The Victorian style draws its influence from gothic forms with heavy proportions, dark finish, elaborate carving, and ornamentation. It is named for Queen Victoria of England who reigned from 1837-1901 and was the first furniture style of mass production.
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Appearance
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Formal – Elaborately detailed, somber appearance.(Victorian style shown) |
Chair Arms
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Curved – Arms curved outward. |
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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Balloon – Balloon-shaped chair back, rounded at the top and tapering to the seat. |
Chair Leg
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Elaborate turning – Turned leg with multiple types of turnings. |
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Restrained Cabriole – Cabriole leg with a rather straight shape. |
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Round – Round, usually shaped or turned leg. |
Chair Seat Material
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Upholstered – Cushioned and covered with fabric. |
Chair Seat Shape
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Curved – Circular or rounded seat. |
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Horseshoe – Horseshoe shaped seat with a rounded front. |
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Horseshoe Arch with Serpentine Front – Horseshoe shaped seat with a serpentine front. |
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Square – Square shaped seat. |
Drawer Pull
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Carved Wood (Ornate) – Carved wood handle, often in the shape of fruit or leaves. The size varies from 4 to 7 inches wide. |
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Glass Knob – Mushroom-shaped or round glass knob, often clear or iridescent. |
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Rosette – Round 2-inch knob in the shape of a flower, usually in brass or glass. |
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Wooden Mushroom-Shaped Knob – Mushroom-shaped wooden knob, often 1 inch high and 1.5 to 2.5 inches in diameter. |
Fabric
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Braid – Woven strips of cloth. |
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Hair Cloth – Stiff, open weave fabric made from animal hair, often camel or horse hair. |
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Needlepoint – A type of counted thread embroidery in which yarn is stitched through an open canvas weave. |
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Plush – Fabric with a deep pile, often velvet. |
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Tapestry – Heavy weight fabric with decorative designs. |
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Velour – Cloth with a short thick pile, usually made from mercerized cotton, silk, or mohair. |
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Velvet – Woven pile fabric that is soft and sturdy, often made of silk with blends of cotton, nylon, and rayon. |
Finish
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Gilding – Gold leaf. |
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Oil Varnish – Clear finish that emphasized the grain of the wood. |
Foot
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Ball and Claw – Carved claw grasping a ball. |
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Continuation of leg – Leg does not terminate into a foot. |
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Whorl – Small round foot with a coiled appearance. |
Hardware Material
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Glass – Transparent to translucent. |
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Wood – Various types of wood, carved or turned. |
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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Cyma or S-Curve – S-shaped curve, partly concave and partly convex. |
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Straight – Straight lines. |
Motif
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Foliage – Leaves or vines. |
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Scroll – Form resembling a roll of parchment paper. |
Ornamentation
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Carving – Cutting or chipping the surface of wood to create a shape or design. |
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Fretwork – Decorative carving or openwork with interlacing lines. |
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Inlay – Contrasting material set into the surface of wood to create a shape or design. |
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Spindle – Turned pieces split vertically, often affixed to the front of case furniture. |
Proportion
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Heavy – Sturdy, thick dimensions.(Chippendale style shown) |
Underbracing
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Moderate – Moderately proportioned stretchers.(William and Mary style shown) |
Wood
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Ash – Whitish-gray American hardwood with similar graining to oak. |
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Black Walnut – Dark brown American hardwood with a wide range of figures. |
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Butternut – Medium brown American hardwood, often stained to resemble black walnut. |
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Maple – Golden to Red-brown American hardwood with a wide range of figures. |
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Oak – Gray-brown American hardwood. |
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Rosewood Veneer – Purple-brown South American hardwood with black streaks that can be highly polished. |