English Renaissance: Furniture and Decorative Arts

Types include seating, tables, storage pieces, and beds.  Rooms have little furniture, and it lines the walls when not in use.  Most furniture is made of oak, a few walnut.  In the 16th century, Flemish craftsman reintroduce board construction, which uses dovetails to make wide pieces and enables makers to use veneer.  Carbing and inlay are main types of decoration. 

Three main types of chairs are:

Turned- turneyed or thrown, an old term for turning

X-form folding chairs

Wainscot- panel-backed. 

Daybeds appear in the 16th century.  It is a modern term for a long seat with a fixed or adjustable end, which resembles a chair back. 

During the Elizabethan period, permanent table tops replace removable ones, and the drawtop (leaves pull out on either side to extend the top) in introduced.  The main table form is long, narrow and rectangular.  Top edges are gadrooned.  The gate-leg table becomes common in the early 17th century. 

Case pieces include chests for storage, cupboards for display in the hall or great chamber, and chests of drawers. 

Typical beds are wooden boxes covered and draped with fabric or draped four-posters.  The headboard is richly carved with architectural and naturalistic motifs.  Because of the textiles, the bed is the most expensive piece in the home. 

Textiles- Wealthy homes often have chairs, stools, settees, and footstools completely covered with fabric and richly embellished.  Large cushions may be used for sitting on the floor.  Silk or wool damask or velvet cushions are trimmed with gold or silver lace, embroidery, braid, cord, and tassels. 

Tableware is made of wood, silver, horn, or glass.  Tin-glazed earthenware comes from Italy and the Netherlands.  Other accessories are portraits, paintings, and armor.  Oriental rugs, porcelains and crewelwork appear in their homes.

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