Q: What does Period furniture mean?

09/06/2005

Answer: The term period refers to the time period when a piece of furniture was originally designed and manufactured. Certain periods of furniture were affected by changing lifestyles and tastes. More fashionable styles were introduced with the introduction of new technologies and/or aesthetic innovations.

Usually periods are defined by the reigns of Kings, Queens and/or political preference in each country. In England periods include Queen Anne, George I, II, and III, Regency and so on. In France, periods are defined by the reigns of Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI, Directoire, Consulat and Empire, etc.

The George III period in England was affected by the designs introduced by Chippendale, Hepplewhite, The Adams Brothers, Sheraton and more. Certain periods saw many changes in design as a result of the influence of many dynamic designers of that time.

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