HISTORY OF FURNITURE

VISHWAKIRTI BAGHEL
PRIYANKA BODHAK
AVNI BAHETY
PREHISTORIC FURNITURE
The basic features of the era are given as follows :
• When people learned to farm and lived in permanent settlements they
began to make furniture.
• The stone age farmers lived in stone huts with roofs of whalebone and
turf.
• Inside they made stone furniture such as cupboards and beds.
ANCIENT EQYPTIAN FURNITURE
• The dry Egyptian climate and the elaborate burial procedures are in part
responsible for the extant pieces , which include stools , tables , chairs
and couches. In addition , wall paintings give insight into the design of
Egyptian furniture.
• First of the great classical civilizations.
• Egyptians were building palaces, studying mathematics and writing on
papyrus.
• They were great builders and great artists, drawing the inspiration for their
art from nature.
EGYPTIAN HOUSE
• Ancient Egyptian homes of the
poor consisted of a living room, a
sleeping room and a kitchen,
with perhaps one or two cellars
for storage.

• These were built with sun-dried

bricks, or reed matting smeared
with clay . The average house
consisted of four rooms:

• A Houses were small so each

room was multi-purpose.
The houses of the elite followed similar layout to
the small houses, rooms joined by interlinking
corridors gives privilege of separating the public
from the private family quarters.

An audience chamber.

An office

A bathroom with built-in shower area and toilet

Some homes had sunken baths open to the sky.
These quarters provided living, dressing, and
sleeping areas from the rest of the household.
PATRICIAN:
• Only the royal and wealthy people
used furniture.
RANGE:
• stools, chairs ,tables , beds and
chests
VISUAL IMPACT:
• Highly decorative with graphic
elements
SYMBOLIC PRESENTATION:
• Used symbols especially ceremonial
as inlays or painting on the furniture
MATERIAL:
• Ebony wood was mostly used , it
was imported at great expense.
TECHNICAL:
• Excellent craftsmanship and used
plain butt joint.
 OLD KINGDOM FURNITURE :
• There were stools, chests, footrests, small cabinets, small
tables, and even vase stands.

• Four legged stools with animal shaped legs and sturdy

square seats made from concave wood or woven or braided
rushes were important items of the time.

• In the second half of the Old Kingdom, chairs with arms and
backs began appearing..

• Egyptian furniture designs of this age incorporated metal

work and inlay, as well as relief carving, and gilding.
• The Middle Kingdom was further development of earlier trends, with a marked
sophistication evident. Decorative effects such as inlay, paint, gilt, and veneer
became prominent. Popular design motifs included figures of sacred animals
such as cow heads, lion heads, and hippopotamuses.

NEW KINGDOM
• The furniture produced during this period is on a luxurious scale, and is also
evidence of greater woodworking skill..
• In wealthy Egyptian homes chairs appear in greater abundance.
• Folding stools were richly painted in bright colours.
• Small, low tables were often woven from rush.
 EGYPTIAN CHAIRS

• Gold sheathing, ivory inlays, intricate

marquetry, inset jewels and fine stones
were used to decorate ancient furniture
that was often carved to represent
animal forms.
• Chairs sometimes had feet in the shape
of lion's paws or crocodile feet;
• legs and feet were sometimes carved to
simulate the legs of a gazelle
• High backed chairs are seen in many
paintings. These were supplemented
with cushions for comfort.
• commonly incorporated carvings of
flowers, animals or birds.
 STOOLS
• Stools were the most common items
• invented the folding stool.
• used by army commanders in the field,
they became a status symbol, heavily
carved and decorated.
• stools commonly had woven rush seats
 BEDS, HEADRESTS
.
• •They were gently inclined
•A footboard.
•almost all beds featured legs in the form of animal legs,
•The mattress was usually made of wooden slats, plaited
string, or reeds, Sheets were made of linen.
• chests were highly decorated and were
designed for many different purposes: large
chests for storing household items and
linen,
• small ones for storing cosmetics, and
miniature chests with sliding lids and
drawers made to hold jewellery.

