Georgian furniture is known for elegance, simplicty and lack of ornamentation. Mahogany, a tropical hardwood, was widely available during the Georgian period. It is a durable wood, with straight grain and rich color.

Beautifully designed tea or silver tables came into use in the late 18th and 19th centuries as the wealthy British invited guests to parkate of tea in their residences.  Everything needed for a proper tea was on display on these ornamental tables, and most of the wares were made of silver - hence the names tea or silver tables.

tea

Thomas Chippendale (1755 – 1790) was an 18th century English cabinetmaker, furniture designer and publisher active in London.  He is considered one of the most important figures in the history of furniture design.  In 1754, he published “The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker’s Director”.  This was a large, oversized beautifully detailed catalog/book consisting of engraved plates of his designs, ranging from fire screens to large case pieces.  It was an extraordinary success and was used by many cabinet and furniture makers as a reference tool to create their own designs.

Chippendale furniture is of solid construction combined with light and grace.  The style is a fusion of design elements including traditional English and French, while borrowing from the Gothic and Chinese.  Mahogany and walnut were preferred wood choices, and furniture often exhibited intricate carving and inlaid marquetry.  At the time of Chippendale’s life, his furniture was very popular with the wealthy and sought after by the elite of his time.  His influence on classic fine furniture design is singular and Chippendale pieces are still highly prized and sought after by enthusiasts and collectors today.