Dates

Historical Dates, Sovereigns, Periods and Influences & Styles of Great Britain

1558	Elizabeth I	Elizabethan
1603	James I	Jacobian	Renaissance
1625	Charles I	Carolean	Baroque 1630-1750
1649	Commonwealth	Cromwellian
1660	Charles II	Restoration
1685	James II	Restoration	Chinoiserie 1680-1770
1689	William & Mary	William & Mary
1702	Anne	Queen Anne
1714	George I	Early Georgian	Rococo 1730-1750
			By the early 1720's the first hint of French Rococo could be seen in England and it was a complete change. The smiths adopted the style with great enthusiasm, as the decoration was so fantastical compared to the plain elegant style that preceded it. The swirling movement of water is one of the main elements of the rococo, along with masks, and naturalistic floral displays. The Shell was a common motif with its frilly fluted edges and crusty surface texture. However, by the 1760's the style had lost its sculptural quality and the work was in danger of becoming quite crude.
1727	George II	Georgian	Gothic Revival 1750-1770
			The Gothic Revival was part spiritual movement, part recoil from the mass produced monotony of the Industrial Revolution. It was a romantic yearning for the traditional, comforting past. The style is ecclesiastical with an emphasis on arches and spires.
1760	George III	Late Georgian	Neo-Classical 1750-1805
			Classical decoration based on Ancient Greece and Rome came into fashion. Swags, urns, wreaths, rams heads, Greek key borders and drop ring handles were in frequent use in silver although often large areas were left unadorned so that the reflective surfaces emphasized the elegance of the shapes and the grace of the proportions.
1820	George IV	Regency	Regency 1811-1830
			The term describes pieces that are often similar to the earlier Neo-Classical style yet are inclined to be pompous and heavy. Often characterized by applied gadroon (rope-twist) borders, with added shells, and floral motifs. Sometimes Egyptian motifs are apparent reflecting the interest at the time of these ancient styles and excessive details.
1830	William IV	William IV	Eclectic 1830-1880
1837	ictoria	ictorian	ictorian, Art & Crafts 1870-1900
			The 18th century passion for antiquarianism continued into the early Victorian era, stimulating a revival of several historic styles that all flourished simultaneously: naturalism was added to the rococo, gothic and neoclassical remained popular. (Gothic refers to an ecclesiastical style of spires, pointed arches and cast figures.) Towards the end of the century there came about the Arts and Crafts movement. It was not only an aesthetic movement but also a social one expressing the widespread dissatisfaction with the quality of mass produced items. An admiration for folk art and for the old guilds of medieval craftsmen was also apparent. The principle beliefs of the Arts and Crafts movement was that items should always be what they seemed, i.e., no jugs disguised as castle turrets, and that the decoration should enhance the piece not conceal it. The hand hammered finish is one of the main characteristics of this style.
1901	Edward VII	Edwardian	Art Noveau 1884-1918