Gothic Furniture (1200 - 1425)
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The great cathedrals of the Gothic period were expressions of a new affluence but their interiors contained simple functional, oak furniture. Late in the Gothic period, carved decoration echoing the arched shapes of Gothic architecture appeared.
All houses in the Middle Ages were damp and furniture needed to be raised off the ground to prevent rotting. For this reason, chests from the 12th century onward often had legs.
A few new forms of furniture appeared. these included single and double-tiered cupboards and sideboards with a small storage area on tall legs and a shelf beneath.
By the 15th century, the Low Countries were becoming prosperous through trade and merchants’ homes there became better furnished. "Flanders chests", decorated with a stylised motif representing folded linen, became popular.
Renaissance Furniture (1425 - 1580)
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| The Renaissance in Italy saw the introduction of elaborately decorated chests, rich marquetry, elaborate carving and the use of walnut in place of oak. Florence was famous for marriage chests, painted with romantic scenes, were produced. Portable folding chairs with leather or tapestry seats and chairs with solid, carved backs and solid panels instead of legs were introduced.
During the early Renaissance period, the French courts employed Italian artists who brought Italian furniture designs, but with somewhat richer decoration.
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Feather beds and pillows came into use. In the colder, northern countries, beds were surmounted by a canopy hung from the ceiling
In the 15th century, the southern German cities of Ausberg and Nuremburg became famous for the exuberance and virtuosity of their carved and inlaid cabinets. The earliest cabinets were placed on tables; later, they were made with stands..
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Did you know?
The earliest chests were made by hollowing out tree trunks; and, so, were called "trunks".
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As a result of the War of 1812 between the United States and England, Americans rejected the English Regency style and, instead, followed the French Empire style. As in France, this was bulky furniture with showy use of mahogany and rosewood veneers. But, unlike the French, American Empire made little use of Classical and Egyptian figures and only limited use of brass ornamentation with no ormolu.
