The Federal style combines the neoclassic furniture style characteristics of Hepplewhite and Sheraton. It is characterized by graceful straight lines, light construction, tapered legs, inlay, and contrasting veneers.
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Appearance
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Graceful and Refined – Elegant appearance.(Federal style shown) |
Chair Arms
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Slopes to front posts – Arms slope down to meet posts from the seat. |
Chair Back Material
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Upholstered – Cushioned and fabric covered. |
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Wood – Solid wood, horizontal slats, vertical slats, or vertical splats. |
Chair Back Shape
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Fiddleback – Fiddle-shaped central splat. |
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Rectangular or Square – Rectilinear design with a solid or central splat. |
Chair Leg
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Reeded – Rounded decorative grooved or molding. |
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Round – Round, usually shaped or turned leg. |
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Simple turning – turned leg with a few types of turnings. |
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Square – Flat surfaced leg on all sides. |
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Straight – Straight leg, vertical to chair seat. |
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Tapered – Straight leg gradually decreasing in width. |
Chair Seat Material
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Rush – Woven rush. |
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Upholstered – Cushioned and covered with fabric. |
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Wood – Various types of wood. |
Chair Seat Shape
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Horseshoe – Horseshoe shaped seat with a rounded front. |
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Square – Square shaped seat. |
Drawer Pull
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Brass Knob – Mushroom-shaped brass knob. |
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Loop Handle – Bail handle without a back plate, 3.5 to 4.5 inches wide. |
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Oval Stamped Brass Back Plate with Bail – Oval back plate of stamped brass with conforming handle. The size varies from 3 to 4 inches wide by 2 to 2.5 inches high. |
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Rectangular Plate with Bail – Rectangular back plate of solid stamped brass, often with canted corners and an oval bail handle. The size varies from 3 to 4 inches wide to 2 to 2.5 inches high. |
Fabric
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Damask – Medium weight, glossy fabric with a reversible pattern and a figured intricate weave, often of linen, cotton, silk, or wool. |
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Tapestry – Heavy weight fabric with decorative designs. |
Finish
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Gilding – Gold leaf. |
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Oil Varnish – Clear finish that emphasized the grain of the wood. |
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Paint – Opaque, pigmented finish that obscures the grain of the wood. |
Foot
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Continuation of leg – Leg does not terminate into a foot. |
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French – Straight and slender bracket foot, usually used with case furniture. |
Hardware Material
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Brass – Yellowish metal made from copper and zinc. |
Joint
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Dovetail – An interlocking wood joint in which a series of wedge-shaped projections fits into a series of alternating grooves. |
Line
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Slight Curve – Gently curving lines. |
Motif
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Acanthus leaf – Conventionalized leaf. |
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Conch Shell – Spiral-shaped shell. |
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Eagle – National emblem of the United States. |
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Pineapple – Oval-shaped tropical fruit. |
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Shell – Fan-shaped shell. |
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Star – Figure having five or six symmetrically projecting points. |
Ornamentation
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Banding – Thin strips of contrasting veneer used as a decorative border or edging. |
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Carving – Cutting or chipping the surface of wood to create a shape or design. |
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Fluting – Carved or molded vertical channels. |
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Inlay – Contrasting material set into the surface of wood to create a shape or design. |
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Marquetry – Combinations of veneer used to create pictures or patterns. |
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Reeding – Parallel lines of rounded molding. |
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Stenciling – Painting through a template to create a shape or design on the underlying wood surface. |
Proportion
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Medium – Moderate dimensions.(Queen Anne style shown) |
Underbracing
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Limited Use – Limited use of stretchers.(Queen Anne style shown) |
Wood
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Black Walnut – Dark brown American hardwood with a wide range of figures. |
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Cherry – Red-brown American hardwood. |
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Fruitwood – Pink-brown American hardwood, including apple and pear. |
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Maple – Golden to Red-brown American hardwood with a wide range of figures. |
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Rosewood Veneer – Purple-brown South American hardwood with black streaks that can be highly polished. |
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Satinwood Veneer – Light yellow to golden brown Indian hardwood that is highly figured, has a close grain, and can be highly polished. |