Furniture Style was dictated by the ruling monarch of the country and the conditions of the era and availability of construction materials and tools to work with. In English history ,it invoves the following styles of Furniture, Tudor Gothic, Elizabethan, Restoration, William & Mary, and Victorian as well as French Period Furniture of Louis 14th, Louis 15th and Louis 16th periods.
Tudor
The Tudor period is generally accepted as the reign of Henry VIII through the reign of Elizabeth I of England. Tudor furniture was typically massive, heavily carved, and influenced by Italian Renaissance furniture. The foregoing Gothic style contributed its straight lines to this period as well.
Gothic
The style period between 12th and 16th century is known as Gothic. This style derived from Roman architecture and was seen in France by the middle of the 12th century. It is characterized by the use of highly decorative panels and the use of indigenous woods. It was revived in England around 1740 and known as “Gothick.” North Americans began to make their own versions in the mid 1800’s.
William and Mary
An American style popular in the American colonies during the late 1600’s. Walnut and maple became the material of choice and veneering was introduced for highly figured, naturally decorative wood. Hinged lids were placed on desk boxes on stands, and on chests of drawers, producing the secretary we are familiar with today.
Windsor
The term Windsor refers to a chair style dating from the 18th century. Use of local woods is characteristic of Windsor chairs, which are available in regionally variant forms. Saddle-shaped seats and spindle backs are common.
Victorian
Victorian refers to a time period rather than a particular style. The Victorian period fell between 1837 through 1901. The industrial revolution allowed for the mass production of furniture and styles from earlier periods were drawn upon. Heavy ornamentation is a hallmark of the Victorian period. The round ottoman, balloon back chair, and single end sofa were all developed during this period. Victorian can be further subdivided into Victorian-American and Victorian-English.
Louis XV
The period from 1715 to 1774, also known as the Regence, marked a shift from the weighty character of earlier rococo styles to embrace a more light-hearted, somewhat simpler feel. Carvings and marquetry were simplified and contributed more to the overall motif of the piece than in the prior period.