American Furniture of the 18th Century: History, Technique & Structure
$16.92
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In the first part of the book, Jeffrey Greene chronicles the evolution of the design and construction of 18th-century furniture, drawing on historical influences and the tastes of the period. In the second part, he explains and illustrates the techniques of the period furniture maker, including joinery and authentic construction; carving, turning and inlay; time-honored finishing methods; and making working drawings. The final part examines 24 important original examples in detail for their design, construction and artistic merit.
Written by a professional period furniture maker, this book is intended for anyone with an interest in 18th-century furniture. For antiquarians, it will serve as a detailed guide to the furniture maker’s methods. For cabinetmakers of any period, it will be an essential reference on connoisseurship and historical methods.
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32 reviews for American Furniture of the 18th Century: History, Technique & Structure
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$16.92
Millard B. Parsley Jr. –
I am a fan of the William & Mary style and have sought to build a tall chest for some time. Unfortunately, there are virtually no books out there about this beautiful style of furniture. I purchased “American Furniture” just to have another resource on early American furniture and was thrilled to find not only a thorough review of the W&M style but an in-depth look at the tall chest. Mr. Greene provides a history and exploded view of an example that would certainly rate “best” in Sack’s “Fine Points”. Of course, the whole book is great but it is the only text I have found to go this deep into W&M.
WC Pag –
This is exactly what I was looking for — good, clean and clear images of how a piece is constructed. Shows evolution of various joints. I liked the geographical breakdown between the regions.
Dr Al-Florida –
This is a great book at an extraordinary price. I would prefer that more of the pictures were in color but that would have increased the price of the book, maybe, beyond what I was willing to spend. If you want to learn about 18th century furniture making, this is the best there is. Greene has a writing style that is very clear and a pleasure to read. I cant say enough about this book.
C. Smith –
I love this book. It tells how the styles of early American furniture and design evolved from England and specifically what design details were used in America. It points out what areas certain design features became characteristic of and during what dates. The second half of the book is great information on how the pieces are constructed. It helps one appreciate the remarkable design and skilled craftsmanship from that era.
artshow –
Great book, so full of information and nice pictures. The exploded views of the pictured furniture shows the author’s knowledge of the trade and excellent illustration talents with his assistant. Just a great book. The author did a fantastic job. And the reseller was accurate in the description of the book. Looked new to me! :-))
Fixer –
Greene’s book does a good job of providing a woodworker (or others interested in period pieces) with solid information on many selected pieces from the era of the title. He does a good job of selecting pieces of good taste, and gives a lot of information on various details with just the right amount of how-to. There is also a lot of historical background info for those who like to know about the history of a piece or style before they build it. The pictures and exploded drawings (showing joinery) are excellent. Though not a comprehensive encyclopedia (it’s not intended to be one) it is a good read from start to finish or a good reference book. Well worth the money.
Michael Pingrey –
In the 18th Century, cabinet construction underwent the greatest changes ever seen in the art form. I wanted to understand the constructual differences between Jacobean, William & Mary, Queen Anne, Chippendale and the resultant forms. This book provides clarity and insight into those distinctions. It also gives excellent detail on constructing cabriole legs, including an excellent technique for constructing knee blocks, and in carving the Ball and Claw foot. Whether a cabinetmaker or a historian, this book is for you; doubly so, if you enjoy both endeavors.
Dan Murphy –
Even if you’re not a fan of high-style period furniture (I’m not), this book is a fantastic resource. The discussions of joinery, casework, finishing and other techniques are invaluable to woodworkers who want to use traditional tools and methods.
Interestingly, while these furniture styles still don’t appeal to me personally, I have a much greater appreciation for them after reading Greene’s book. He does a great job of explaining how the broader socioeconomic context of the time influenced furniture design ideals. Once you understand what the maker of, say, a Queen Anne high chest was trying to accomplish, you see the piece in a whole new light.