Empire

A period of design during the reign of Napoleon I. It was most prevalent between 1800 and the late 1820s. It was considered the second wave of neoclassicism and marked a return to ostentatious design, a departure from the more conservative Directoire period that directly preceded it. It was intended to idealize the majesty of the French state and Napoleonic rule. Mahogany was the most popular wood during the period, and brass ornamentation and dark marbles were in vogue. Greek, Roman, and Egyptian motifs were also widely used. The style spread throughout Europe and appeared in America in some of Duncan Phyfe's work.

Lithograph

A method of printing that employs a smooth plate made of stone or metal onto which an image or text is painted with a water resistant substance such as wax, fat, or oil before an ink is applied. The plate is used as a stamp to reproduce the artwork or text. It was originally invented in 1776 by German author/actor Alois Senefelder as a cost-effective method of reproducing theatrical works and remains a popular method for fine art reproduction.

Neo-classic

Neo-classic refers to the second revival of classic design for interior decoration in the 18th century. This style was inspired by excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum that begun in 1738. Common motifs include dolphins, lyres, and urns.