A deeper understanding of antique Victorian furniture begins with some knowledge of the Victorian Era itself, the period of time in which this remarkable furniture was made. The Victorian Era takes its name from Queen Victoria, who ruled in the United Kingdom from June 1837 to January 1901. During Victoria’s reign, the British people grew very prosperous, both through their empire and through industrial progress at home. This prosperity led to the rise of a large and highly educated middle class.
The Victorians were fascinated with novelty, and the era witnessed much conflict with regard to style, including the famous Battle of the Styles, which pitted Gothic against Classical. The Great Exhibition, which took place in London’s Hyde Park from May 1 to October 15, 1851, was the first World’s Fair. It featured the Crystal Palace, which the famous critic John Ruskin, who supported Gothic style, called the epitome of mechanical dehumanization.
The Victorian Era was also greatly influenced by the development of photography, which scholars link to the rise of Impressionism and Social Realism in the latter part of Victoria’s reign.
The decorative arts were characterized by an eclectic revival and influences from Asia and the mid-east. Here at The Antique Victorian Furniture Blog we are particularly interested, of course, in the furniture of the era. No particular style dominated the creation of Victorian furniture. Rather, the designers drew inspiration from Gothic, Tudor, Elizabethan, English Rococo, Neoclassical and other periods.
Gothic and Rococo were perhaps the most popular and common styles. The Gothic style of Victorian furniture, which flourished from approximately 1830 to 1860, follows the design and motifs of churches, with arches, quatrefoils, spires and crockets. Rococo, prevalent in the 1850s and 1860s, is characterized by sinewy curved lines, C and S scrolls, and elements of nature such as leaves, vines and flowers.
On the other hand, one of the most famous Victorian furniture designers, Charles Eastlake, despised Rococo and ushered in an era known as the Eastlake era in response. This was noted for its trend toward less showy and less complicated designs, with more stylized natural elements, shallow incisions and turnings.
It’s important to understand that the styles of antique Victorian furniture vary greatly. It can be a tricky business for the novice collector, especially given that the furniture is rarely labeled and attribution is largely a matter of opinion. I’d recommend that you start by reading a few good books, such as Jeremy Cooper’s Victorian and Edwardian Furniture and Interiors. Pick the brains of people who know the business. Find and observe local auctions that deal in antique Victorian furniture.
And visit websites, like The Antique Victorian Furniture Blog and others that I will point you toward, which are devoted to giving you reliable information and to helping you deepen your understanding and appreciation of this glorious period of the decorative arts.
Thanks for the visit. Hope to see you again soon!
March 13th, 2009 at 4:53 am
Very good read.
April 23rd, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Great post. I’ve only recently become interested in victorian antiques. There is a nice selection at http://www.victorianantiquefurniture.co.uk.
Best wishes!
Jon.
June 29th, 2009 at 7:28 am
thanks.. nice post.. keep going.
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Recently i purchases a easy to assemble victorian wood furniture kit for doll houses, from a thrift store still in the box, copyrighted 1979, for like 2 dollars. Any way my husband suggested maybe i could sell it on ebay or something so i was wondering if anyone out there knew alittle about these dolls house furniture kits and if now, would it be worth anything, i think its cool and even if its not worth nothing im going to open it up and put it together and display it on one of my cabinets. So if you know anything about these wood furniture kits please give me advice on if i should sell it or not if its worth anything or not.
July 30th, 2009 at 11:15 am
Time has come when we need to save the traditional furniture and present it with modern looks so the its being used by this generation youth.
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August 12th, 2009 at 5:07 am
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September 12th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
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October 5th, 2009 at 2:02 am
Very interesting and informative article. Thanks for posting it.
October 12th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Thanks for the informative article on Victorian furniture and the further suggested readings.
October 16th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
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October 21st, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Wonderful highlight of a touching age in art and architecture. The furniture was clearly of high quality and standards if it has lasted until today.
October 25th, 2009 at 7:36 am
nice article ..i more into the modern since of art ..good info though ..hope u can add something about
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October 29th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Fantastic article, great primer on getting started in antique furniture. Thanks!
November 2nd, 2009 at 6:55 am
Very informative article. A good guide for Antique Victorian furniture.
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November 6th, 2009 at 1:46 am
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November 19th, 2009 at 1:07 am
You give one very informative article about Antique Furniture
November 19th, 2009 at 10:36 am
Great read, well put together article.
January 5th, 2010 at 5:02 pm
Great post.
January 15th, 2010 at 5:52 am
Victorian antique furniture have some of the most beautiful designs. They can instantly make an average home turn into a classic wonder.
Kepp posting
January 29th, 2010 at 10:04 am
victorian furniture beats modern furniture for style.
January 31st, 2010 at 8:19 am
It’s great the way styles from across the world in similar time frames both have natural details embedded in their consoles, beds, armchairs and other pieces. Makes you think their may be a way to be modern by mixing antique furniture styles.
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Thanks for the background information on this! Great read!
February 10th, 2010 at 1:30 am
I always love to know much more about antique furniture and this moment I found here about Victorian style furniture. Many thanks for sharing valuable information.
February 18th, 2010 at 5:23 pm
Hey i want purchase at-least one antique furniture. Can you provide me the list of manufacturer and exporter Antique victorian furniture
February 21st, 2010 at 11:59 pm
A helpful article to learn about Antique Victorian furniture, I like it very much.
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March 6th, 2010 at 1:36 am
A deeper understanding of antique Victorian furniture begins with some knowledge of the Victorian Era itself, the period of time in which this remarkable furniture was made.thanks for sharing information.Buy a Granite Furniture