chest Alabaster box

 TABLES
• They were used for eating, writing
and playing games.
• They were usually low and easily
moveable.
• the tops were decorated with
marquetry or with inlaid ivory.
• Carved legs, gold sheathing and
ivory inlays were used to decorate
table legs.
• In both design and construction the methods are followed even today .
• In seating and tables, the tenon and mortise construction joint is still in use
although the tenon has been replaces a dowel.
• The sides of delicate boxes and chests were put together by dovetailing
technique.
Tenon mortis joints
Tenon mortis joints
The tenon part of a mortise and
tenon joint is marked out and cut
with the same tools as are used for
the mortise part of the joint.

The mortise gauge is used to

mark the size of the tenon. The
stock of the marking gauge
must be held firmly against the
side of the wood as wit ill have
a tendency to follow the grain
of the wood rather than a
straight line.

The width of the tenon is marked all the way

round the wood. Normally a marking knife is
used to produce a precise line, with the aid of
a try square. A pencil can then be used make
the line stand out
 Tenon mortis joints A firmer or bevel edged chisel can
be used to remove rough edges and
to straighten the tenon. The wood
must always be held in a
woodworking vice as a chisel my
slip if the wood moves. If the
marking out and cutting have been
carried out accurately the mortise
and tenon should fit together
forming a firm joint.
The mortise chisel is carefully
selected. It should be the same width
as the mortise to be cut into the
wood. The fixed spur and the The wood is then
adjustable spur of the gauge are set supported by a bench
to the width of the chisel hook and a tenon saw
is used to finally
remove the waste
wood. This leaves the
shoulder of the joint.
Tenon mortis joints
A tenon saw is used saw down the
gauged lines of the tenon. The wood
is normally held firmly in a
woodworkers vice. When sawing,
take time to check that the saw is
cutting straight down and that it is on
the waste wood side of the tenon.
Tenon mortis joints

Self wedging tenon and mortise joint Skewed tenon and mortise joint

Tenon and mortise joint for fencing Tenon and mortise joint Reinforced with dowel
 Tenon mortis joints

Twin tenon and mortise joint for thick timber Twin tenon and mortise joint

Tusk tenon joint Tenon joint with mitred face

 Tenon mortis joints

Round tenon and mortise joint Open through mortise and tenon joint

Loose tenon and mortise joint Long and short shouldered tenon and mortise joint
 Tenon mortis joints

Haunched tenon and mortise joint

Interlocking tenon and mortise joint for seat
rails of chair to leg

Barefaced blind tenon and mortise joint Wedged through tenon and mortise joint
 Tenon mortis joints

