American Furniture of the 18th Century: History, Technique, Structure

Jeffrey P. Greene

Reviewed by:

Charles L. Driggs

This book is a visual delight and a good read. It is divided into three sections, with the first providing a history and evolution of American furniture styles of the 18th century, the second providing some fairly detailed explanation of the cabinetmaker’s more difficult techniques. Want to carve cabriole legs in the Goddard / Townsend style? Want to carve a Newport shell? This book shows you how, step by step. The third section shows construction details of 24 pieces, predominantly those of the Newport RI cabinetmakers that have produced some of the world’s most valuable furniture, judging by auction results.

Greene is a cabinetmaker who produces and sells Newport reproductions in a retail shop on the waterfront in Newport (his workshop is elsewhere). If you get a chance to visit there, be sure and stop in. He does very nice work, using predominantly hand tool methods, and that’s why a Galoot would be particularly interested in this book. List price of the book is a little elevated, but some online booksellers have also offered this book at clearance prices in recent years. If you like 18th century styles, English or American, this may be a good book to add to your library.