The Classical Influence, part 2

In the previous post I mentioned the use of ancient, classical motifs as decoration in the designs of Robert and James Adam and the guides of Hepplewhite and Sheraton, contrasting this with early 19^th century attempts to emulate the designs of ancient furniture. In this post I will show some examples of this use of “classical motifs” in furniture and decorative arts.

One obvious use of classical motifs is the column. Chippendale's Director includes renderings of the classical orders and some of his designs incorporate them, e.g. chimney pieces and clock cases. American Chippendale furniture of the 18^th century also utilized the classical orders, especially in case pieces such as secretaries and highboys.

A widely adopted use of the classical column was for candlesticks. Pictured below is a pair of Old Sheffield Plate candlesticks in the form of Doric columns from around 1770. (They are marked with “pseudo hallmarks” which were banned in 1773.)

Old Sheffield Plate candlesticks in the form of Doric columns, English c. 1770.

The vase or urn shape was an especially popular classical motif and was widely used in both furniture and other decorative arts. Pictured below is a Hepplewhite chair which uses the vase or urn shape in the general design of its “shield back” as well as incorporating it into the carving within the shield. Hepplewhite style mirrors are another example.

Hepplewhite side chair, mahogany, English, late 18^th or early 19th century. One of a set of six.

Hepplewhite style mirror, 20^th century.

This shape was especially popular in the design of neoclassical style silver of the late 18^th century. Illustrated below are several examples of various table items in this shape as well as a sugar basket or cream pail decorated with a medallion of a classical figure.

Old Sheffield Plate soup tureen, English c. 1780.

Old Sheffield Plate hot water or tea urn, English c. 1780. Old Sheffield Plate hot water jug, English c. 1780. Jugs or ewers of this type were also used for serving claret.

Old Sheffield Plate sugar basket or cream pail, English c. 1780. The body is formed of four pieces joined together.

R.J.Fendorf
Antiques 
in the Georgian Village
1714 West 45th Street
Kansas City, MO 64111
913.302.3206
jfendorf@yahoo.com