Blackchisel Restoration

The History of Furniture

During the reign of Louis XVI,  furniture makers are looking back into the classical designs and forms. That is the second time, since a Renaissance period, when inspiration is coming from the past. Discovery of Pompeii and Herculaneum brings Antiquity back into fashion. This "turn - back " was sort of reaction to Baroque and Rococo with their curves and ornaments. Symmetry, taste for nature and harmony is taking place in furniture forms. In France, Georges Jacob founds a dynasty of Cabinet -makers. In Germany, David Roentgen in his factory, hiring about 100 workers, as a first was able to create series of furniture - sort of production line known in today's modern factories.

The History of Furniture continued

As mentioned before, general characteristics of the Golden age of Furniture Making are ; Fantasy - asymmetry, an abhorrence of  straight lines - curved ( "s" shaped) elements  used instead, well balanced profiles and rich decoration. Chest of drawers, powdering tables -Chiffoniers, study arm chairs and card tables (Backgammon Tables) are the examples of new original pieces.

The history of furniture continued

The real re - awakening of learning and appreciation of Classical forms, both Roman and Greek was marked by Renaissance, born in Italy. Its  influence was visible in all form of arts. From architecture to the furniture. That influence spread trough Europe, causing breakaway from Gothic tradition. Many discoveries and developments in different trades did raise them to a higher level. There is growing interest in furniture making and increasing number of new manufactures. The new tool - a saw for making veneers is developed in half of 16th century and adopted in woodworking shops.

The history of furniture continued

Over the turn of first and second thousand AD, under influence of East ( Byzantium, Arabia), a Roman -" Romanesque" style was created and spread in furniture making. "Roman" interiors weren't very fancy. A few pieces of furniture. Only a few examples of castle and church furniture survived. They are, beside a drawings, only source of information about itself. They were heavy, massive and primitive. Elements were straight and joined at 90 degrees, what gives an idea about disregarding anatomy of man - example, straight, uncomfortable chairs. Characteristic pieces are chests - trunks, made from hewn logs, reinforced with metal hardware, with a geometrical design, chairs, benches and tables, made from spruce or oak logs - "riven", or hewn, or turned posts. Often decorated with paintings in a bright colors. Chest was the most important item, served as a storage for clothes, weapons and valuables, also used as a seat, long before chairs, which only the wealthy could afford. Chairs were often reserved for the head of the house, or ceremonial purpose. Equipped with handles, the chest was converted to a traveling trunk, and often serve as a bed. Biggest changes are noticed in bed design. From narrow sofas with a headrest, they transformed into shallow box, between four posts - more of carpentry than furniture making. Elements are joined together with a single mortise and tenon joints, secured with metal or wooden pins. Generally, they are similar to designs from previous epoques,  (Byzantium), but more primitive. In mid 13th century, roman style gave a space to fast developing Gothic furniture making.

The history of furniture

According to some, the history of furniture really begins at the beginning of 16th century -Renaissance. They are right. Renaissance marked the re- awakening of learning and its influence in all the arts. In architecture- visible appreciation of the Classical forms -Roman and Greek. "Awakening" effect covered whole Europe, from Italy to Britain. Especially in isolated Britain, we can notice breakaway from Gothic tradition, influencing all forms of art and architecture. The history of furniture however, begins much earlier.