5 Important Characteristics of Victorian Furniture

Antiques furniture of the Victorian age can make a huge difference to the look and elegance of your home. Victorian Furniture is so termed, as this was mainly designed during the reign of Queen Victoria of the British Empire, a period which began in 1837 and ended in 1901. Victorian furniture further adds to the class and sophistication of a home, making it all the more elegant. Be it the dining space or the bedroom, the home can look classy with a collection of Victorian furniture.

Characteristics

1. Different type of pattern The main characteristics of Victorian furniture can be seen in the intricate carvings with natural images like floral patterns, leafy patterns and curving lines. The Art Nouveau which came at a much later stage is quite similar, making it difficult to judge if a piece is indeed Victorian or not. Victorian Furniture can be further determined by its angular shapes and lines along with the carvings. A Victorian chair or table basically has a straight shape with curves along the bottom of the sofa below the cushions, the legs of the chair and the back of the seat. These pieces also have curved moldings and decorative friezes.

2. Various material used The Victorians loved embellishments in various form like embossing, tassels and layers of material. This type of furniture gives that extra attention to texture and details. This is where Art Nouveau is different and lacking, as there are no frills. So if you come across a piece with lots of tassels and fancy carving, probably you have come across a Victorian piece.

3. Upholstery The upholstery used during this time was plush and concentrated on luxurious material and textures like velvet. The colors used were dark, rich and lush. Using different colors of different shades and patterns usually accented backgrounds which were plain white. Furniture which was upholstered also had tassels and embellishments.

4. Proportions The furniture of the Victorian Era was characterized by large sideboards, heavy pedestals and pieces in bulkier proportions. The designs were able to provide balance and character to the decorations of the piece.

5. Wood Most of the pieces of Victorian Furniture were made of walnut, rosewood or mahogany. The replicas of these are of stained cheery hues and deep brown to give them a look of the Victorian Era.

Identification Identifying a piece of Victorian furniture might get difficult if it is the first time you are choosing to decorate your house with such furniture. To start off, it is recommended that you grab a book and first get an idea of what Victorian furniture looked like in the first place. Getting knowledge of the different sub-periods at that time and what type of furniture was made with their basic characteristics might be of some help. It gives you that extra confidence when buying Victorian furniture if you first go to auctions and get firsthand knowledge of what types of Victorian Furniture are available and what prices people pay for them. Finally, you can also find out someone in the family, or a friend or even a dealer who can give you all the knowledge regarding Victorian Furniture. Myths It is a myth that all Victorian furniture has the same look. With a number of styles during the different decades of that period, there are a number of types of Victorian Furniture, like Modern Gothic or Egyptian revival. With the choice of so many different styles, there is no way you will not find one you would like. There is a variety of furniture catering to the various tastes. Victorian furniture from the different time periods will add to your home the elegance and class besides adding luxury and style. Although a little on the expensive side, this furniture is long lasting and reliable.