Federal Furniture
Categories:: August 2008 #170 • Popular Woodworking Magazine Article Index | | Tags: Article Index • August 2008 • Rob Millard
Article Index | Feb 02, 2011 | Comments 0
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Years ago I discovered Federal furniture and knew that with beautiful veneer, superb inlay and simple carving, this would be my furniture period of choice.
By Rob Millard
Pages: 57-61
From the August 2008 issue #170
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Federal furniture has much to offer woodworkers. In addition to the traditional joinery, there is veneering, inlay (stringing, banding as well as pictorial), reeding, curved work and some carving. Initially it was the rigid symmetry that drew me to the style – followed closely by the lavish use of highly figured woods. (What woodworker doesn’t appreciate beautiful wood?)
Of course, the defining features of Federal furniture are the veneers and inlays. Veneers had been a feature of William & Mary furniture, and a limited amount of veneer and inlay work occurred during the Queen Anne and Chippendale periods, but nothing like on the scale seen during the Federal period (1785 – 1810).
From the August 2008 issue #170
Buy this issue now
