Beds in the 1890s were commonly styled with wooden headboards and footboards.
During the 1890s, the world was on the brink of a brand-new era, and you can see it reflected in the furniture styles of the day. Wooden headboards and footboards made in the same year may reflect vastly different styles. The traditional furniture styles of the early part of the century began to change dramatically toward the end of the period. Does this Spark an idea?
Arts and Crafts
The Arts and Crafts movement, which first emerged in the 1840s, had gained strong popularity by the 1890s. Arts and Crafts designs were the direct opposite of the embellished, ornate look of Victorian styles that emerged earlier in the century. The style was marked by straight lines and simplistic design. The Arts and Crafts look was especially popular in America. Simple designs were often incorporated into furniture, which was styled with very straight horizontal and vertical lines. Wooden headboards and footboards were square or rectangular in shape, often embellished with simple geometric shapes. Mission beds are reminiscent of the straight lines found in 1890s Arts and Crafts furniture.
Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau means new art. The name fits, because in the 1890s the style was very modern and new. Art Nouveau furniture was more embellished than the straight styles of the Arts and Crafts movement. Stained glass and iron were commonly incorporated into Art Nouveau designs. Many elements of nature were mimicked in Art Nouveau designs. Leaves, flowers and stems were often carved into the furniture. Art Nouveau footboards and headboards were made with asymmetrical lines, in sharp contrast to Arts and Crafts furniture, in flowing and curvy designs.
Other Styles
The Eastlake design movement began to emerge at the end of the 19th century. Somewhat similar to the simplified styles of Arts and Crafts styles, Eastlake furniture was made to look much lighter and thinner than the bulkier Regency-style furniture that was popular in the early part of the 19th century. Low-relief carvings were a main component of Eastlake-style furniture. The carvings were often simple geometric shapes. Eastlake furniture is also known as Cottage furniture. Colonial Revival furniture also become popular in the 1890s.The Colonial Revival style saw a reappearance of the Queen Anne styles popular in the 1700s. Wooden furniture was commonly painted white in homes decorated in the Colonial Revival style.
Types of Wood
Oak was a common choice for furniture made in the 1890s, though birch was also often used. Birch furniture was usually covered with dark mahogany wood. The new carving machines invented in the 1890s led to furniture that was more embellished: Almost anything that could be drawn could also be carved into wooden headboards and footboards. Mahogany and oak furnishings were popular among homeowners in the 1890s. Beds made during this period were most likely crafted with one or both of these woods, if they were not made with metal. Metal beds became very popular during the latter years of the 19th century.
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