Valuable American Furniture Companies
Antique furniture holds centuries of history. Well-maintained antiques can earn consigners hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. When consigning your antique American furniture, it is best to know its unique history to properly value each piece. Here you can learn more about the predominant periods of American furniture in the archives, as well as six of the most influential designers of the centuries with our antique furniture guide. Understanding these periods' unique history and style can give you a better understanding of your antique's worth before consigning.
Influential American Antique Furniture Periods
Antique American furniture is heavily influenced by the materials available during each period, as well as the craftsmen's origins — usually English, French or German. Periods also have unique styles, like ornamental carvings and leg shapes, that can help you identify your antique's history. The 12 predominant periods of fine American furniture styles, as well as their dependent characteristics, are as follows:
1. Early American
The Early American period spans from 1640 to 1700. When colonists first arrived in the New World at the beginning of 1600, furniture existed mostly for practicality. A few decades later, as colonists settled, craftsmen began designing furniture beyond practicality, with many designs taking influence from English furniture styles.
Early American vintage furniture is most noted for ornamental carvings, finial elements on the peak of pieces, raised panels and crescent shapes.
Craftsmen carved wooden furniture from many kinds of wood, including pine, cherry, birch, maple, oak and fruitwoods, namely apple. Most joinery — where wood components come together for durability — was mortise and tenon. Mortise and tenon joinery is still common today, where tenon tongues fit into the mortise hole, creating a secure fit.
The early American furniture style's practicality is what makes it a staple. Many future styles would build upon the first furniture designs to create new and improved ones.
2. Colonial
The Colonial period, spanning the years 1700 to 1780, coexists with Queen Anne and William and Mary furniture styles. American craftsmen were heavily influenced by these English styles, but with a more conservative twist. Furniture in this period needed to be light and multifunctional to satisfy the rapid American lifestyle. Colonial American furniture designs include straight-lined carvings, finials and cabriole, or s-curved, legs.
Most furniture designs during this period included mahogany, elm and walnut woods. Many craftsmen kept wood in its natural finish or applied finishes like oil varnish, paint and wax. While the mortise and tenon joint remained popular, the dovetail joint began making an appearance. This is a joinery made of a series of "pins" from one board, interlocked with a series of "tails" of a joining board, both with a trapezoidal shape.
3. Pennsylvania Dutch
The Pennsylvania Dutch period overlaps the Colonial period, spanning from 1720 to 1830. "Dutch" doesn't actually relate to the Netherlands. Rather, Pennsylvania Dutch is greatly influenced by the Germans. "Dutch" stems from the word "Deutsch," which is German for the German language.
Historically, the Pennsylvania Dutch is a German cultural group that settled in Pennsylvania in the late 1600s. Craftsmen embraced these German roots and intertwined them with Colonial influences, creating their own style of American furniture. Pennsylvania Dutch furniture is simple and is designed to be more practical than stylish.
Furniture designs often included straight lines, no curves, tapered legs, and most notably, hand-painted scenes. Hand-painted scenes mostly represented daily life, animals and geometric patterns. The most commonly used woods included walnut, oak and pine. While Colonial furniture often had varnish or wax finishes, Pennsylvania Dutch pieces were mostly painted.
4. Federal
The Federal period spans from 1780 to 1820 following the Revolutionary War. During this time, America was defining its government and culture. English and French designs were largely influential during the Federal period, but craftsmen's interpretations varied. Overall, furniture in the Federal period included fluting — shallow grooves, often on a column or as decorative elements — contrasting woods and patterns, and decorative borders.
Most furniture during this period was crafted using mahogany. Accent woods were also used, like cherry or walnut woods. Additionally, craftsmen began using floral-inspired brass hardware to upscale their crafts.
5. Sheraton
Englishman Thomas Sheraton largely influenced the American furniture styles during the Federal period. Sheraton took his primary inspiration from upper-class English furniture, adding a feminine refinement that backboned his revolutionary style.
