Historic periods of English furniture
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Historic periods of English furniture
Antique furniture
Since the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, and the ascent of Charles II to the throne, English furniture has come into its own, says furniture expert Albena Kirilov, moving into a period where its high quality was universally acknowledged by the middle of the 18 century.
This was the start of the ‘mahogany revolution’, when a flow of the most ornate and brilliantly carved furniture yet seen in England was produced. As the Georgian era progressed, England found itself with a wealthier and more knowledgeable lower middle class imbued with a burning desire to ‘keep up with the Joneses’ of that period. To do this they wanted the trimmings that came with wealth.
It was the age of great furniture designers such as Chippendale, Adam, Hepplewhite, and Sheraton, whose names are well known to this day. Fashions may have gone through various trends since then, but the importance of excellence, of inspired design, and immaculate craftsmanship, instilled by these masters, has not been lost in the process.
To know the future, of course, you must understand the past, and in this article, Albena takes us on a well-documented journey from the utilitarian furniture of Tudor times through to furniture of the Victorian era. It is a fascinating glimpse into the past, invaluable for the keen collector.
Tudor
The Tudor period in English history begins with the ascent to the throne of King Henry VII in 1485 and ends with the crowning of Queen Elizabeth I, this event signifies the end of the Middle Ages in Britain and supposedly the historic beginning of the English Renaissance.
Tudor Furniture
Early Tudor furniture was very similar to the Medieval furniture and Gothic furniture periods preceding it. Ordinary people had very few furniture possessions and even in the large houses of the wealthy there would be only beds, benches, stools, tables, and coffers. Chairs were reserved for the owner of homes when presiding over meals in the hall - their guests made do with joint stools.
Tudor Antiques
Tudor antiques are exceptionally rare and are mostly found in museums and great houses with some highly expensive furniture appearing in the marketplace.
Elizabethan
Queen Elizabeth I belonged to the Tudor line of English royalty and played such an important role in her young country's fortunes that her time is signified by her name rather than that of her father, King Henry VIII. Elizabeth Tudor came to the throne in 1558 and reigned until 1603.
Elizabethan Furniture
The Elizabethan era of English furniture history saw a gradual absorption of the Gothic tradition, dominant in the Tudor furniture period, into a native English version of the Renaissance movement, particularly that part of the Renaissance as had developed in Holland, Germany, and the Flemish lands.
At the end of Elizabeth's time, a highly decorative and architectural style had become established among wealthy and fashionable persons of the period derived from the Flemish Renaissance but applied with perhaps less knowledgeable artistry than it had obtained on the continent.
Elizabethan Antiques
Elizabethan antiques are exceptionally rare and are mostly found in museums and great houses with some highly expensive furniture appearing in the marketplace.
Jacobean
The Jacobean era is named after King James I who ruled from 1603 until 1625. James 1 belonged to the Stuart family as did his son and successor King Charles I, reigning from 1625 until 1649.
Jacobean Furniture
The early Jacobean furniture period inspired much of the early American furniture of the pilgrims (in America Jacobean style furniture is often called Pilgrim furniture), it was similar to Elizabethan furniture made of oak and of a solid, sturdy construction. Early Jacobean furniture had still not fully embraced European influences. Later Jacobean styles were influenced by the greater use of padded upholstery, embroidery, and carving.
Jacobean Antiques
Jacobean antiques are also exceptionally rare and mainly found in museums and great houses, with choice pieces of furniture occasionally appearing in the marketplace.
Charles II – Restoration/Carolean Period
Charles II ascended to the throne in 1660 bringing to an end England's republic and the return of monarchy.
Charles II and his court had spent years in exile in the fashionable centers of France and Holland and had learned to admire the styles of furniture. On their return to their homeland, they transplanted French and Dutch baroque tastes to London and English furniture. Elaborate furniture of the European continent, particularly that belonging to the Louis XIV Baroque style, spread into the homes of wealthy Londoners. The pieces were veneered, gilded, marquetry-inlaid and lacquered. However, in provincial areas of England, country furniture continued to be made of oak in the semi-Gothic Jacobean style.
Charles II's furniture was made in great variety and quantity. It can be found today and remains popular in the marketplace.
William and Mary
William and Queen Mary ruled England from 1688 to 1702. William of Orange was Dutch and a great deal of Dutch influences entered English furniture.
William and Mary Furniture
William and Mary furniture was very decorative. Large numbers of Dutch cabinet makers and craftsmen came to England; they were regarded as very skillful in furniture design and decoration which brought England closer to the major movements of furniture in Europe. There was much use of ornate decorative effects on surfaces such as veneering, parquetry, lacquer, and marquetry, with walnut now the timber of choice for the cabinet maker.
William and Mary Antiques
William and Mary pieces have survived in some number although they demand a high price when found in the marketplace.
Queen Anne
Queen Anne of England reigned from 1702 – 1714 and in this age, English baroque furniture hit the peak of its history.
Queen Anne furniture was the start of the English movement of self-styled furniture which competed happily alongside that of our French and Dutch neighbours. English furniture started to become elegant, well-proportioned, and decorated. Walnut was still the main timber used. The claw and ball foot made its appearance in English furniture design; lacquered work was very decorative and elaborate also during this period.
Queen Anne pieces have survived in some number, but still demand a high price when found in the marketplace.