Application of haunched tenon joint to

door frame
Application of haunched tenon joint to
door frame

Angled haunched barefaced tenon and

Corner blind mortise and tenon joint
mortise joint
Tenon mortis joints

Corner through mortise and tenon joint

Blind mortise and tenon joint

Through mortise and tenon joint Wedged through tenon and mortise joint
Dovetailing Details
MESOPOTAMIAN
FURNITURE
• Known as the cradel of all civilisations and had succession of three
great civilisations : SUMER,BABYLON AND ASSYRIA.
• No furniture has survived so we have to depend on its depiction in
works of art which range from tiny cylindrical seals to large scale
bas reliefs
 • Only the king and people with
CHARACTERISTICS authority had a seat to sit
others just stood around .
• Stools, footstools, chairs and
couches were more common
than other pieces like tables.
• High couches were used for
dining and to sleep.
• The chairs were high needing a
footstool due to height of chair
• The table and chairs legs
combine symbolic feature with
realistically carved lion paws.
• They had folding stools with a
cushion on it .
ANCIENT GREEK FURNITURE
• borrowed styles and ideas from Egypt, but by the Classical era, designs
had subtly changed to a style that was uniquely Greek.
• Lines became softer, much use was made of subtle and elegant curves,
and more attention was given to comfort.
• It comprised of stools, chairs , couches ,small tables ,chests .
• Furniture was simple elegant without any excess in form ,material ,
ornament or treatment.
• Being light in weight most of the non ceremonial Greek furniture was
supposed to be carried outdoors and used there.
• Greek furniture styles were simple, elegant and tasteful. Although carving
and inlays were used, furniture was not over-decorated.
• Houses were not cluttered with much furniture, and household items were
made for use and comfort rather than decoration.
 CHARACTERISTICS
•The five main types of furniture in ancient Greece the stools, couches, tables,
chests, and chairs
•Thrones were derived from egyptian and mesopotamian
•They were placed in theaters for magistrates and VIPs .Being outdoor
pieces,these were made of marble,with a round back and solid sides
• couch was treated as an interior fixture, essentially a "built-in" of stone which has
been integrated into the decoration of the room. The low, three-legged table
positioned below the couch here was used to hold food.
 FURNITURE
IN ANCIENT GREEK HOUSES

Greek Furniture was typically constructed out of wood. Though it

might also be made of stone or metal , such as bronze, iron, gold
and silver.
There is 5 main types of furniture and little else :
• Stools
• Couches
• Chests
• Small tables
• chairs
 CHAIRS
ANCIENT GREEK FURNITURE

• Chairs had hard stiff backs and arms. Even the

people depicted in paintings and friezes sitting in
these types of chairs look to be uncomfortable.

• The Klismos was an entirely new type of chair

designed by the Greeks. It’s smooth and flowing. It
is used principally by women, was made with
delicately curved back and legs. These features
allowed the sitter to be in a freer and more natural
position.
 STOOL
ANCIENT GREEK FURNITURE

Two main styles of stools of ancient Greece have survived through reliefs :

1. BATHRON : looks more like what

would today be considered to be a
small table. The typical stool
consisted of a flat top and four
straight legs. There was no back
support and the bottom was hard
and uncompromising.
 STOOLS
ANCIENT GREEK FURNITURE

2. Diphros Okladias : was easily movable

and did not have a specific place in the
home. This folding X-stool was designed by
the Eqyptians. It consisted of three animal
legs pointed inwards and ending with lion’s
paws. It is covered in piles of fleece to
increase sitting comfort.
 STOOLS
ANCIENT GREEK FURNITURE

3. Thronos : or throne, was a type of stool known

only to the wealthy. The Thronos was ornately
decorated and was often times lined with
precious stones. The foot stool . Which was used
for access to couches and other high furniture,
was known as Theyns.
 COUCHES
ANCIENT GREEK FURNITURE

Couches of ancient Greece were combinations of beds and sofas.

This type of furniture, called the Kline, was made for sleeping as well as
dining. During meals Greek diners would lie down rather than sit to eat.
Greek couches were similar to those of the Egyptians except for two
differences :

1. They stood higher off the ground, so much

that a foot stool was sometimes used as a
means of access.
2. There was now a headboard but no
footboard.the height allowed for easier
access to tables and also allowed room
beneath to fit tables. The headboard was
used as a means of back support while
eating.
 TABLES
ANCIENT GREEK FURNITURE

• Tables were low and mostly movable,

credences and drinking tables being
often three-legged ; to create a better
sense of balance. These tables could
be made of bronze or marble, but
typically of wood.
• This type of table was the most
common up until the 4th century BCE
when square topped tables were
relaced with round tops.
 CHESTS
ANCIENT GREEK FURNITURE

