What Do Eagle Wood Carvings Represent in Antique Furniture?

The founding fathers of the United States adopted the eagle as a symbol for freedom, stamina, power and higher objective, applying it to the first official seal representing the new country. It instantly became a favored motif on home furnishings from the late 18th century through the present. Its adaptability created the majestic eagle in the home in both formal and informal settings, so wooden eagle carvings started to adorn tables, mirrors and pediments in residences.

The Eagle Soars

On precisely the exact same day that the United States declared its independence as a country, July 4, 1776, the first Continental Congress appointed a three-man committee, consisting of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, to design a seal for the new country. Their design was not accepted, nor was the layout of another committee appointed in 1780. Ultimately, in 1782, a third committee presented a layout featuring an eagle in the crest, and Charles Thompson created a fourth layout that combined elements of all three earlier ideas, together with the eagle front and center. This version, with some revisions by William Barton has been approved in June of 1782, which instantly made its way to decor and furnishings items in the house.

Symbolic Message of the Eagle

The option of the eagle has been an suitable emblem for its fledgling country, since this bird had been previously connected with jurisdiction, power and governments. The Greek god Zeus and the Roman god Jupiter, the most significant leaders of the gods, were symbolized by the eagle. Thompson’s last version of the great seal featured a bald eagle, considered at the time to have a range confined to North America. Eagles were embroidered onto quilts, etched onto tea urns and added to paintings, as a symbol of freedom and strength, as noted by President John F. Kennedy in his letter to the National Audubon Society in 1961, “The fierce beauty and proud independence of the great bird aptly reflects the strength and independence of America.”

Following the Revolutionary War

The Revolutionary War ended in 1783, and the brand new country adopted logos of unity, in public areas and in personal spaces. The easy, elegant form of the eagle became the most dominant emblem in the layouts. The eagle had been recognized as a symbol of military success. A post-war group formed by Continental and French officers — the Society of the Cincinnati — adopted it as their symbol. Named after the Roman warrior Cincinnatus, who rejected a lifestyle of power and returned to simple farm living in times of peace, this group seen the eagle as blending references into the power of Jupiter and the nature of Cincinnatus.

Refining Eagle Designs

Early versions of this eagle symbol depicted an immature, rather awkward bird with a smaller wingspan. In later interpretations the eagle developed into a more majestic, imperialistic beast having a wide, powerful wingspan. Part of this eagle’s continuing popularity stems from its capacity to embellish the formal gilded wood furniture layouts as effectively as a humble butter stamp in a colonial kitchen. Wherever it appears, the eagle conveys a message of patriotism, strength and unity.

Diverse Cultural References

Along with its particular significance in the United States, the eagle often seems as a design theme in different nations. As an example, the day following his coronation in 1804, Napoleon ordered an eagle secured to the peak of every flag team in his army as a symbol of success. The eagle is connected to the sun in several cultures like those of the ancient Aztecs and the Native American peoples of North America. Aristotle and Pliny wrote of the eagle being the only animal capable of gazing directly into the sun. The writers of early bestiaries explained eagles as having the power of eternal youth. Other varied cultures, including those of Rome, Wales, Sumer and Syria associate eagles with death as well as the journeys of souls.

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