Jacobean Furniture, 1603-1690
- Introduction. First of all, let’s explore the origins of the word “Jacobean.” The Jacobean era refers to the period in English and Scottish history that coincides with the reign of ...
- History. This era was a busy time for the United Kingdom and for America. ...
- The Changing Face of Furniture. ...
- Design and Joinery. ...
- Jacobean Furniture in America. ...
What is Jacobean furniture?
Jacobean furniture refers to the styles of England influenced by the reign of King James (roughly 1603-1625), which is known as the Jacobean era.
What is the difference between Jacobean and Renaissance?
Jacobean furniture continued along the path started under Elizabeth; it was more influenced by Renaissance ideas and moved further from England's medieval traditions. Jacobean furniture was often geometric and symmetrical, with a strong influence on rectilinear shapes and lines.
What is the difference between Jacobean and Tudor?
Jacobean furniture was also still somewhat medieval in many ways. It was lighter than Tudor furniture, but still heavy and bulky by the standards of other Europeans. It also tended to be very grounded, both visually and physically. So, it was more a transitional style.
What is Elizabethan furniture style?
Whether from any of these causes or from purely commercial ones, what became part of the Elizabethan furniture style was the top-heavy and overloaded Dutch cabinet and the table with big columnar legs capable of upholding mighty serving dishes, and both covered with Flemish ornament.
How can I tell if my furniture is Jacobean Revival?
Jacobean furniture was often geometric and symmetrical, with a strong influence on rectilinear shapes and lines. It was straightforward in design but decorated with carvings of classical or intricate geometric motifs.
When was Jacobean Revival furniture made?
1870sThe Jacobean Revival started in the 1870s and combined the trend for factory-made furniture with the Jacobean period. The designs were adaptations of 17th century Jacobean strapwork, and the furniture details would be wide and flat, with ornamental moulding twisted into the designs.
What decor style is Jacobean?
The Jacobean Age takes its name from Jacobus, the Latin form of King James I of England. This style of 17th century decor is best known for intricate carvings, heavy oak furniture, detailed tapestries and especially crewel embroideries with flowing designs.
Is Jacobean Renaissance?
The Jacobean style is the second phase of Renaissance architecture in England, following the Elizabethan style. It is named after King James VI and I, with whose reign (1603–1625 in England) it is associated.
Why is it called Jacobean furniture?
Although named for James I, the Jacobean period is thought by some historians to have extended throughout most of the 17th century. The Jacobean style is characterized by English, early Renaissance architecture and decor.
How can I tell what style my antique furniture is?
One of the best ways to identify an antique style is by observing the piece's legs and feet. Early 17th-century furniture typically featured bun- or ball-style feet. Ball- and claw-style feet are typical of 18th-century furniture, particularly Chippendale, although Thomas Chippendale did not create the design.
Is Jacobean medieval?
Reclaimed Medieval and Jacobean doors. The Jacobean era refers to the period in English and Scottish history that coincides with the reign of James VI of Scotland (1567–1625), who also inherited the crown of England in 1603 as James I. Here at Historic doors we have a selection of doors of all shapes and sizes.
Is Jacobean a Tudor?
Jacobean style is English Early Renaissance architecture and decoration. It formed a transition between the Elizabethan (Tudor) and the pure Renaissance style later introduced by Inigo Jones during James's reign (see Banqueting House).
What Colour is Jacobean?
Jacobean is an interior wood stain color in our Brown & Tan wood stain color family. Great when used to stain doors, cabinets, hardwood floors or stairs, it is sure to look beautiful in your next wood staining project.
What comes after the Jacobean era?
The Caroline era followed the Jacobean era, the reign of Charles's father James I & VI (1603–1625), overlapped with the English Civil War (1642–1651), and was followed by the English Interregnum until The Restoration in 1660.
When did the Jacobean era start and end?
March 24, 1603 – March 27, 1625Jacobean era / Period
What are the characteristics of Jacobean Age?
What are the characteristics of the Jacobean Age? Literature written during this period was often dark, tended to question the social order, and included some of the best tragedies in the English language. Poets wrote sonnets, used conceits, and the metaphysical poetry movement flourished.