Georgian
The Kings George I, II, and III period spans from 1714 – 1811 and together their reigns are known as the Georgian period.
Georgian furniture
The early Georgian period kept with the styles that had come from the Queen Anne period and continued in popularity, but underwent modifications of its own.
The most important change that occurred was the replacement of walnut by mahogany. Mahogany had first been observed on a voyage in 1595 by the carpenter on board Sir Walter Raleigh’s ship. It was admired as one of the many wonders of the Indies and on very rare occasions used. In the early/mid part of the 18th century, mahogany rapidly won favour among cabinet makers due to it being very strong, long-lasting, and having close-grained wood; the rich dark red colour was well sought after. The lifting of taxes on mahogany imports by Prime Minister Sir Robert Walpole in the mid-18th century was the start of the mahogany revolution.
It was the start of fantastic British furniture
Carving of the highest quality was used in seating furniture, a carved eagle’s head or sometimes scroll form was favored for the termination of the arms. Furniture was ornate, with lavish carving and golden ornamentation; it was sculpture-like and could just as easily have been carved out of stone as of wood. Motifs used were the lion mask, the satyr or human mask, the acanthus, the claw, and ball foot, the scroll foot, and the paw foot. It was the start of fantastic British furniture. The Palladian-style furniture made much use of elaborate pediments, masks, and sphinxes. As the Georgian period progressed, Britain had a wealthier and more knowledgeable lower upper class that wanted the trimmings that came with wealth. This is the real boom for the English Cabinetmaker.
The age of the great designers had started. Chippendale, Adam, Hepplewhite, and Sheraton helped create masterpieces that are being recreated up to the present day. They sold publications of their designs and the first of Chippendale’s sold for the large sum of £2. 8s.
As the Georgian period progressed so did the furniture. It formed a distinct contrast with that of the earlier period as a new simplicity and severity of form was sought. In general, curved lines became straight, ornament was abundant and sometimes intricate, but of a less robust character and was usually painted inlaid or applied in low relief.
Georgian antiques have survived in large numbers due to the quality of the craftsmanship and timbers used, they have mellowed with age and matured with beauty and will sit happily in the smallest home to the largest mansion and will be admired by all.
Regency
Regency is a term used to describe a style in English decoration and furniture of which successive phases extended over rather more than the first quarter of the 19th century. The term is loosely applied, the period to which it refers does not coincide with that of George, Prince of Wales (1811 - 1820) nor does the style reflect the personal taste of the Prince Regent during those years.
Regency Furniture
Regency furniture took one step further from the neoclassical antique style seen in Robert Adam Furniture and his descendants in later Georgian times. While previously the antiques of the ancient civilizations of Greece and Rome were a source of inspiration for furniture designers, in the Regency period attempts were made to make actual copies of ancient furniture, and there was a new interest in the heritage of Egyptian furniture. Regency-style furniture has plain, slender, elegant lines and avoids shapes and curves for surfaces. The use of carving and elaborate forms of decoration and ornament-like marquetry declined. There is a great deal of brass work employed and much use of rosewood and zebrawood because they allowed striking use of colour in veneers, alongside mahogany, which was still the wood of choice. Woodworking machines were adopted to cut costs of manufacture, French polishing came to be used extensively. During the end of the Regency period, Gothic and Chinese styles underwent a revival.
As with Georgian antiques, Regency pieces have survived in large numbers due to the quality of the craftsmanship and timbers used. They have mellowed with age and matured with beauty and will sit happily in the smallest home to the largest mansion to be admired by all.
Victorian
Years before Victoria became Queen, English society was becoming Victorian, reaction, political unrest, and the Evangelical Revival all played their part in the change, but a major cause was the growing importance of the middle classes. In 1832 the Reform Bill was passed, setting the middle classes on the road to political power. From now on their standards and values were to be a major influence.
For the first time, ordinary comfort is becoming the determining factor in the design and making of furniture. With a great increase in the number of middle-class homes, more furniture was needed and it was made in an abundance of styles, but again for the first time in history, it was with the desires of the consumer. Furniture was serious, it was more imposing, rounded, with ample ornament, decoration, curving, and gloss, turned legs replaced the straight legs of earlier periods. Furniture was mainly made in mahogany and rosewood with the revival of oak (Victorian Gothic) and lacquered furniture. This was the start of the furniture manufacturing industry employing thousands and thousands of people.
Available in many different forms and sizes, affordable for everyone.
Collecting Antique Furniture
Most people get started collecting antique furniture through inheritance -- You know, an older person in your family passes on and their furniture is passed on to the relatives. Most of the time the passed-on goods are not quality antiques, but on occasion, great pieces can be procured this way and it is the cheapest way to get started. Once you have decided you may have an interest in antique furniture, feed that interest. Visit all types of antique shops and auction houses. Listen carefully to other people as they discuss a particular piece. Don't just glance at furniture - watch as experienced people turn it over, feel it, and examine it. The more you LOOK and LISTEN, the more you learn. Find a reasonably priced piece and BUY IT! This helps feed one's interest. People are often reluctant to become involved in a purchase, but this is the best way to build interest and accelerate the learning process for the next purchase.
Remember, buy what you like and chances are that someone else will like it too when and if the time comes to sell.