Queen Anne Period, 1689-1727

The Dutch influence in art in England dates from the time that William of Orange and his wife Mary were crowned King and Queen of England. During the first part of their reign much of England's furniture was imported from the Netherlands. The demand for the style grew so rapidly that by the time Anne became Queen, it had become universal and is distinguished by the title of Queen Anne style, although the name bears no relation to its invention. The decorative peculiarities are remarkable for its plain surfaces, ornate contour and rounded detail. The legs of the cabinets, tables and chairs are of the cabriole type, terminating in a camel foot motif. The fiddle-back chairs, as well as the chest of drawers called a "highboy," belong to this period.

The combined qualities of grace and quaintness make this an individual and different type from all previous periods.

Its birth records the decline of oak, and the advent of walnut, the use of which became universal in England in the early part of the eighteenth century. Mahogany, also, was introduced about this time, or in 1710.

Chippendale Period, 1754-1812

Thomas Chippendale was a master cabinet-maker of St. Martin's Lane in London, and his style was derived from Louis XV and early Dutch models. The use of mahogany had become universal in England by this time, and he executed most of his work in that wood.

The "ribband" hack chair is regarded as his Pest work. His chairs are gracefully made, with a wide top, which tapers to the waist; the hacks tip backward slightly from the seats, which are always wider in front than at the back. "C" scrolls and ribbon backs, combined with slats and curves in pierced and open carvings, are used. Chair legs are formed in cabriole shape, enriched with ornament, but the back legs of chairs are straight and tapering.

Chippendale surpassed the French in the handling of their motifs, could design Queen Anne furniture better than the Dutch, and became famous for his wonderful assimilation of Chinese detail, with classical contour, creating and perfecting the style known as Chinese Chippendale. He published the book which brought him fame in the year 1754.

Hepplewhite Period, 1754-1812

George Hepple-white, of the noted English firm of cabinet-makers, Hepplewhite & Co., in 1789 brought out his "Cabinetmaker and Upholsters' Guide." He was greatly influenced by the beautiful, simple classic art of Adam Brothers, and also by the classic arts revived by the excavations of the long-buried Roman cities. He visited Pompeii a few years after the discovery of its ruins in 1748.

Hepplewhite also used, in a modified form, ideas of the Louis XVI period. He produced a set of chairs for King George IV, when that monarch was Prince of Wales, which gave Hepplewhite & Co. great prestige.

The productions of Hepplewhite and Sheraton are very similar, and difficult to differentiate.

The shield or the heart-shaped chair backs, were his particular marks. The royal plume within the shield back or crowning tops of pieces was Hepple-white's original mark, and often the chair backs were carved in imitation of festoon or drapery. The Hepplewhite legs were usually tapering squares and often spade-footed. The arm chairs had arms which swept forward and downward, but not forming a continuous upright from the floor. He made sofas longer than before known, and he placed four legs along the front length. He developed sideboards, and invariably curved the front surface inward.