What is Jacobean Revival style furniture?
The Jacobean Revival style is definitely not minimalist. Known for its ornate elements, this style originated in England in the early 1600s, and commonly featured wood carvings, extravagant silhouettes and dramatic style elements in contrast to the simple and functional furniture of the preceding eras.
How old is Edwardian furniture?
The Edwardian era lasted between 1901 and 1910 for nine years. Within that short time, Edwardian furniture had considerably shifted from the heavily ornamented Victorian style. In addition to using lighter colors, furniture makers used newer materials like bamboo and wicker.
How do I know if my furniture is William and Mary?
William and Mary furniture was dark and dramatic, but also thin and lightweight, with elegant curves and opulent lacquers. Aesthetically, it was influenced by the Dutch and Flemish traditions of William's homeland, as well as the Baroque movement in art. In fact, this style is also known as Early Baroque furniture.
What kind of furniture did the Elizabethans have?
Elizabethan Furniture Characteristics Heavy bulbous tables – bulbous turning often with much carved ornament such as gadrooning, nulling and acanthus leaves. Tables with 4 or 6 bulbous legs with stretcher rails at the bottom as a footrest to keep feet of the floor rushes. Melon bulb turning. Inlaid fruitwood.
What were the features of Jacobean furniture?
One of the special features of Jacobean furniture was the use of upholstery on furniture like chairs. Gateleg table was a Jacobean invention. These were made either in circular, rectangular or elliptical shapes. During this period, the embellishment gradually became simpler and smaller, chests of drawers took the place of chests.
What were the shapes of chairs in the Jacobean period?
The legs of tables and chairs were perpendicular. Earlier, the legs of the tables were bulb-shaped. The ‘X’ shaped chair was a typical feature of the Jacobean period.
What were the Jacobean beds like?
The Jacobean beds were similar to the ones from the Tudor times. The huge traditional Four-posted beds from the Elizabethan times were still the most popular and regarded with high esteem.
What wood did Jacobean artists use?
Jacobean artists mainly used oak as the primary material for their furniture, but other woods such as pear tree wood, lime and cherry were used as well. Cypress tree was preferred for making chests.
What was the name of the era that began after the death of Queen Elizabeth?
King James I ascended the throne after the death of Queen Elizabeth and this marked the beginning of a new era known as the Jacobean era. Since Jacobean period began immediately after the end of the Tudor dynasty, it was only natural that there would be heavy influence of thoughts and culture on the Jacobean society.
What did Jacobean furniture look like?
For the first time, craftspeople began to make furniture pieces that were designed to be seen from all sides
What was the Jacobean era?
The Jacobean era (from Jacobus, Latin for James) was the period in English and Scottish history from 1597-1625. The era coincides with the reign of James VI of Scotland, who also inherited the English throne as James I in 1603 upon the death of Elizabeth I.
What architectural features did the Jacobean use?
Many Jacobean buildings made use of the Tudor pointed arch, as well as ornamental details that are also characteristic of Elizabethan design, like scrolls, lozenges and strapwork
What did the Jacobean houses use?
Less wealthy houses, although they lacked the luxurious materials, made much use of decoration and ornamentation. Jacobean interiors often had simple Tudor paneling, and occasionally used Perpendicular vaulting forms.
What are some examples of Jacobean architecture?
Notable examples of Jacobean architecture include Hatfield House in Hertfordshire, built by Robert Cecil, first Earl of Salisbury, between 1607 and 1611. This building developed the Elizabethan style of the prodigy house, incorporating Tudor-style turreted wings with mullioned windows, linked by an Italian Renaissance-style facade. The finely carved Grand Staircase shows a strong Renaissance influence in its elaborate ornamentation.
What was Tudor furniture?
Traditional Tudor furniture was heavy and bulky, with little decoration. It was designed for medieval castles and didn’t suit the comforts of the more enlightened, modern world that was beginning to emerge.
What was the transition away from medieval furniture?
