English Period Furniture

Elizabethan 1558-1603 OAK

Renaissance ideas were entering Britain during this period. Oak was still the main timber used. Strap work carving was popular and cut directly into solid timber furniture.

Furniture legs were mainly bulbous - carved at the top and a gadroon at the bottom with an acanthus leaf.

Chairs were either turned or wainscoted.

Pewter was displayed in buffets or court cupboards.

Beds were very large with carved posts, a canopy and long velvet hangings often with bulbous decoration.

Solid top refectory tables replaced the Tudor trestle tables.

Wealth was reflected in the furniture

Elizabethan Furniture Characteristics

• Heavy bulbous tables - bulbous turning often with much carved ornament such as gadrooning, nulling and acanthus leaves.
• Tables with 4 or 6 bulbous legs with stretcher rails at the bottom as a footrest to keep feet of the floor rushes.
• Melon bulb turning.
• Inlaid fruitwood.
• Elaborate four poster beds with solid or draped testers to protect from draughts.
• Turning was produced using a foot lathe, producing asymetrical objects.
• Court Cupboard - the court cupboard was developed for holding plates and eating utensils. Cupboard space and flat top for serving food. Hardware was handmade and rather conspicous.
• Bible box - the bible box appeared, these were small side chests designed to hold the family bible. They were later made with a slopig top to facilitate writibg and reading. It was the forerunner to the writing desk. They were oak, left natural or finished with oils or beeswax.
  

Draw Table c 1580, bulbous legs