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

Formal – Elaborately detailed, somber appearance.(Victorian style shown)

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Chair Arms

Curved – Arms curved outward.

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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

Balloon – Balloon-shaped chair back, rounded at the top and tapering to the seat.

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Chair Leg

	Elaborate turning – Turned leg with multiple types of turnings.
	Restrained Cabriole – Cabriole leg with a rather straight shape.
	Round – Round, usually shaped or turned leg.

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Chair Seat Material

Upholstered – Cushioned and covered with fabric.

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Chair Seat Shape

	Curved – Circular or rounded seat.
	Horseshoe – Horseshoe shaped seat with a rounded front.
	Horseshoe Arch with Serpentine Front – Horseshoe shaped seat with a serpentine front.
	Square – Square shaped seat.

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Drawer Pull

	Carved Wood (Ornate) – Carved wood handle, often in the shape of fruit or leaves. The size varies from 4 to 7 inches wide.
	Glass Knob – Mushroom-shaped or round glass knob, often clear or iridescent.
	Rosette – Round 2-inch knob in the shape of a flower, usually in brass or glass.
	Wooden Mushroom-Shaped Knob – Mushroom-shaped wooden knob, often 1 inch high and 1.5 to 2.5 inches in diameter.

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Fabric

	Braid – Woven strips of cloth.
	Hair Cloth – Stiff, open weave fabric made from animal hair, often camel or horse hair.
	Needlepoint – A type of counted thread embroidery in which yarn is stitched through an open canvas weave.
	Plush – Fabric with a deep pile, often velvet.
	Tapestry – Heavy weight fabric with decorative designs.
	Velour – Cloth with a short thick pile, usually made from mercerized cotton, silk, or mohair.
	Velvet – Woven pile fabric that is soft and sturdy, often made of silk with blends of cotton, nylon, and rayon.

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Finish

	Gilding – Gold leaf.
	Oil Varnish – Clear finish that emphasized the grain of the wood.

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Foot

	Ball and Claw – Carved claw grasping a ball.
	Continuation of leg – Leg does not terminate into a foot.
	Whorl – Small round foot with a coiled appearance.

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Hardware Material

	Glass – Transparent to translucent.
	Wood – Various types of wood, carved or turned.

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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

	Cyma or S-Curve – S-shaped curve, partly concave and partly convex.
	Straight – Straight lines.

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Motif

	Foliage – Leaves or vines.
	Scroll – Form resembling a roll of parchment paper.

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Ornamentation

	Carving – Cutting or chipping the surface of wood to create a shape or design.
	Fretwork – Decorative carving or openwork with interlacing lines.
	Inlay – Contrasting material set into the surface of wood to create a shape or design.
	Spindle – Turned pieces split vertically, often affixed to the front of case furniture.

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Proportion

Heavy – Sturdy, thick dimensions.(Chippendale style shown)

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Underbracing

Moderate – Moderately proportioned stretchers.(William and Mary style shown)

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Wood

	Ash – Whitish-gray American hardwood with similar graining to oak.
	Black Walnut – Dark brown American hardwood with a wide range of figures.
	Butternut – Medium brown American hardwood, often stained to resemble black walnut.
	Maple – Golden to Red-brown American hardwood with a wide range of figures.
	Oak – Gray-brown American hardwood.
	Rosewood Veneer – Purple-brown South American hardwood with black streaks that can be highly polished.