THE PRACTICAL BOOK OF PERIOD FURNITURE by HAROLD DONALDSON EBERLEIN & ABBOT McCLURE

Author:HAROLD DONALDSON EBERLEIN & ABBOT McCLURE
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 1914-03-25T05:00:00+00:00

ADAM GILT MIRROR AND CONSOLK TA1(I,K

By Courtoay of Mcun. Hale aad Kilburn, Thilailolphis

PLATE XXIII

anyhow—the Adams, be it remembered, never made a stick of fnmitare themselves—that, for the sake of

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convenience and brevity, they will be treated in the Hepplewhite Chapter.

SmEBOABD TABLES AND PEDESTALS

The development of the sideboard, farthered by Shearer and Hepplewhite and reiiching perfection in the designs of Sheraton, was greatly advanced by the Adelphi. They did not make the sideboard as we now know it bnt enhanced the importance and grace of the sideboard table, which they flanked at either end by square pedestals of corresponding design, surmounted by graceful nm-shaped knife boxes {Plates XXI, p. 186 and XXIV, p. 198; Key X, 4). They also frequently

196 PRACTICAL BOOK OF PERIOD FURNITURE

put a wine cooler, or cellarette to match, underneath the table. At the back of the table, against the wall, they likewise added a metal, usually brass, rail or rails supported on uprights and sometimes further adorned with attached candlesticks. The tables were long and narrow, with four or more legs, according to length, aud of the type already described in the section on tables. The pedestals supporting the knife urns were used as receptacles for sundry dining-room accessories and the whole front was formed of a single door.

MIRRORS

The Brothers Adam would always be gratefully remembered for the mirror frames they designed, even though all their other work were forgotten. In shape the mirrors were vertically or horizontally oblong, round, or oval. The body of the frame was carved and gilt and, in addition, light and graceful embellishments, too airy to be executed in wood, were wrought in compo on a wire core or frame. The graceful Adam urn frequently formed the central ornament (Fig. 1, C) at the top, from which all the other embellishments seemed to radiate. Girandoles and sconces were designed to match and accompany the mirrors. These mirrors were often placed in a formal manner between windows while below them stood a pier or console table (Plate XXin,p. 194).

CLOCKS

Tall case clocks seem not to have occupied the attention of the Adelphi to any great extent. Such clocks as they did design were chiefly of the small mantel or bracket type, and carried out the decorative motifs and forms they commonly employed.

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