A chest-on-chest highboy with curvilinear forms, broken pediment, and cabriole legs belongs to which period?

• A. Baroque
• B. Rococo
• C. Neoclassical
• D. Empire

Answer: (B)

Rococo is shown by the light, playful curves and ornate surface treatment that define mid-18th-century decorating. The curvilinear forms and cabriole legs are classic features of Rococo furniture, emphasizing sinuous lines and elegance over straight, heavy geometry. A broken pediment adds a lively, asymmetrical silhouette that Horace typically uses in ornamental details, further signaling the era’s preference for movement and decorative flourish. The chest-on-chest highboy itself fits the period’s preference for tall, richly decorated case pieces used to display fine possessions.

In contrast, Baroque tends toward bold, dramatic mass and symmetry; Neoclassical emphasizes restrained, straight lines and classical motifs; Empire leans into heavy, monumental forms with strong imperial imagery. So the combination of serpentine fronts, delicate ornament, and the broken pediment aligns most closely with Rococo.