A Brief History of Classic Furniture And How it Has Evolved in Britain ...

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Classic furniture can be defined through a range of styles that have become standard features of homes, while experiencing changes in terms of design and function. Looking at how this furniture has evolved within Britain also provides some insight into how the role of furniture has changed over time. From early forms of medieval to Tudor furniture, through to Victorian and Edwardian designs, this classic furniture acts as the basis for modern designs and antiques.

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Early Periods

Types and uses of furniture were restricted up to about the 16th century in the UK, with medieval furniture typically being purely functional, and often relegated to the homes of the very rich. In the Tudor era of the 16th century, turns towards more elaborate furnishings and the interior of the home as a symbol of power led to designs that drew on Italian Renaissance and classical influences. This furniture included adaptations of Gothic and medieval styles through simple oak beds, chairs and cabinets. Although incorporating elaborate wood panelling, Tudor furniture?s emphasis was on durability and size, making them very rare in terms of antique value.

Elizabethan Furniture

Furniture styles became more elaborate in the early 17th century, with further Italianite influences, and the use of oak and walnut overlapping with more decoration and carvings, as well as palatial styles that conferred status upon home owners. Brass hangings and tapestries also acted as important forms of decoration for the home. While these furniture trends continued into the early Jacobean period of the 17th century, the English Civil War saw a return to more functional Tudor styles. Puritan severity defined a look for cabinets, beds and tables that was influenced by country homes, which was exported to colonies in North America.

Restoration and Carolean Furniture

Furniture styles revived more elaborate designs after the Restoration of Charles II, and into the early Georgian period and Carolean styles. Dutch and French baroques styled shaped furniture for the wealthy, and also incorporated Turkish rugs and tapestries, as well as design influences from the expanding British Empire. Baroque touches shaped the use of small decorative tables and bookcases, as well as expensive lacquered items and claw feet baths and beds.

Georgian Era

Trends for more opulent furniture, at least for the wealthy and emerging middle classes continued into the 18th century, and saw styles incorporate Palladian influences via designers like William Kent, as well as classical derived Rococo styles from the French. Neoclassical coffee stands, and decorated cabinets and tables influenced by travels to the Far East also became important to English furniture, with Chinese decoration and figures being particularly popular.

Victorian Furniture

Classic Victorian furniture became an important symbol of middle class comfort, and led to a diverse series of styles and combination of luxury mahogany and rosewood with Empire styles derived from Japan, as well as country styled Arts and Crafts movements, and Art Nouveau experimentation with furniture as art. The mass production of furniture enabled by the Industrial Revolution also meant that middle and lower class homes were able to incorporate more stylish objects.

Contemporary Value

Classic styles of furniture mixing Gothic and more exotic styles with hard oak antiques and experimental pieces became the basis for popular furnishings in the 20th century. Tudor and Elizabethan furniture is now extremely rare from an antiques standpoint, while Victorian and Georgian furniture is reproduced and used as the basis for elaborate designs that combine traditional styles with more contemporary touches.

Citations:

Patrick Hegarty is a home improvement?enthusiast who finds classic furniture?brings a house alive and recomends Reeve & Co for all your furniture need.

Source: http://www.moderndignity.com/a-brief-history-of-classic-furniture-and-how-it-has-evolved-in-britain/

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