English Period Furniture
The Evolution of English Furniture
Throughout the history of furniture, the changing styles have arrived by the conditions ruling at any one time. These conditions may have been the result of:
- The Limits of Knowledge, wood expansion and contraction
- The limits of equipment, only tools and saws
- The Availability of Timber, Local supply, only solid timber
- Economic Conditions, wealthy or not, changes
- Peace or War, determine furniture, immobile, security
- Overseas Influences, trade agreements, incentives
- Reigning Monarch
- A Movement
- A Generic influence
- A Religious Group
Britain had Oak and Beech as it's native timber for furniture production, but with the discovery of new land and the establishment of overseas trade, other timber species suddenly became available:
- Oak 1500-1600
- Walnut 1660-1723
- Mahogany 1715
- Satinwood 1765
Prior to 1500, the Gothic Period, teaching and learning of craftsmanship was mostly overseen by the church. Therefore, most ornamentation on Gothic furniture follows the lines of ornamental stonework from the Gothic Churches and buildings.
The carpenter, blacksmith and the turner made the furniture. It consisted of tables, forms, stools and chests. The chest was the principal piece as it served not only as storage, but also a seat or table. Tables generally were loose boards on top of trestles.
Henry VII, came to the throne following the war
of the roses in 1485, and was the first Tudor monarch.
During this time Britain had found peace and order
not previously known.
Henry VIII succeeded his father in 1509, and inherited
his accumulated treasures. He continued to change
the Gothic style by keeping up his father's interest
in foreign artists and craftsmen. More economical
printing materials were available which allowed
for pattern books from the continent.
The Evolution of English Furniture continued