Sheraton largely used mahogany wood in his work. Aside from staple Federal period furniture styles, Sheraton furniture often featured inlaid decorations done with lightweight woods like satinwood, tulipwood, sycamore and rosewood. He also enjoyed incorporating rich upholstery in chairs and other seating.
6. American Empire
The American Empire period overlaps the Federal and Sheraton periods, spanning from 1800 to 1840. During this time, France regained its authority as an empire. France's roaring character created a ripple effect across the nations and greatly influenced American furniture styles. The American Empire period was so greatly favored that it earned a dedicated room, the Red Room, in the White House.
American Empire period furniture is recognized for its curved arms, intricate carvings, twisting columns, cabriole legs, ornate feet and floral embellishments. Decorations often included themes like bird wings, dolphin heads and pineapples.
7. Shaker
The Shaker period spans from 1820 to 1860. Shakers are a Christian group that first came to America in the mid-to-late 1700s. Followers are highly spiritual, believing in a simple lifestyle and rejecting the sin of pride. Shaker communities were largely self-sufficient, as Shakers created their own buildings and furnishings according to their beliefs.
Shaker period furnishings have a minimalist design, opposing the preceding periods' ornamental designs. Craftsmen created visual interest by creating multidimensional and multipurpose designs. Most craftsmen during this time used local woods like pine, maple and cherry. When painted, furniture included colors like blue, green, red and yellow, oftentimes monochromatic. Most hardware was made of wood, and sometimes brass.
8. Victorian
The Victorian period spans Queen Victoria's rule of Great Britain from 1840 to 1910. At the time, Queen Victoria had the longest rule in Great Britain's monarch history — now second to modern-day Queen Elizabeth II. Queen Victoria greatly influenced English furniture, in return, influencing American craftsmanship.
Queen Victoria and other English upperclassmen enjoyed showing off their wealth. Some Victorian period furniture can be hard to identify because craftsmen took great inspiration from Gothic, Tudor, Elizabethan and Neoclassic styles.
Victorian period furniture is largely decorative and formal. Designs are recognized by their intricate needlepoint and tapestry designs, curved structures and shapes, and rosewood inlays. Craftsmen commonly used valuable woods like black walnut, rosewood, oak, maple and ash.
9. Arts and Crafts Movement
The Arts and Crafts movement, spanning from 1880 to 1920, retained the momentum of the Victorian period's fine art and furniture design. But, craftsmen, like influential Englishman William Morris or American Gustav Stickley, challenged Victorian furniture's mass production, creating higher-quality pieces with an impressive level of skilled craftsmanship.
Craftsmen during this period took inspiration from the clean lines and designs found in medieval guilds. Arts and Crafts period furniture features straight lines with an emphasis on elongated forms. Furniture was typically crafted using dark wood and stained oak. It often featured wooden or metal hardware.
10. Art Nouveau
The Art Nouveau period overlaps the Arts and Crafts Movements, spanning from 1890 to 1910. "Art Nouveau" is French, meaning "new art." Art Nouveau is a decorative style that impacted many artistic designs, including furniture. Craftsmen's goal during this period was to revolutionize furniture design as they entered the new century.
Art Nouveau started in France and rapidly spread through Europe, eventually reaching America. Designs weren't influenced by a single country. Rather, designs were uniquely influenced by the craftsman, their preferred style and unique skills.
The furniture during this period allowed craftsmen to showcase their full talent, usually through intricate designs. Craftsman thought big — curving lines, multidimensional carvings, elaborate ornamental carvings, veneer inlays, many fabrics and much more. Because of these elaborate designs, Art Nouveau furniture was expensive and hard to make, requiring an impressive high level of skill.
11. Traditional Revival
The Traditional Revival period, spanning from 1920 to 1950, is recognized as one of the first periods in American history that was wholly inspired by old buildings and furniture from preceding periods. Two of the largest influences were the Colonial and Federal periods, as they were highly sought-after designs.
