While the Rococo Period was mainly in Europe the Rococo Revival Period was mainly centered in America. Grandeur would be the single word to describe the revival which hit in several revivals through the 19th century. John Henry Belter is the maker most recognized during this period such that his name became synonymous with the period.

Rosewood was imported from Brazil and East India and used extensively. Many pieces did not survive due to the fragile characteristics of Rosewood. ”As a result, Belter patented a process for making laminated furniture. Laminated wood consisted of a number of veneer sheets bound together with hot glue. The bounded sheets were then bent under steam pressure, pressed into molds, and then carved. The process produced stronger pieces of furniture that was less costly than traditional carving and allowed for mass production.”https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rococo_Revival This allowed for intricate but lighter “carvings” which were steamed in molds rather than carved. This is the beginning of industrialization in furniture making.

Some refer to this as the Naturalist style as the technology advances allowed for finer details and more extensive carving in natural forms such as fruits, leaves, and flowers. The timeframe for the Naturalist style is 1850-1914 – slightly longer than the Rococo Revival normally sighted.

Design Elements

• Laminated wood especially veneers where layered in contrasting colors and hand carved
• Tufted upholstery
• Medium to large in scale
• Symmetry
• Scrolls and C & S shaped curves
• Nature motifs
• Curved and carved cabriole legs on casters
• Gold gilding
• White painted items
• Marble tabletops

Examples

Here are a few examples of Rococo Revival Period furniture.   Click on any image to zoom in.

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Bibliography

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rococo_Revival
• https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/revi/hd_revi.htm

Studio Furniture is defined as one-of-a-kind or limited production of furniture objects designed and built by craftspeople. Its beginnings can be traced to the Arts and Crafts Period at the beginning of the industrialization of furniture making. The design process is as important as the execution of the piece.

Notable Makers include Peter Maynard, who builds furniture in the Arts and Crafts revival style; Chris Bowman is an art furniture maker with a bent toward the whimsical; James Probst builds custom furniture in West Virginia, and many others.

Design Element

• Ergonomic considerations
• Creative expression
• Incorporation of the subtleties and variations of the materials used

Examples

Here are a few examples of Post Modern/Studio furniture.   Click on any image to zoom in.

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 Bibliography

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Studio_furniture
• https://fullercraft.org/made-in-massachusetts-studio-furniture-of-the-bay-state/
• https://www.finewoodworking.com/2006/04/10/a-society-dedicated-to-furniture

Manufacturing allowed for single unit furniture – such as a table with top, pedestal, and base all formed as a unit.

Notable makers include Charles and Ray Eames, Milo Baughman, Robert Broward, and Max Gottschalk.

Design Element

• Incorporates plastic, aluminum, and molded laminated products
• Simple and clean lines
• Honest use of materials,
• Generally devoid of decorative elements
• Scandinavian design elements of simplicity, democratic design (seen as unpretentious and affordable), and natural shapes were commonly incorporated

Examples

Here are a few examples of Mid-Century Modern furniture.   Click on any image to zoom in.

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 Bibliography

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid-century_modern