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