Trends varied, but some included intricate inlays and veneers, shapely lines, upholstery, darker woods and decorative borders.
12. Modern and Post-Modern
After revisiting the past during the Traditional Revival periods, craftsmen began departing from English and French influences. In the 1950s, craftsmen rejected the traditional rules of design, marking the beginning of modernism. Modern designs are minimalistic, monochromatic and use new materials such as plywood, metals and plastics.
In the 1960s, some artists began rejecting the idea of modernism, starting the era of post-modernism. Craftsmen began embracing new colors, textures and aesthetics, creating visually stunning pieces of art. In modern day, we are still celebrating artistic expression through modern and post-modern furniture designs.
Top American Furniture Makers
Throughout the centuries, there are a number of furniture craftsmen who made an impact on furniture decorative arts. In consignment, pieces by these craftsmen are highly sought-after and can earn you a higher consignment price. Some of the top American furniture makers are:
1. J. and J.W. Meeks
Joseph Meeks was a furniture craftsman who was well established in New York City from 1797 to 1869. He was active during the American Empire, Shaker and most of the Victorian periods. Meeks was mostly influenced by the American Empire style, experimenting with Victorian-Rococo styles later in life.
His crafts are the epitome of luxury, refinement and romanticism. Meeks enjoyed colorful upholstery, intricate carvings, elaborate curvatures and cabriole legs, among other high-skilled designs.
Example of the Make
This example of Joseph Meek's late work is a good representation of his elaborate style. Crafted in 1850, this center table features a foliate — ornate leaf carvings — border and a rosewood body, a popular wood in the Victorian period. Contrasting with the dark wood is a white marble top, an expensive material even in modern day.
The center table has four cabriole legs, all crafted with fruit carvings at the knees and feet. Branching from the legs are more foliate carvings, centered with a fluted finial.
2. John Henry Belter
John Henry Belter was born in Germany and settled in New York City in 1833. J.H. Belter was influenced by the same periods as Joseph Meeks and has a similar refined, elaborate style.
He enjoyed working with rich walnut and mahogany woods, but his favorite wood to work with was rosewood. In fact, J.H. Belter patented his original method of processing laminated rosewood, which could be layered, heated and carved to achieve fine detail.
Example of the Make
This example of J.H. Belter's work shows how influential each period is on craftsmen's works. As J.H. Belter worked under the same periods as Joseph Meek, their works are comparatively similar.
This rounded center table is crafted using laminated rosewood. Contrasting with the rosewood is an off-white marbled top. Bordering this marbled top is an apron of ornamental carvings. Four long-lined cabriole legs support the aproned top of the center table, with fruit carvings at the knees and feet. Centered under the table, and branching from the four cabriole legs, is an ornamental finial top.
3. R.J. Horner and Co.
Robert J. Horner was an American-born craftsman who established his work in New York City in 1886. His retail furniture company was famously located in lower Manhattan, making himself available to the city's elite. His reach extended far past New York City, too, reaching the East Coast and parts of the Midwest.
R.J. Horner was active during the Victorian, Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau periods. However, he was more influenced by the Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau periods. He was successful because of his focus on quality and highly skilled carvings, notably ornate imagery in oak and mahogany woods.
Example of the Make
This example of R.J. Horner's work accurately reflects the influences of the Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau periods. Crafted in 1890, this drop front desk holds highly skilled carvings in every inch.
On most of the exterior surface, R.J. Horner sculpted foliate carvings, separated by borders of smooth oak wood. At the top of the drop front desk, in the border under the top flat surface, is a three-dimensionally carved griffin head. The griffin details are continued in the front feet of the desk, with two complete griffin sculptures. Learn more about R.J Horner and Co. furniture here.
4. Gustav Stickley
Gustav Stickley was born in America and received most of his training in his uncle's chair factory in Pennsylvania. In the late 1880s, he took his work to a professional level by establishing his furniture store. By 1901, Gustav Stickley received praise for his Arts and Crafts styles.
