A Brief History of Oak Furniture

Most of the early furniture from the 17th Century was made using oak because it was readily available in many parts of the country. The growth of the middle classes gave rise to a demand for furniture that could not only be used for domestic purposes but also for displaying the wealth of the individual to the outside world. This meant an increasing quantity of high quality furniture very often decorated in a localized form being produced. Many items would have been made to order and would not only reflect the specific requirements of size and decoration, but would often be dated and initialed, sometimes commemorating a marriage or birth in the family. Branded initials are often found on furniture and different initials often reflect a change of ownership.

Early oak furniture is still available today because of the durability of oak as a material and also because of the quality of the workmanship. A joiner had to work several years as an apprentice before he was able to join a guild of craftsmen. The guilds insisted on the highest standards of craftsmanship and materials, which has ensured the consistency in quality of 17th Century joined oak furniture. The color and surface has been acquired through a build up of years of dusting and polishing which gives it a softness which is appealing in most environments today.

Ooak was the primary wood used in Pilgrim construction in the Colonies in the early and mid 17th century, but it was almost not used at all from the late 17th century to the late 19th century in the U.S. It was used extensively in England and Europe during this period. Oak was used not only as a primary wood but also as the secondary wood in England but the secondary wood dimensions were reduced, i.e. drawer sides and bottoms were thinner, to reduce the weight. A type of pine known as deal is also sometimes used in English furniture but not as frequently as thinner pieces of oak.

During the great non-oak period in America, which encompasses late William and Mary, Queen Anne, Chippendale, Federal, Empire, and Victorian, the favorite primary woods were walnut, mahogany, cherry, and maple. Pine and poplar are the favorite American secondary woods, since they are abundant and inexpensive, and oak was frequently used as a secondary wood in American Victorian construction. It was also used as the secondary wood for a large part of the great "Golden Oak" period in this country in the early 20th century. A lot of the beautiful quarter cut or "tiger's eye" oak veneer so popular in this period was laid over an underlayment of flat cut oak.

The Furniture design from the early 16th century to middle 17th century is called the Age of Oak. There are two main styles prevalent in this period: the Tudor and the Jacobean styles. The period of reigning by Henry VIII is the most significant in English furniture history. Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church in Rome and established the Church of England by the Act of Supremacy in 1534. As a result of Henry VIII's departure from the church, English furniture design was started by copying the characteristics of furniture in the Catholic churches and also adding secular characteristics.

The Furniture design from the early 16th century to middle 17th century is called the Age of Oak. There are two main styles prevalent in this period: the Tudor and the Jacobean styles. The period of reigning by Henry VIII is the most significant in English furniture history. Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church in Rome and established the Church of England by the Act of Supremacy in 1534.

As a result of Henry VIII's departure from the church, English furniture design was started by copying the characteristics of furniture in the Catholic churches and also adding secular characteristics. In the Age of Oak, furniture was usually made with oak and/or pine, and decorated with painted ornamentation. During the period of the Tudor style, furniture became larger in scale and was more ornate, especially with painted Tudor rose.

In the Age of Oak, furniture was usually made with oak and/or pine, and decorated with painted ornamentation. During the period of the Tudor style, furniture became larger in scale and was more ornate, especially with painted Tudor rose.

There was in 1928 a new period of style known as "Renaissance Oak", the first truly "American period of furniture" assuring the heirloom quality, as well as the inherent beauty of Oak, "the sovereign wood." There were many new Oak designs available and an increasing demand for Oak lines. The beautiful, rich brown or "antique effects were achieved by Jamestown Lounge Company as well and many other manufacturers.