Biedermeier 1815-1848
The most important was natural beauty of materials. Strength, practicality and convenience were valued the most. Local origin materials like cherry-tree, ash, maple were commonly used. In the middle of 19th century Biedermeier had big influence in Europe, as well in Latvia and Russian cities as Moscow and St. Peterburg.
Second Empire, 1848-1870
During this period, furniture makers drew indiscriminately from all previous periods and sources, which resulted in an eclecticism that had considerable historicist charm and even inventive appeal.
Art Deco 1920-1945
Art Deco means elegant and eclectic design style, first seen in 1920 in Paris. The Art Deco style is a result of vanguard movement and vanguard progressive art vision. Color, shape and design are the basic elements of Art Deco. Also Art Deco style borrowed some functional and esthetic from the Bauhaus.
Art&Craft 1860-1910
It stood for traditional craftsmanship using simple forms and often applied medieval, romantic or folk styles of decoration. It advocated economic and social reform and has been said to be essentially anti-industrial.
Baroque 1620-1700
This epoch is all about mind and work freedom, when artists were ignoring the specificity in materials. As a result we have new curved lines and surfaces, patterned columns and column relief, new mosaic technique in decorating. It was huge variety of mosaic motives as shields, cartouches, shells, crowns and different plaiting.
Empire style 1760-1820
Most used material was redwood. The main traits of this style were bronze, redwood and Egypt features. All this together brought style called Empire on the top of designing art. Empire style finished the classicism era in the middle of 18 century.
Rococo 1690-1760
Primarily furniture was made from hazel tree. Rococo also is known as Louis XV of France favorite style. Rococo is all about luxury, gracefulness, sensuality of lines and plenty of decorations. Smooth and soft lines had huge dominance.
Renaissance 1558-1625
The main colors of this age are muted, artists tried to save the natural texture and color of materials they used. Invention of plywood cutter made possible to improve furniture decorating tarsia. The Italian dower chest – cassone – turns in to the first predecessor of couch – cassa panka.
Art nouveau/Jugendstil 1890-1914
The La Belle Époque age, when Europe society hadn’t faced the World War yet. This style is about nature, asymmetrical patterns and Japanese motives, based on organic forms. It has floral and plant-inspired motives, and stylized, flowing curvilinear forms.
Neoclassicism/ classicism 1755-1805
Curved, smooth lines of Rococo style were changed on simple and straight constructions. Chair and table legs looked iconic straight and were shaped like a cone. Ancient Greece and Near East motives became very popular. Therefore decorating tarsia is still in charge. Genius cabinetmaker Andre Charles Boulee made a commode look exactly as we see it today.
