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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.

This was to cover the dovetail joints which were being used for the first time to construct the drawers. Previously drawers were always hidden behind doors. The gate leg table was introduced. Knobs and drawer pulls were often carved.

Many wealthy left England when the civil war broke out in 1642. The building of great houses halted and many of the household staff left for the battlefield.

Farthingdale Chair c 1620

Farthingdale Chair c 1620


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.
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Further Reading and Related Articles on this Topic
Furniture History Contents Louis 14th Louis 15th Louis 16th Evolution of English Furniture (Tudor Gothic) Elizabethan Jacobean Commonwealth Restoration William & Mary Queen Anne Georgian Chippendale Regency Hepplewhite Adam Sheraton Victorian Quality Furniture Books Quality Antique and Collectables Books Furniture Resources Antique Resources Free Interior Decorating Course

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