Furniture at Johns Hopkins House 6

As the Hopkins family evolved during the nineteenth century, their furniture purchases may also have changed evolved. There are three overlapping styles of furniture that may have purchased-Federal (1780 to 1820), Sheraton (1780 to 1820), and American Empire (1800 to 1840).

The Federal Period introduced a variety of ornamental stylings such as fluting, inlays of contrasting woods to create shapes and designs, and banding with contrasting veneers as decorative borders. The pieces of this period exhibited a graceful elegance with heavy French and English influence. Hardware was typically brass in a variety of shapes found in nature. This is a personal favorite of mine. I love federal architecture and federal style furniture.

The Sheraton Period was the most widely-reproduced style of the early 1800s. Named after English designer Thomas Sheraton, the period relied heavily on veneers and rich upholstery. Carvings were generally conservative, with intricate brass hardware catching the eye. Dovetail joints were a hallmark of this period.

The American Empire period took more influence from the French than the English, with a greater emphasis on curved arms, cabriole legs, and ornate, paw or claw feet. Supporting columns on the corners of dressers and glass in place of raised panels were also hallmarks of this period.

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