With the transition away from medieval traditions came the beginnings of an appreciation for comfort. Medieval furniture was not designed with comfort in mind, but Jacobean sensibilities gave rise to new furniture styles - at least for the upper echelons of society - that were designed to be comfortable.
What is the earliest Jacobean furniture?
The earliest dated piece of Jacobean furniture which has come under the writer's observation is the octagonal table belonging to the Carpenters' Company. The illustration, taken from Mr. Jupp's book referred to in the last chapter, hardly does the table justice; it is really a very handsome piece of furniture, and measures about 3 feet 3 inches in diameter. In the spandrils of the arches between the legs are the letters R.W., G.I., J.R., and W.W., being the initials of Richard Wyatt, George Isack, John Reeve, and William Willson, who were Master and Wardens of the Company in 1606, which date is carved in two of the spandrils. While the ornamental legs shew some of the characteristics of Elizabethan work, the treatment is less bold, the large acorn-shaped member has become more refined and attenuated, and the ornament is altogether more subdued. This is a remarkable specimen of early Jacobean furniture, and is the only one of the shape and kind known to the writer; it is in excellent preservation, save that the top is split, and it shews signs of having been made with considerable skill and care.
Where did Eastlake find furniture?
Mr. Eastlake visited Knole and made careful examination and sketches of the Jacobean furniture there, and has well described and illustrated it in his book just referred to; he mentions that he found a slip of paper tucked beneath the webbing of a settle there, with an inscription in Old English characters which fixed the date of some of the furniture at 1620. In a letter to the writer on this subject, Mr. Lionel Sackville West confirms this date by referring to the heirloom book, which also bears out the writer's opinion that some of the more richly-carved furniture of this time was imported from Italy.
Why was the word "table" used in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries?
Maskell, in his handbook on "Ivories," tells us that the word "table" was also used in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries to denote the religious carvings and paintings in churches; and he quotes Chaucer to show that the word was used to describe the game of "draughts."
What was the lady's wardrobe in 1622?
In a volume of "Notes and Queries" there is a note which would show that the lady's wardrobe of this time (1622) was a very primitive article of furniture. Mention is made there of a list of articles of wearing apparel belonging to a certain Lady Elizabeth Morgan, sister to Sir Nathaniel Rich, which, according to the old document there quoted, dated the 13th day of November, 1622, "are to be found in a great bar'd chest in my Ladie's Bedchamber." To judge from this list, Lady Morgan was a person of fashion in those days. We may also take it for granted that beyond the bedstead, a prie dieu chair, a bench, some chests, and the indispensable mirror, there was not much else to furnish a lady's bedroom in the reign of James I. or of his successor.
When was inlaid furniture first used?
Mahogany had been discovered by Raleigh as early as 1595, but did not come into general use until the middle of the eighteenth century .
When did the couch come out?
It was probably in the early part of the seventeenth century that the Couch became known in England. It was not common, nor quite in the form in which we now recognize that luxurious article of furniture, but was probably a carved oak settle, with cushions so arranged as to form a resting lounge by day, Shakespeare speaks of the "branch'd velvet gown" of Malvolio having come from a "day bed," and there is also an allusion to one in Richard III.10
What is a long settle chair?
The "long settle" and "scrowled chair" were two other kinds of seats in use from the time of Charles I. to that of James II. The illustrations are taken from authenticated specimens in the collection of Mr. Dalton, of Scarborough. They are most probably of Yorkshire manufacture, about the middle of the seventeenth century. The ornament in the panel of the back of the chair is inlaid work box or ash stained to a greenish black to represent green ebony, with a few small pieces of rich red wood then in great favour; and, says Mr. G. T. Robinson, to whose article mentioned above we are indebted for the description, "probably brought by some buccaneer from the West." Mr. Robinson mentions another chair of the Stuart period, which formed a table, and subsequently became the property of Theodore Hook, who carefully preserved its pedigree. It was purchased by its late owner, Mr. Godwin, editor of "The Builder." A woodcut of this chair is on p. 106.
When was Jacobean furniture built?