• Chests were the only means for

storing clothing because shelves
were generally not used for that
purpose. Jewellery , coverings, and
fruits (predominantly quince) were
hidden alongside the clothing for
protection. Chests were also often
enough to be part of a wife’s dowry.
ROMAN FURNITURE
• Roman cities were planned with
straight roads , running water and
sewers.
• The rich lived in fine villas and the
poor lived in apartment style
buildings.
• Roman adopted all greek furniture
forms and added grandeur ,
ostentation and luxury to them.
• Romans used luxurious materials like
gold , silver, copper,bronze,ivory and
tortoise shell as inlay in various
materials.
• Furniture in roman houses tended to
be sparse, since the occupants liked
space and simplicity in their décor.
Beauty was created by mosaics,
frescos,and water features.
CHARACTERISTICS
• The interior was decorated to suit the tastes and means
of the owner , even the poorer houses had charming
effects.
• Due to stratification of authority type of furniture was
specified to denote ranks.
• The throne in theaters was meant for magistrates and
VIPs.
• The X stool -sella curulis denoted the seat for magistrate.
• Couches were the seats to sit , relax and sleep . They
were provided with a back like the modern period.
• Buffets , boxes , and semicircular
consoles were common.
• Romans did not have upholstered
furniture,but luxurious pillows and
cushions were used
• Curtains and valances rich in
fabric and color were employed.
• The walls of buildings were
beautifully painted.
• The floors were covered with
marble tiles arranged in
geometrical figures with
contrasting colors.
• Tables were done with intricate
carving and fine ornamentation
with mythical figures.
 FURNITURE
IN
MIDDLE AGES
• In the middle ages the great hall was the
centre of a castle but the lord had his own
room above it.this room was called solar.
• In it the lord slept in a bed, which was
surrounded by curtains, both for privacy and t
keep out draughts.
• Medieval furniture remains simple in its décor
and in its shapes as nomadic lords travel from
residency to residency. Although it may
appear large and heavy, the furniture is
transportable and dismountable and mainly
presents square and rectangular forms.
• Pieces often present delicate wood carvings
and ironworks as well as painted leathers,
skins or velvets that protect the wooden
structure. The furniture's ornamentation
reproduces the prevailing recognisable
Roman and Gothic architectural styles.
• Medieval furniture was very basic. Even in a rich household chairs
were rare. Most people sat on stools or benches. Rich people also
had tables and large chests, which doubled up as beds.
• Rich peoples homes were hung with wool tapestries or painted
linen. They were not just for decoration. They also helped keep out
drafts. In the Middle Ages furniture (for the rich) was usually made
of oak.
GOTHIC FURNITURE
• The Gothic styles of architecture , art and furniture
sate from the 12th century through to the 16th
century.
• With the Byzantine influence introduced to Europe
by the crusaders , as well as Islamic and
arabesque elements, furniture and architecture
became more ornate.
• Furniture in the Gothic period was of two types : the
richy ornamented pieces that were used for show,
and the simple, knock-down utilitarian items for
everyday use.
• The pointed Gothic ar h – which by the late Gothic
period was a serpentine arabesque ogee shape,
• The trefoil and quatrefoil – cloveleaf patterns
employing either three or four lobes,
• Crockets – leafy bumps or bosses found on late
Gothic tracery, and
• Finials – multiple crosses or leafy fleur-de-lis motifs
hat capped the pointed arch.
• Gothic furniture craft paved the way for
the Renaissance period to follow, and
many new items of furniture appeared at
this time.
• The armoire for clothes storage, the
buffet for eating utensils, and tables with
drawers were first seen in this period.
• Gothic cabinet furniture progressed a
long way from the simple storage chests
and coffers of earlier times.
• Gargoyles and other horrific mythical
creatures were popular motifs since it
was believed that they would frighten
away evil spirits.
• Gothic bedroom furniture featured massive four poster beds, with
linenfold-carved valences, and heavily carved and decorated posts
and bedsteads.
• Bed coverings and hangings in rich colors completed the elaborate
Gothic bedroom style.
RENAISSANCE FURNITURE
• Renaissance is a French word that means
