File:American homes and gardens (1911) (18127997956).jpg

Title: American homes and gardens
Identifier: americanhomesgar81911newy (find matches)
Year: 1905 (1900s)
Authors:
Subjects: Architecture, Domestic; Landscape gardening
Publisher: New York : Munn and Co
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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Fist. 7—A tea-kett!e stand Pig. 8—A Sheraton chair Fig. 9—A Sheraton chair 'ig- 1 0—A Sheraton leather chair directions for his elaborate draperies for beds. Pier glasses, mirrors and girandoles were carved in a great variety of designs. Many indications of the approaching Sheraton style appear among his models. In all probability Thomas Sheraton, a journeyman cabinet-maker, who settled in London about 1790, made even less furniture than Chippendale. From the time he arrived in London until his death in 1806 he seems to have devoted all his time to writing practical books on furniture and issuing designs. It is interesting, too, to notice that he claimed very few of the models. He says that his Cabinet- Maker and Upholsterer's Drawing-Book is "intended to ex- hibit the present taste of furniture and at the same time to give the workman some assistance in the manufacture of it." Moreover, he continues: "I have made it my business to apply to the best workmen in different shops to obtain their assistance in the explanation of such pieces as they have been most acquainted with. And, in general, my re- quest has been complied with, from the generous motive of making the book as generally useful as possible." Thus, the most fashionable furniture of the day appears in Sheraton's books. In his early publications the designs are chiefly in the Louis XVI style, while in his Cabinet Dic- tionary, published in 1803 and Cabinet-Maker, Upholsterer and General Artist's Encyclopaedia, published in 1804-06, the Empire style appears in full glory. He is particularly fond of carving and gives many grace- ful designs and motives for the splats and banisters of chairs and the posts of beds. He is also extremely fond of inlaid furniture and painted furniture and liked the new fashion of inlaying with brass. Satinwood he greatly ad- mired, especially of a fine straw color, and thought zebra wood and tulip wood beautiful for cross-banding. His drawing-room furniture was of white and gold, painted and japanned, of satinwood or of rosewood. Mahogany he used only for dining-room, bedroom and library furniture and for chairs with carved and open backs. A typical chair of Sheraton's early period appears in Fig. 8. Here we have one of his favorite square backs, the two central posts forming a round arch, the square top of which rises above the top rail of the chair. The slender, delicate and elegant urn of the Louis XVI period is surmounted by three feathers, and is carved with graceful drapery in low relief. A chair of a later period appears in Fig. 9. Here we see the square lattice-work back, the reeded legs and the twisted stumps that support the arms. The patera, or rosette, hides the joining of the side posts and back and the legs in the front. Diagonal stretchers connect the legs. Of still later period is the chair Fig. 10. This is much in the style of what he calls the Herculaneum, intended for rooms fitted up in the antique taste." He also recommends them for music-rooms.
Text Appearing After Image:
Fig. 1 1—A shield-back chair sold for $330 Fig. 12—A dining table sold for $600

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