Console Cabinets

Console cabinets, like those of Hepplewhite, were also designed by Sheraton. It is often impossible to distinguish the designs of the one from those of the other, except in cases where the character of ornament lends a supposition to one rather than the other.

Fire Screens

Fire screens on poles supported on tripods were designed by Sheraton and were extremely graceful in pattern. He also ingeniously contrived fire screens supported on spreading legs at either end, which might be converted into writing desks.

Wash-Stands

Sheraton designed so many wash-stands that it is desirable to make some note of them. They were often made with folding tops concealing the bowl or else were made with marble tops, the bowl and pitcher being placed upon them.

Mirrors And Clocks

Mirror frames and clock cases occupied little of Sheraton's attention. What has been said of the prevalence of mirror designs and types of clocks in the Hepplewhite chapter applies with equal force in this place.

Materials

Sheraton had a full range of materials from which to choose in the designs for his furniture.

Mahogany of a peculiarly dark rich colour was used for a great deal of the chair- and cabinet-work where other materials were not to be used in combination. The mahogany used for veneer to be combined with satinwood and other woods was generally of a lighter colour and was often exquisitely feathered or clouded (Key XIV, 5, and Plate XXXI, p. 236).

Satinwood was also largely used in the execution of Sheraton furniture designs, especially where the surface was to be adorned with painting (Plate XXXIII, p. 244) or where pleasing inlay effects were required.

Beech was used for chairs and settees that were to be painted or Japanned (Key XIII, 5).

Sycamore or Harewood was also used for some of the furniture.

Pine was often used as a base to support veneer.

Amboyna, Thuja, and Kingwood were used for veneer.

Tulip, Holly and Ebony were used for the most part as inlays or banding.

Rosewood was used sometimes for mouldings, and both rosewood and kingwood were used for banding.

Decorative Processes

The decorative processes employed in the execution of Sheraton furniture were carving, turning, inlay and marqueterie, Japanning, lacquer, veneer, painting and gilding. It is to be especially noted that Hepplewhite made large use of painting as a decorative resource in adorning his more elegant furniture. Sheraton, on the contrary, much preferred veneer and inlay for the same decorative purpose rather than the more perishable medium of paint, and the Sheraton designs involved greater ingenuity in the employment of inlay. Of course painting similar to that employed in Adam and 17

Hepplewhite designs was also contemplated by Sheraton, but his preference is always for the former process. Such furniture of Sheraton design as was lacquered was of excellent character, the lacquer being superior to that which had been used earlier in the century. At this time a distinction must be drawn between the terms "Japanning" and "lacquering." At an earlier date they had been synonymous, but in the latter part of the eighteenth century Japanning simply meant applying a ground coat of paint on which decorations were applied. The carving designed by Sheraton was extremely delicate and dignified. In his chair, table and sideboard designs, Sheraton showed a peculiar fondness for reeding and fluting, both of which are shown in close combination on the arm and top rail of the chair back in Fig. 9.

Chair Back showing use of both Reeding and Fluting close together.

Fig. 9. Chair Back showing use of both Reeding and Fluting close together.