rebirth.‖ Historians consider the
Renaissance to be the beginning of modern
history.
• It influenced painting, sculpture, and
architecture. Paintings became more
realistic and focused less often on religious
topics.
• Renaissance houses contained large
rooms and high ceilings elaborately
ornamented with painted decorations and
plaster mouldings, usually in a style
imitating or derived from ancient Greece
and ancient Rome.
• Both the decorations and the furniture of
the rooms were intended to create an effect
of richness and magnificence.
• Rich families became patrons and
commissioned great art. Artists advanced
the Renaissance style of showing nature
and depicting the feelings of people.
• a room was judged by the ornamentation
on the ceilings and walls. Little furniture
was used. Sideboards (dressoirs), chests
(cassoni), and wardrobes or clothes
presses (armoires) were designed to
harmonize with the symmetrical
architectural features of the rooms.
• Lavish use was made of wood panelling
and of such features as mullioned windows,
elaborate chimneys, fireplaces, and
mantels.
• Rooms were simple and dignified, with few
items of furniture or accessories.
• Ceilings and walls were decorated with
plaster mouldings or hung with tapestries.
Windows, doors, and the large four-poster
beds of the period were draped with heavy
velvets, damasks, and brocades.
• The lower portion of the walls is decorated with
traditional oak paneling. Above, stucco reliefs
alternate with allegorical frescoes. This was a new
style introduced in this period.
 ITALY
• Italy was the birthplace of the Renaissance. Leonardo da Vinci and Raffaele may be
said to have guided and led the natural artistic instincts of their countrymen, to discard
the Byzantine-Gothic which, as M. Bonnaffe has said, was adopted by the Italians not
as a permanent institution, but "faute de mieux" as a passing fashion.
• The cassone, or marriage coffer (hope chest), was a form on which the craftsman’s skill
was lavished. In addition to elaborate relief work and gilding, these coffers often were
painted on the front and sides and occasionally inside the lid as well, with appropriate
biblical or mythological scenes. Motifs popular with the Italian carver included cupids,
grotesque masks, scrolled foliage, and strapwork. The fixed writing desk is the
forerunner of the writing bureau, which became an indispensable article of furniture as
writing became more general.
 ITALY
• A type of chair called a sgabello was much
favoured at this time in Italy. The seat was a
small wooden slab, generally octagonal,
supported at front and back by solid boards cut
into an ornamental shape; an earlier variety
was supported by two legs at the front and one
in the rear; a solid piece of wood formed the
back. Another chair of the period was the
folding X-shaped chair, sometimes called a
Dante chair. Tables were generally oblong,
supported by columns, consoles (brackets), or
terminal figures, with a long central stretcher
running from end to end. Italian Renaissance
furniture forms reshaped the furniture of the
remainder of Europe.
 FRANCE
• The French Renaissance of furniture can be divided into two stages.
• First was a period of transition and adaptation; the pieces were basically
Gothic in form, and Gothic ornament was mixed with the cupids,
medallion heads, and grotesque decorations of the incoming
Renaissance style.
• During the second phase, The more exuberant arabesque shapes of
Renaissance decoration, however, gave way to increasingly architectural
design, and oak was almost entirely superseded by walnut. Centres of
furniture making were established at Fontainebleau, where Francis I
employed several Italian artists and craftsmen.
• French furniture of the 16th century was remarkably graceful and
delicate; it was enriched with inlay of small plaques of figured marble
and semiprecious stones, sometimes with inlay or marquetry of ivory,
mother-of-pearl, and different coloured woods.
 FRANCE
• Chairs began to be lighter in design; the
back became narrower, the panelled sides
and base were replaced by carved and
turned arms and supports, and legs were
joined by stretchers at their base. A
specialized chair known as a caquetoire, or
conversation chair, supposedly designed
for ladies to sit and gossip in, had a high,
narrow back and curved arms.
• Elaborately carved oblong tables were
supported by consoles or fluted columns
connected by a stretcher surmounted by
an arched colonnade. Chests decorated in
