How to recognise classic furniture styles

We often hear about Chippendale, Art Deco or Roccoco style furniture, but few can recognise the elements of that style. If the furniture is old, things are even more complicated, and sometimes it's hard to tell the difference between original and copied furniture. Designs created by famous designers of the past have gone down in furniture history and have been remade over the years by modern makers of style furniture (as it is usually called). Knowing a few specific elements might help to identify the style, without claiming to be a great connoisseur.

Perhaps the most popular name for furniture style is Chippendale. The name comes from Thomas Chippendale, an 18th century furniture maker who published the first book of furniture designs (1754). The book created a style and the designs shown in the book were copied by other manufacturers.

Characteristic elements of the style are Gothic arches, Chinese tracery lace, columns, capitals, C or S-shaped scrolls, ribbons, flowers, leaves, shells and acanthus leaves. Most easily identified are the legs of chairs or tables whose legs are thin and delicate, with a knee-like curve at the top (cabriole). They rest on simple paws or paws that hold a ball in their claws.

Another quite well-known style is Biedermeier. It appeared at the beginning of the 19th century and was characteristic of the newly emerged bourgeoisie. The name comes from a caricature - Papa Bidermeier - who portrayed the comfort of the middle class. The style is simple and elegant, with simple geometry, no frills, metal ornaments or other elements without utility. The emphasis is more on utility and less on presentation. However, with modern furniture, there are also slightly curved lines and simple decorations with fantastic elements as stylised as possible.

Style Baroqueis specific to its rich decorations and grandiose forms. The name comes from Portuguese and means natural, unpolished pearl (baroque). It appeared in Italy at the end of the 16th century and was strongly supported by the Catholic Church as a reaction against Protestantism. It is characterised by the presence of intricate and elaborate decorations, sometimes exaggerated, in the form of flowers, leaves, heraldic signs, nymphs, cherubs, angels, caryatids, shepherds.

The wood is often coated with gold leaf or painted gold or bronze. The legs of chairs, tables or consoles are curved, sometimes finished with lion's paws. Modern pieces have a rounded design and are painted metallic, especially gold, silver and bronze. Jewellery or semi-precious stones are sometimes used as fittings.

Style Neogoticappeared in the 19th century, but has its roots in the style of 12th-century Gothic cathedrals. Neo-Gothic furniture is heavy, complicated, with pointed arches like Gothic cathedral windows and heavy carvings. The legs of the tables and chairs are straight, the roundness disappears. Window arches and cathedral towers are reflected in the design of chairs, beds, cupboards and tables.

The decorations specific to the style are leaves, bows, rosettes, gargoyles, real or imaginary animals. There are elements such as a broken embroidery in the shape of a clover, a four-petalled flower or a shape with five arches. Specific is also the bell with three or four petals and hollow centre. It is a heavy and not very comfortable style, often reminiscent of church furniture.

Rococo, or late baroque, is a reaction against the symmetry and rigor of the baroque style that appeared in 18th century France. The name is a combination of the French words stone and shell. Rococo furniture is less oppressive, comfortable and versatile. That's when the armchair (fr.fauteuil) or sofa for conversations appeared.

Removable cushions, a higher backrest to support the head and cushioned arms have also been introduced for comfort. The main feature of the style is the asymmetry that creates an imbalance within the object, an effect called contrast. Another feature is the domed, rounded furniture. The decorations used are acanthus leaves, shells, flowers, cherubs, C- or S-shaped contours, scrolls, water drops, symbols. The furniture is patinated with lots of gold and bronze.

Art Nouveau is characteristic of the late 19th and early 20th century. The name is "borrowed" from that of a gallery opened in Paris in 1895. The style has prominent representatives in all the arts: Antonio Gaudi in sculpture and architecture, Louis Comfort Tiffany - glass decoration, Rene Lalique manufacturer of jewellery and glassware, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, architect and designer, Louis Majorelle, furniture manufacturer.

Art Nouveau is the style of delicate, round, elongated lines, taken from nature. The general impression is that there are no straight lines. On the surface of the furniture objects there are representations of flowers, vine tendrils, roots, tree trunks and branches, leaves, feathers, dragonfly wings, buds, all represented as close to reality as possible.

Art Deco appeared basically as a continuation of Art Nouveau and as a reaction after the First World War, being considered a revival. The peak periods are considered the 1920s and 1930s. Everything reflects an optimistic attitude, with bright colours and playful motifs being used.

It is a piece of furniture that appears in the modern period, so in addition to wood, materials such as steel or plastic are also found in its composition. The furniture is bright and elegant, with prominent lines, often with wood or ivory inlays. Wood is often combined with stainless steel, painted glass, chrome or moulded plastic. Motifs such as animals, stars, the sun and coats of arms are common. The colours are bright, the patterns opulent, in a word there is an evident lust for life.

There are many other styles in furniture, but these are the most common. Elements from several styles often intertwine in modern furniture, creating a new, less defined style. The important thing is that this blending is done in such a way that it does not offend good taste and that the design is pleasing and 'wearable'. Also, many of the elements are common to several styles, so if we don't know them very well, it's best to avoid putting labels on them and if we need to know exactly, to ask a connoisseur.