Compared to the other craftsmen on this list, Gustav Stickley has a more refined and simplistic style. He focused on natural, smooth surfaces with purposeful applications of fine details. His work looks artistically handmade — bringing to life his ideals of simplicity, honesty and truth.
Example of the Make
This example of Gustav Stickley's work showcases his unique ability to balance refinement and luxury. This early 1900s sink is primarily made of oak with a marbled top. The top of the sink is supported by four straight legs, with a lower shelf of exposed mortise and tenon joinery — a common characteristic of Gustav Stickley's work.
Other Makers
Other makers recognized for their antique American furniture styles are:
5. Charles and Ray Eames
Charles and Ray Eames were a married duo well-known for their works during the early Modern and Post-Modern periods. Their craftsmanship is extremely artistic, consistently pushing the boundaries of what furniture can be. When looking at their work, it's clear they both approached their craft with fun and curiosity in mind.
6. Paul Evans
Paul Evans was an American-born artist popular for his Post-Modern styles in the 1970s. He's most recognized for his superior metalwork, straying away from French and English designs and pushing material boundaries. His work consisted of fine lines, geometric shapes and often had combating metal types and patterns.
Consigning Valuable Antique Furniture
Once you're equipped to identify your antique's origin, you can have a better idea of how much your antique is worth. Other factors that influence your antique's worth are:
- Rarity: Collectors place a higher value on rarer pieces, meaning they're willing to pay more. A large factor in a piece's rarity is the number of originals left. If your antique furniture is a one-of-a-kind piece, its rarity can increase the consignment value.
- Aesthetic: The overall design and aesthetic of a piece influence the desirability of your antique. If the piece is aesthetically appealing, it can attract more collectors and increase in value.
- Authenticity: If your piece has documentation on its authenticity, your antique's value increases. There are other methods to checking authenticity, too, which a professional can help with.
- Condition: Perhaps one of the most important factors to your piece's value is its condition. Antiques in good condition are more sought after and have a higher value.
Do you think you have a valuable antique? The next step is finding a consignment location that can get you the highest return for your valuable. Choose a consignment location that has:
- Experience in American antique furniture
- A good reputation
- A global reach of collectors
- Reliable appraisal services
There are a number of antique consignment locations across the globe. If you're looking for a consignment location with these benefits, consider consigning your antique at Fontaine's Auction Gallery.
How to Consign Your Antique Furniture at Fontaine's Auction Gallery
Fontaine's Auction Gallery is a global leader in the auction industry. With over five decades of experience, we've built a reliable reputation with buyers and sellers of fine art, antiques, jewelry and more.
Consigning your antique American furniture at Fontaine's Auction Gallery is simple — take detailed pictures of your antique furniture, and receive a free auction estimate by emailing them to [email protected]. Or, you can use the online form in this link. Our specialists will contact you with more information once they have properly evaluated your antique. If your antique is suited for auction, we will provide an auction estimate and guide you through the proceeding steps.
Join our American furniture auction to sell your antiques. Whether you have old American furniture or other styles, we will accept them as long as they pass the evaluation. If your antiques pass the review, we will put them up for auction, regardless of whether they display an old American furniture style or another design type. We take pride in offering the most valuable antique furniture you can find in Massachusetts and throughout the country.
Consign Your American Antique Furniture at Fontaine's Auction Gallery
Whenever you're ready to consign, the professionals at Fontaine's Auction Gallery are prepared to help you. We look forward to building a relationship with you and learning more about your antique's unique history. Our prices are competitive globally, so you can trust you will get the most for your valuable.
Contact us today for a free auction estimate. Even if you're not sure if your antique is valuable, send us the photos and information you can and our professionals can tell you exactly what your antique is worth. Have any questions? Reach out to us directly by calling 413-448-8922 today.
