTER SUPPORT
THEBES STOOL,
1400BC - 1350BC
EVERY FURNITURE
GENERATION HAS A
THEBES-INSPIRED
STOOL. THIS ONE IS
IN BAMBOO WITH
BALL AND SPINDLE
STRETCHERS
LIBERTY & CO. SIDE
TABLE WITH A LOT OF
SPINDLES.

18. Materials &
Ornamentations
HUNZINGER ARMCHAIR, AMERICAN,
1875, WITH SPINDLE TURNINGS AND
BALL TERMINALS.
DETAIL OF BACK LEG
HUNZINGER
MECHANICAL
ROCKER
WITH A LOT
OF BALL
TURNINGS,
1890.
THE BALLS AT THE TOP HAVE
THEIR OWN LITTLE PATCHES
OF VELVET UPHOLESTRY TO
CUSHION THE SITTER’S HEAD.

19. Renaissance Revival
FURNITURE
Timeline: 1860-1885
It is characterized by an eclectic use of both
Renaissance and 18th-century Neoclassical
motifs on straight-lined forms loosely based on
16th-century French models.

20. has turned and fluted legs, raised, or inset burled
panels, heavily carved finials and crests, inset
marble tops, and cookie-cut corners.
Motifs used at various times include
strapwork, gadroons, arabesque, lozenge
patterns, applied pendants and split
balusters.
Common motifs were flowers,
fruit, cartouches, medallions,
contoured panels, caryatids, scrolls,
classical busts, and animal heads,
as well as architectural elements,
usually without any structural
intent, such as pediments, columns,
and balusters.
Upholstery was
prominently featured on
chairs and sofas.
Ornament from the then
current Louis XVI Revival
- popular with elegant
New York cabinetmakers,
who favored ebonizing and
ormolu - was sometimes
incorporated in the work
of the 1860s.

characteristics

21. Settees- Wide chairs with upholstered backs and seat
cushions.
Day beds - Long chairs with a fixed or adjustable
side cushion.
Stools, Benches and Settles, some with high paneled
backs and arms.
Tables: Permanent tops, leaves and gate legs.
Storage: Heavily carved chests and cupboards.
Beds: Boxed and 4 posters with rich textiles.

22. Materials used :
Porcelain, bronze, or mother-of-pearl plaques were
popular embellishments on pieces within scribed,
linear classical motifs.
Walnut was the most popular wood, with some veneer introduced
as surface decoration. Light woods were favored in reaction to
the prevailing dark woods of the Empire and Rococo Revival
styles.

Many pieces are further decorated by
black and gold incising, marquetry inlay
and bronze or brass mounts.

23. Art and craft
In general, Arts & Crafts furniture is considered to be pieces that have
smaller, thinner lines than Stickley's Craftsman/Mission work. It included
accents such as carvings, inlay work, curved boards, and other decorative
details that Gustav would have never dreamed of including in his own
designs. In many ways, it could be described as Craftsman with more
panache and less substance.
Furniture
Timeline:1880-1920

24. Handcrafted Quality
Rectilinear Forms
Lack of Ornamentation
Excellent craftsmanship — ideally
completed by hand — is the hallmark
of the arts and crafts movement,
which praised sturdy construction.
Simplicity and utilitarianism are
key when it comes to furniture
from the movement. You won't
find ornate flourishes here.
Characteristics
Though the movement drew from nature,
curvaceous forms were better left to textile
design than furniture design. It's all about
straight lines in arts and crafts furniture.
Stained Wood
Calling on nature for inspiration, furniture
from this era typically features sturdy wood
like oak. It's not left natural, but rather
stained, allowing a craftsman to perfect the
color.
Mortise-and-Tenon Joinery
o
Arts and crafts pieces are not often held
together with nails or glue. Instead, makers would
create tightly fit mortise-and-tenon joinery in an
impressive display of furniture-making skill and
attention to detail.

25. Arts and Crafts Furniture
Design and Material
o
One of the main characteristics of Arts and
Crafts furniture was its fine materials and
craftsmanship. Arts and Crafts furniture
favored simple, rectilinear design (straight
vertical or horizontal lines) rather than
Victorian curves and ornaments. Woods were
often high-quality materials like oak, walnut,
and cherry. Unlike the Victorian style, these
wood materials were maximized for their own
beauty rather than heavily carved. The
emphasis was often on the natural elements of
Arts and Crafts design itself, highlighting the
grain, texture, and beauty of wood or stone.
Wood furniture often sported simple,
undecorated hardware.
Upholstery was typically used sparingly. Rather than the
velvet or florals popular in Victorian home design, there
was an emphasis on more natural materials like leather,
canvas, and woven fabrics. Color pallets were usually
neutral or nature-inspired colors like dark green, brown,
gray, terra cottas, and tan.
'
'
In general, Arts and Crafts furniture is rectilinear,
meaning it has many straight lines, often with an emphasis
on vertical and elongated forms. It's usually made of
hardwood like oak, and any upholstery is natural materials
like leather or canvas.
o

26. Eastlake Movement
Victorian
FURNITURE
Timeline: 1870s -1890s
The Eastlake movement was a nineteenth-century
architectural and household design reform movement
started by British architect and writer Charles
Eastlake(1836-1906).
The movement is generally considered part of the late
Victorian period in terms of broad antique furniture
designations.

27. Geometric Shapes
Shallow Carvings
Straight Lines
Furniture generally has geometric shapes with
squares, rectangles, diamonds, and half circles.
These shapes are simple and modern, and we
won't see a lot of scrolling, ribbons, or fancy
curving motifs.
Another iconic characteristic of Eastlake
furniture is horizontal and vertical stacked
incised lines. Like the carvings, these lines
are shallows and undecorated.
Most Eastlake furniture pieces
have some carving. These
etchings tend to be shallow and
nature-inspired.
Natural materials
Furniture makers manufactured pieces
using raw wood, either oak, walnut, or
cherry. The furniture is usually lighter-
toned than other Victorian furniture
bz. it makers used oils instead of stains.
Furniture featured a lot of marble and
utilitarian fabrics like leather. Brackets
and handles also usually had some design
with a shallow relief.

28. Oak and cherry wood used in this as well as rosewood
and walnut. Sometimes it is difficult to tell what type of
wood was used because of dark varnishes coating the
surface.
There was also a emphasis on the beauty of natural
wood grain and its imperfections.
Materials used in furniture

29. Height 40" (102cm)
Width 65" (165cm)
Depth 33" (84cm)
Seat height 16" (41cm)
Seat depth 23" (59cm)
Set width 53" (135cm)