Empire Federal Style Furniture

Walnut victorian sofa circa 1865.

Empire federal style furniture.

Supporting columns on the corners of dressers and glass in place of raised panels were also hallmarks of this period. A french émigré charles honoré lannuier was one of the first cabinetmakers to introduce the style to america. After 1820 and is considered the second more robust phase of the neoclassical style which earlier had been expressed in the adam style in britain and louis seize or louis xvi in france. American empire 1800 to 1840 the american empire period took more influence from the french than the english with a greater emphasis on curved arms cabriole legs and ornate paw or claw feet.

Before this new style american furniture was highly inspired by british trends which encouraged light thin and elegant forms. The federal period continued in furniture manufacturing through the 1820s although the empire style was also gaining popularity at that time. American empire is a french inspired neoclassical style of american furniture and decoration that takes its name and originates from the empire style introduced during the first french empire period under napoleon s rule. Antique american federal mahogany empire style sofa circa 1820.

Antique sofa a victorian mahogany. In america empire furnishings with their undulating scrolls balancing heavy geometric shapes complemented the greek revival architecture of the period 1820 1860 the unofficial national style. Make offer chesterfield sofa tufted leather red couch by smith brothers furniture oxblood. Those originals are hard to come by but there was a major revival of the duncan phyfe style in the 1930s making these pieces plentiful for those who admire the style.

By contrast the american empire style was bulky and large but not.