American Empire 1810-1830 More striking than the Federal interior, though sometimes more pretentious as well, an American Empire room has strong overtones of French design, but is not as elaborate as its Continental counterparts. It is more spacious, reflecting the affluence of a well-established society, and its furniture and fittings are correspondingly larger in scale, enhanced with richer ornament, and showing a palette of darkish, contrasting hues. The drapery treatment in these rooms is a simplified adaptation of French Empire designs, in vivid colors, and fabrics such as satin, damask, or velvet colors, as noted, are richer and more intense than those of the Federal period—royal blue and gold, dark greens and crimson, or other warm and saturated tones. Furniture has gradually grown larger in scale and more robust in appearance than earlier Neoclassical designs, with solid geometric forms, darker woods, and broad expanses of polished veneer. Classical sideboards, chests, and wardrobes are low to the ground, sitting on broad paw feet or platform bases. Decorative carving is generally deemphasized in favor of a smooth surface in which the rich grain of fine veneers such as mahogany, the material of choice, serves as primary ornament. Parquet or marble floors would be covered with imported rugs, or the newly fashionable carpet—perhaps in a medallion pattern—laid from wall to wall.
|
