American woodworking styles have been through a number of periods, and each was heavily influenced by the available materials of the region as well as the pieces being built by English and French craftsmen. There are 12 predominant periods of American furniture styles, although many have sub-genres which may have been popular but short-lived. Many of these periods overlap and took on regional significance, but below are the primary 12. Understanding these periods is important to the modern woodworker because it allows one to design furniture that fit within a particular genre and build heirloom pieces that follow traditional techniques.
Early American (1640 to 1700)
The Early American period was really the first period where a distinct style began to appear within furniture pieces in the colonies that went beyond mere practicality. Ornamental carvings, finials, raised panels and woodturnings were hallmarks of this period. Most joinery was of the mortise and tenon variety, with pine, cherry, birch, maple, oak and fruit woods such as apple comprising the majority of the hardwoods and softwoods used for these pieces.
Colonial (1700 to 1780)
The Colonial period was heavily influenced by pieces from England during this time (including William and Mary, Queen Anne, and Chippendale), although the American versions tended to be far less ornamental and more conservative. Finishes were often oil varnish, paint or wax over a stain. The dovetail joint began to make an appearance along with the mortise and tenon joint as a carryover from the Early American period. Mahogany, elm, and walnut were also more predominantly used in this period.
Pennsylvania Dutch (1720 to 1830)
The Pennsylvania Dutch period was marked by heavy German influences. The pieces were simple and utilitarian, with the predominant decoration colorful hand-painted scenes. The furniture from this period features straight lines, simple turnings, and tapered legs made from walnut, oak, and pine.
Federal (1780 to 1820)
The Federal Period introduced a variety of ornamental stylings such as fluting, inlays of contrasting woods to create shapes and designs, and banding with contrasting veneers as decorative borders. The pieces of this period exhibited a graceful elegance with heavy French and English influence. Hardware was typically brass in a variety of shapes found in nature.
Sheraton (1780 to 1820)
The Sheraton Period was the most widely-reproduced style of the early 1800s. Named after English designer Thomas Sheraton, the period featured relied heavily on veneers and rich upholstery. Carvings were generally conservative, with intricate brass hardware catching the eye. Dovetail joints were a hallmark of this period.
American Empire (1800 to 1840)
The American Empire period took more influence from the French than the English, with a greater emphasis on curved arms, cabriole legs, and ornate, paw or claw feet. Supporting columns on the corners of dressers and glass in place of raised panels were also hallmarks of this period.
Shaker (1820 to 1860)
The Shaker period was named after a religious movement of the period, and the furniture influence was simple and utilitarian. The appearance was primarily straight lines, woven or cane seat material, basic turned wooden knobs, and visible locking joinery.
Victorian (1840 to 1910)
The Victorian period, named after England’s Queen Victoria, served as a very sharp contrast to the Shaker period. Victorian furniture is formal, elaborate and opulent. The upholstery of this period matched the ornate stylings of the wood, with needlepoint and tapestry adorning many of the most intricate pieces. Black walnut, oak, maple, and ash were common building materials of the time with rosewood inlays for contrast.
Arts and Craft/Mission (1880 to1920)
The Arts and Craft period symbolized another minimalist period in furniture design. Leather was a common upholstery covering of the period, likely more for practical than design reasons. Lacquer, shellac, and wax were common finishes on the wide variety of woods used during this period.
Art Nouveau (1890 to 1910)
The Art Nouveau period borrowed from a number of previous periods, with elaborate ornamental carvings and veneer inlays offset by brass and chrome hardware. Upholstery in this period was from a variety of opulent fabrics, including velvet, tapestries, leather, and linen.
Traditional Revival (1920 to 1950)
The Traditional Revival period marked a revival of earlier periods, primarily the Colonial and Federal periods, brought back by popular demand. This period relied on intricate inlays and veneers along with shapely turnings to decorate what were primarily straight lines.
Modern and Post-Modern (1950 to Present)
The Modern and Post-Modern periods were a stark departure from the English and French influence and the periods of the past centuries. Instead, this period relied heavily on Asian and African influences. This period introduced furniture built from a number of mass-produced materials such as molded plywood, metals, and plastics.
