How to Spot Sheraton Furniture

Review books showing photographs of Sheraton furniture to familiarize your eye with its delicate details.

Look for these neoclassical motifs on the furniture̵2;the acanthus leaf, the circle, the drapery swap, lattice, shell, lyre, urn, star and eagle. Sheraton loved to decorate the surfaces of his work (Hepplewhite furniture is much less decorated). Motifs will be carved into the wood, painted or defined by flat inlay.

Look for inlay, banding of veneered woods, marquetry details and delicate multi-colored veneers paired with the motifs. Sheraton used tigerwood (also called zebrawood), rosewood, tulipwood and satinwood along with a wood called amboyna. Sheraton preferred mahogany and satinwood as the dominant woods in his pieces.

Examine the shape of the furniture. Sheraton sloped the arms of chairs from the back, down toward the front of the frame and connected the arm with the posts at the front of the seat. The general appearance of all Sheraton furniture is graceful and and even the support structure of the furniture is refined and delicate.

Review the legs of pieces. Legs should be tapered̵2;sometimes tapered, fluted and round and sometimes tapered and square. Sheraton legs will look almost disproportionate, almost spindly, compared to the rest of the furniture piece.

Look for delicate decoration at the tops of breakfronts and tall cabinets. Sheraton used spires and delicate carving at the top of these pieces. Glass doors often had thin, delicate patterns in wood that the glass was fitted between.

Check the joinery and hardware of the piece. Original Sheraton pieces are always joined using the dovetail and its hardware will always be brass.