The "New" Concise History is under construction here. Please bear with us as we improve our educational sections.

A Concise History of American Period Furniture
By Stanley D. Saperstein

The "New" Concise History is under construction here. Please bear with us as we improve our educational sections.

A Concise History of American Period Furniture
By Stanley D. Saperstein

Hepplewhite

Jacobean | William & Mary | Queen Anne | Georgian | Chippendale | Hepplewhite | Adam | Sheraton | Federal | Victorian | Country | Gothic | Arts & Crafts

Hepplewhite, 1750-1786

George Hepplewhite was a practical cabinetmaker who produced a simplified version of Louis XVI furniture.

Characteristics: Lines and proportions are graceful, refined, and slender, though sturdy. Chairs, settees, and other pieces are all built on a smaller scale than heretofore produced. Almost all his furniture had slender, fluted legs with spade feet. The graceful curve predominated, especially on chair backs.

Dainty carving is sparingly used, consisting mostly of classical motifs, wheatears, ferns, husks, urns, rosettes, and Prince of Wales feathers, which he introduced. Mahogany is the favored wood, with some satin-wood birch and sycamore. Upholstery used was striped damask, silk, stain, and red and blue morocco with horsehair stuffing.

Hepplewhite's favorite pieces were for the dining room. He popularized the sideboard, and the urns carved on all legs can always identify a Hepplewhite sideboard. His chairs featured open shield backs and had a very delicate appearance.

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