Classic Hardwood

In America, the furniture of the 17th century was plain, rugged and home-made. The design followed the Elizabethan and Jacobean styles of the English furniture with which the Colonists were familiar before going to America. However, it still has a distinctive character of its own.

Specific types of furniture that fitted the needs of the Colonists became very popular and were often reproduced.

In New York the Dutch furniture styles were very influential. Oak, pine, maple, cherry, and other local woods were used. They were fitted with mortise and tenon joints or dovetail joints, and wooden pegs. There were no screws for use in those days, and glue was seldom used. They decorated the furniture using various forms of simple carving.

All sorts of furniture was built using wood. Some of this wooden furniture was stained, but there was also a fashion for black and red furniture.

By the 18th century, some of the American cabinet-makers were approaching the quality of the English (who, at the time, were considered to be some of the best in the world).

John Goddard, Aaron Chapin and William Savery, are just some of the cabinet makers that stand out. Their work in the Chippendale style has never been bettered by cabinet-makers anywhere in the world. These craftsmen, amongst others, kept the standard of American furniture very high to the end of the century. The American Eagle inlaid on various kinds of furniture was an important feature in decoration at this period, showing the typical American patriotism that survives to this day.