the new style were still widely used,
although frequently replaced by the
armoire (a tall cupboard or wardrobe),
which was sometimes made in two stages,
the upper compartment containing
numerous small drawers. A French Renaissance carved walnut buffet
à deux corps part 16th century
ENGLAND
• The northern style of Renaissance ornament was propagated in England by
pattern books, immigrant workmen, and imported Flemish and German
furniture, and before long it was adapted by English craftsmen into an
individual and peculiarly English style.
• Characteristic of this style is the enrichment of every surface with flamboyant
carved, turned, inlaid, and painted decoration, which strongly reflects the spirit
of the English Renaissance.
• A series of inlaid chests with perspective architectural scenes, often called
nonesuch chests, were either imported from Germany or made by German
workmen in England. They were influential in propagating the technique of
inlaid decoration, which by the end of the century was being applied to every
type of furniture.
• From the box chair evolved a type in which the arms and legs were no longer
filled in with panelling but which had plain or turned legs, with shaped arms
resting on carved or turned supports. The backs of chairs were still panelled
and decorated with carving and inlay or surmounted with a wide and richly
carved cresting.
• Folding chairs, X-shaped and of varying construction, were also used. Chairs
without arms, called farthingale chairs, were introduced in the early 17th
century to accommodate the wide skirts, called farthingales, that were popular
at the time. Farthingale chairs had upholstered seats and a low, rectangular
upholstered back raised on short supports a little above the seat. Armchairs of
similar design were made. Turkey work (a type of needlework) and velvet were
usually employed for upholstery.
• The wainscot chair, an important chair type, has a paneled back, turned
legs, and stretchers. The back decoration varies to include carved motifs
such as the lozenge, Tudor rose, arcaded panel, acanthus, and
strapwork. Usually made of oak with open arms, the chair is often placed
against a paneled wainscot wall. The more visible front legs are more
ornate than the back legs. Cushions are often added for comfort.
• Materials. Most furniture is of
oak. A few Jacobean pieces
are of walnut.
• Seating. Seating includes
chairs, settees, daybeds,
stools, benches, and settles.
Legs may be turned,
chamfered, or fluted. They
usually terminate in bun feet.
Stretchers are plain and close
to the floor.
• There were three main types of chairs are turned
(turneyed or thrown, an old term for turning), X-form
folding chairs, and wainscot chairs. The farthingale chair
or back stool appears at the end of the 16th century.
• Storage. Case pieces include chests for storage,
cupboards for display in the hall or great chamber, and
chests of drawers (introduced from the Continent late in
the 16th century). Early chests of drawers are massive in
scale, and doors conceal the drawers. The court
cupboard consists of open shelves about 48” high. Richly
carved, it displays plate in the hall or great chamber.
Cupboards vary greatly in design.
• Beds. The most common beds are wooden boxes
covered and draped with fabric or draped four-posters.
Some are massive with heavy turned posts and a tester
with architectural moldings. The headboard usually is
heavily carved with architectural and naturalistic motifs.
Sometimes the two foot-posts are detached from the bed
frame to allow draperies to enclose the bed. Because of
the textiles, the bed is the most expensive piece of
furniture in the home
• Decorative Arts. Tableware is made of wood, silver, horn, or glass. From Italy and the
Netherlands comes tin-glazed earthenware. Objects made of silver or gold include
saltcellars, sconces, plates, ewers and basins, flagons, drinking vessels, spoons, spice
boxes, and snuffers. Many are large and elaborately decorated or encrusted with jewels.
Stylistically, silver follows the other arts in slowly adopting Renaissance motifs. Other
accessories are portraits, paintings, and armor. As the English begin their domination of
the seas, imports include Chinese porcelains, Venetian glass, and metal work from
different countries.
EMPIRE STYLE
ENGLISH STYLE
ENGLISH STYLE
1. JACOBEAN
ENGLISH STYLE
2. WILLIAM AND MARY
ENGLISH STYLE
3. QUEEN ANNE
ENGLISH STYLE
4.GEORGIAN (CHIPPENDALE)
ENGLISH STYLE
5.GEORGIAN (HEPPLEWHITE)
THANK YOU