| Early in the 18th Century, the bureau developed | | | | more or less solid triangular base beneath the central |
| further still, incorporating mirrored doors, often | | | | pillar with a ball or lion paw foot at each corner. This |
| domed, into the cabinet above the writing flap. The | | | | might be topped with marble, a fashion imported |
| mirroring reflected light onto the writing surface so | | | | from Italy, sometimes even with a porphyry centre |
| did serve some practical purpose as well as | | | | or similar surrounded by specimens of marbles around |
| decorative.Chairs too, were changing dramatically; | | | | the outside. The different colours of the marbles |
| from the rather square shapes of the previous | | | | gave a lovely decorative effect, without being too |
| century, they were evolving into a rather more | | | | fussy.By 1770, the Rococo period in England was |
| curved and rounded effect. The backs had moulded | | | | drawing to a close, replaced by the neoclassical style, |
| frames, within which was a shaped vertical piece | | | | which reintroduced designs from ancient Greek and |
| (splat) and the seats were upholstered and framed. | | | | Roman times, such as garlands, urns and the Greek |
| The legs were curved or a delicate "S" shape (known | | | | key pattern. This style was simpler in form than |
| as cabriole).Even the fashion in materials was | | | | previously seen, with the cabriole leg gradually |
| changing, with mahogany imported from the Spanish | | | | disappearing and being replaced with tapering or |
| colony of San Domingo in the West Indies | | | | fluted legs. Carving was less prevalent as a form of |
| superseding Walnut as the wood of choice.The | | | | decoration but the surface of the item received |
| middle of the 18th Century saw the French rococo | | | | great attention, with ornate veneers coming to the |
| style exerting its influence on English furniture. | | | | fore.Following the success of the tripod table, the |
| Rococo was lighter and more elegant that the | | | | latter part of the 18th Century saw the advent of |
| preceding Baroque French style and incorporated | | | | the dining table and the sideboard. Sideboards were |
| such decorative shapes as shells, flowers, foliage and | | | | often bow-fronted, containing drawers and tables |
| scrolls. In addition, the Far Eastern styles, having | | | | were predominantly of the pedestal variety, with |
| flagged somewhat in popularity at the beginning of | | | | several sections being slotted together. Each section |
| the century, once again became fashionable. Furniture | | | | had its own pedestal with three splayed legs, |
| began to bear designs such as pagodas and birds, | | | | sometimes tipped with brass castors. In this period, |
| originally only seen on items of porcelain.New in the | | | | satiwood became increasingly popular, although |
| design department was also the tripod table with a | | | | mahogany was still commonly in use.1790 began the |
| circular top, intended for serving tea. The top usually | | | | Sheraton period which was to continue until 1805 and |
| folded down for easy storage when not in use and | | | | saw the publication of Thomas Sheraton's book The |
| was often highly decorated, shaped and carved with | | | | Cabinetmaker's and Upholsterer's Drawing Book. |
| elegant cabriole legs.In addition, circular centre tables | | | | Sheraton furniture was typified by simple designs, |
| were introduced. These were more permanent than | | | | clean lines and classical decoration. |
| those with the folding tops, sometimes having a | | | | |