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

Graceful and Refined – Elegant appearance.(Federal style shown)

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Chair Arms

Slopes to front posts – Arms slope down to meet posts from the seat.

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Chair Back Material

	Upholstered – Cushioned and fabric covered.
	Wood – Solid wood, horizontal slats, vertical slats, or vertical splats.

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Chair Back Shape

	Fiddleback – Fiddle-shaped central splat.
	Rectangular or Square – Rectilinear design with a solid or central splat.

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Chair Leg

	Reeded – Rounded decorative grooved or molding.
	Round – Round, usually shaped or turned leg.
	Simple turning – turned leg with a few types of turnings.
	Square – Flat surfaced leg on all sides.
	Straight – Straight leg, vertical to chair seat.
	Tapered – Straight leg gradually decreasing in width.

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Chair Seat Material

	Rush – Woven rush.
	Upholstered – Cushioned and covered with fabric.
	Wood – Various types of wood.

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Chair Seat Shape

	Horseshoe – Horseshoe shaped seat with a rounded front.
	Square – Square shaped seat.

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Drawer Pull

	Brass Knob – Mushroom-shaped brass knob.
	Loop Handle – Bail handle without a back plate, 3.5 to 4.5 inches wide.
	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.
	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.

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Fabric

	Damask – Medium weight, glossy fabric with a reversible pattern and a figured intricate weave, often of linen, cotton, silk, or wool.
	Tapestry – Heavy weight fabric with decorative designs.

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Finish

	Gilding – Gold leaf.
	Oil Varnish – Clear finish that emphasized the grain of the wood.
	Paint – Opaque, pigmented finish that obscures the grain of the wood.

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Foot

	Continuation of leg – Leg does not terminate into a foot.
	French – Straight and slender bracket foot, usually used with case furniture.

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Hardware Material

Brass – Yellowish metal made from copper and zinc.

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Joint

Dovetail – An interlocking wood joint in which a series of wedge-shaped projections fits into a series of alternating grooves.

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Line

Slight Curve – Gently curving lines.

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Motif

	Acanthus leaf – Conventionalized leaf.
	Conch Shell – Spiral-shaped shell.
	Eagle – National emblem of the United States.
	Pineapple – Oval-shaped tropical fruit.
	Shell – Fan-shaped shell.
	Star – Figure having five or six symmetrically projecting points.

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Ornamentation

	Banding – Thin strips of contrasting veneer used as a decorative border or edging.
	Carving – Cutting or chipping the surface of wood to create a shape or design.
	Fluting – Carved or molded vertical channels.
	Inlay – Contrasting material set into the surface of wood to create a shape or design.
	Marquetry – Combinations of veneer used to create pictures or patterns.
	Reeding – Parallel lines of rounded molding.
	Stenciling – Painting through a template to create a shape or design on the underlying wood surface.

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Proportion

Medium – Moderate dimensions.(Queen Anne style shown)

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Underbracing

Limited Use – Limited use of stretchers.(Queen Anne style shown)

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Wood

	Black Walnut – Dark brown American hardwood with a wide range of figures.
	Cherry – Red-brown American hardwood.
	Fruitwood – Pink-brown American hardwood, including apple and pear.
	Maple – Golden to Red-brown American hardwood with a wide range of figures.
	Rosewood Veneer – Purple-brown South American hardwood with black streaks that can be highly polished.
	Satinwood Veneer – Light yellow to golden brown Indian hardwood that is highly figured, has a close grain, and can be highly polished.

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