English Period Furniture
Jacobean 1603-1660 OAK
Oak was still the timber used during the reigns of James I and Charles I. The furniture retained many Elizabethan characteristics but the ornament gradually became less prominent.
The ornamentation became smaller, lighter with flatter carving, and carpets were now being introduced.
The changing of women's fashion, in particular their dresses, led to the development of chairs without arms, and upholstery became popular.
Chests disappeared and were replaced with chests of drawers, which often had applied mouldings mitred around the drawer front.
Until 1660 and the restoration of the monarchy, furniture had been made under the Puritan rule and lacked inspiration and reflected increased simplicity. Plain bobbin turning became popular and upholstery reverted to plain leather that was usually held by heavy brass studs.
Farthingale
Chair -this was developed because ladies wore
farthingale hooped skirts, a chair was required
for the women to be able to sit down.
Features of Jacobean Furniture
- Gate Leg
Table - circular, elliptical and rectangular tables
made their appearance.
- Bulbous became oval and
left plain before disappearing altogether.
- Chest
of drawers developed with geometrically designed
applied mouldings.
- Families became less wealthy.
- Simple panel beds.
- "x" chairs with crossed
legs were also common.
- Bible box has legs added to
become a writing desk.
