Tags
Aesthetic movement, Aesthetism, American, American Craftsman, Anglo-Japanese, antique, antique periods, antiques, arts and crafts, carved wood, carving, custom furniture, Décor, Elizabethan, English Rococ, furniture, furniture history, Gothic, imported furniture, imports, interior design, mbw furniture, Neoclassical, revival, Rococo, Tudor, Victorian
Victorian Cream Telephone Chaise Bench
Even though there was not a single dominant style of furniture during the Victorian era, there was a commonality amongst interior designers: ornamentation. Artisans, cabinetmakers, and designers drew inspiration from various iconic and historical periods including Gothic, Tudor, Elizabethan, English Rococo, and Neoclassical revivals. Gothic and Rococo were among the most popular during the period. MBW Furniture offers a wide variety of Victorian décor and furniture.
The Arts and Crafts and Aesthetic movements as well as Anglo-Japanese and Art Nouveau styles have their origins in the Victorian era. Historians refer to this group collectively as Victorian decorative arts because of the excessive ornamentation, eclectic reinterpretations of history, and emerging foreign influences of eastern cultures like those of the Middle East and Asia. The curio cabinet also became a popular item as British ships commonly returned from exotic adventures with new collectible treasures.
The Victorian period is known for its modesty, privacy, and orderliness. Table and chair legs were covered as some thought they were reminiscent of nude human legs. The ideal home was carefully divided into public and private spaces. One of the most important rooms for any Victorian house was the parlor, where the hosts received all guests. This interior showcase usually contained games and collectables to be enjoyed by company. In Victorian popular opinion, heavy ornamentation was important to a well-designed space, so a bare room was considered a faux pa. For this reason, Victorian rooms required many spaces, shelves, and cabinets for objets d’art and knickknacks.
Red Arm Chair Brass Candlesticks Mahogany Sideboard Cameo Chaise
Victorian Construction & Style:
Furniture Legs & Feet: Elaborate turning, restrained cabriole, and round legs; whorl, continuation of leg to floor (no foot), as well as Claw-and-Ball feet
Wood: Oak, Maple, Butternut, Ash, Black Walnut, and Rosewood Veneer
Fabric & Finish: Braid, Hair Cloth, Plush, Tapestry, Velour, Velvet, and Needlepoint fabrics; Gilding (gold leaf) and Oil Varnish
Common Motifs & Ornamentation Styles: Foliage and Scrolls; Carving, Spindle, Inlay, and Carving