About Antique Furniture Manufacturers

The oldest of the antique furniture manufacturers had to make everything by hand. There were no assembly lines, no machines to turn out piece after piece. They used a hammer and chisel like an artist uses a paint brush. You can see their work in some of the most famous museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan and the Smithsonian in Washington D.C.

Types

Thomas Chippendale was born in Yorkshire and had factories in Philadelphia and Germany as well. He was in business in the latter part of the 18th century. Chippendale did not use veneers, just solid wood like mahogany. His most famous feature is the ball and claw foot.
George Hepplewhite was born in 1760 and died in 1786, yet he is considered to be one of the most innovative furniture manufacturers of his time. He is most known for the design of his chair back. He incorporated many different designs such as shields, ovals, interlaced hearts, ladders, and wheels.
Gilbert Rohde was an American Art Deco furniture maker. He was famous for his modular style and the use of the most exotic woods as well as glass, mirrors and metal. His designs were exhibited at the 1938-9 New York' World Fair.

Features

Back in the early days, you could not get a copyright on a furniture design in the United States. Manufacturers, such as Chippendale, had many imitators. It was an accepted process, so much so that the designers published books featuring their styles, making it easy for others to copy them. However, manufacturers put personal marks on their pieces and that is the best way to identify the original.

Geography

Geography played a part in how the older designers made their pieces. For instance, Chippendale had factories in both London and Philadelphia. While the designs were basically the same, the materials were not. Importing mahogany import to the New World was expensive, so the craftsmen used native woods. Geography played a part in the development of Gilbert Rohde's style as well. He was introduced to the modernistic or Art Deco design on a trip to Paris.

Effects

Each one of these designers and manufacturers of antique furniture set the standard for his time. Their work had lasting impact on the entire furniture industry. Even today, furniture manufactures are making pieces in the Chippendale style and the styles of other early manufacturers as well.

Considerations

Art Deco is one of the youngest of the antique periods. A good variety of pieces are available in reasonable price ranges. Art deco also blends well with more modern style furniture. This make is a good prospect for a beginning collector.

Resources

• Art Deco Items
• Chippendale Information