The Victorian period in England was named for Queen Victoria who enjoyed the longest reign in English history. The period extends for sixty four years, from 1837-1901, and was a time of major changes in England. When the period began, England was mostly an agrarian society, and when it ended it was almost totally industrialized. Victorian came to be the name given to many things in this time frame. It referred to architecture and art, but also to the social and moral changes that took place during this period. It is said that this was a time of as rapid social changes as our era is of rapid technological change.

What is the most surprising thing about the period is that despite the great variety of ground breaking social ideas and scientific advances of the time, the people became very stuffy and proper. The furniture theme followed this trend rather than the free thinking trend. Victorian furniture, in a word, was stuffy. This was best illustrated with chairs of the time that actually had large puffy cushions that were stuffed. The theme is marked by a rather out of control sense of what is ornate. Carvings and thematic carvings were typical, but it tended to be willy nilly rather than following the motifs that marked earlier and even later themes.

It was a time of denial and repression and this was reflected in the materials used. Wood was almost exclusively used with very little metal. The darkest woods available were usually the first choice. Dark mahogany with a reddish tint added was the favorite. Rosewood, black walnut, and bog oak were alternate choices. Cabinets were large and solid, as were tables and beds.

The theme spread across Europe during the period, and also to America. Although it made some inroads in the United States prior to the Civil War and influenced some of the more native themes, it never really took hold as it did in England. One of the biggest influences that Victorian theme furniture had was in its rejection by many furniture makers who searched for replacement themes. This search led to the introduction of the Art-Nouveau theme, and a revival of Gothic theme. It was almost as if furniture makers were looking for anything to replace Victorian.

Today, the Victorian era is viewed as a period where feelings were repressed, and its furniture is seen as a reflection of this. It is very much a theme of the past. In fact, Victorian theme furniture is often what one thinks of when they hear the word antique. Despite this reproduction Victorian furniture continues to be made, and collectors avidly search for rare original pieces in high price auctions or flea markets. Usually, these pieces will be used in home decoration as an interesting accessory rather than a theme.