[2] The Jacobean furniture term defines the works belonging to the period between 1603 -1649. [1]
What was the furniture of the Jacobean period?
The typical Jacobean table was of oak, similar to the Elizabethan period furniture. [1] During the first part of the Jacobean period under the rule of James I and Charles I. For those who are well versed in furniture period and design, the first part of period, from 1603 through 1649 is often referred to the a Jacobean Period, while the two following eras although still under the Jacobean umbrella are often referred to as the Cromwellian period and the Carolean period. [2] The basic design and style of furniture during the first part of the Jacobean Period were almost non-existent. [2] During the second part of the Jacobean Period, the style of furniture is often referred to as the Cromwellian Period as the Commonwealth was under the reign of Cromwell. [2] It was during the Jacobean period that the colonists began leaving England taking with them a few pieces of furniture and holding to the styles to which they had become accustomed. [2] Commonwealth Style (1649-1660) marks the middle of the Jacobean Period, when the furniture was of simpler design and undecorated. [3] Generally speaking the furniture of the Jacobean period was heavy with little design and less comfort. [2] Jacobean and Cromwellian (the first two parts of the larger Jacobean Period) furniture has straight lines. [3] While most may think that all Jacobean furniture designs are very similar, it is worth mentioning that there were three distinct furniture styles that fall under the umbrella of the Jacobean period, occasionally referred to as the Stuart Period. [2] Very little American furniture of the earlier part of the Jacobean period is still surviving; but later pieces, from about 1670, are more numerous. [4]
What was the first style of furniture to travel outside of England?
Sometimes known in the American colonies as the Pilgrim style, simplified versions of Jacobean furniture were produced or imported to the first English colonies in North America. [28] The last thing we have to note about Jacobean furniture is that it was the first style to really travel outside of England. [28]
What was the significance of Jacobean beds?
Beds in the Jacobean age kept their ornate characteristics, and the bedheads in particular attracted the really imaginative craftsmen of the time, for they unloaded a wealth of grotesque fancy upon the enrichment of the bed head; the posts at the foot supporting the tester also came in for a share of lavish carving, but generally speaking there was more dignity in the design of these massive pieces of furniture in comparison to Elizabethan beds.
What type of furniture did Jacobean people use?
The typical Jacobean table was of oak, similar to the Elizabethan period furniture. (More...)
What period was the Commonwealth style furniture?
Commonwealth Style (1649-1660) marks the middle of the Jacobean Period when the furniture was of simpler design and under-decorated. [21] The late Jacobean Period is that of the Carolean period, named for King Charles II. In this period, the furniture was influenced by Flemish Baroque design. [21]
What was the furniture style of Elizabethan furniture?
[27] Whether from any of these causes or from purely commercial ones, what became part of the Elizabethan furniture style was the top-heavy and overloaded Dutch cabinet and the table with big columnar legs capable of upholding mighty serving dishes, and both covered with Flemish ornament. [26]
What was the Elizabethan furniture?
Elizabethan furniture is the form which the Renaissance took in England in furniture and general ornament, and in furniture it is as distinctive a form as its French and Italian counterparts.
What was the Elizabethan chair made of?
Chair made from Drake's ship.
How big is an Elizabethan mirror?
One Elizabethan mirror is some three and a half by four and a half feet in size — five feet was the largest made till the latter part of the eighteenth century — the frame is carved in oak and partially gilt, and the glass is set flatly.
What are the columns of Grecian?
Grecian columns of singular disproportion form the main structure of bedsteads, tables, and cabinets. These columns are noted for their clumsy thickness, and in one of the first misapprehensions of the classic that mark the style, they rise from huge spherical clusters of foliage, usually the acanthus.
Was the Tudor era slower than the Elizabethan era?
And if the movement was tardy even then, it was still slower in the previous Tudor era that three-quarters of a century just preceding the precise Elizabethan era. In spite of a few articles of Renaissance furniture procured abroad for the royal family or some of the high nobility, a barbarous mixture of the old and new yet prevailed in England at the period when France enjoyed the accomplished Henry II style, and when Italy reveled in the perfect fantasies of the Italian cinquecento .
