Encyclopedia of Antiques
Jacobean
At the time England was becoming an organized community, or commonwealth, there was much strife, and an upset condition existed. Furniture styles were changed very little during this period; they still resembled the Elizabethan styles.
Actually, there were three styles in the Jacobean. The first two, Jacobean and Cromwellian, were similar. The third, Carolean, brought about more distinct changes.
The Puritans were influenced by the Jacobean crown. This Early Jacobean period included the time of the reigns of both James I and Charles I, his son. Most of the furniture was made of oak. Square and rectangular were the most predominant shapes. Lacquering, painting, veneering, and inlay work were done, and the upholstery materials were velvet, crewel, wood, linen, and leather. Carving was also a big part of the decoration.
Clumsy might be a proper adjective used to describe this furniture. Chairs had flat seats, ball feet, and low stretchers, and they were considered to be seats of dignity. They were held in reserve for the privileged—common people used long forms and stools.
Others pieces of furniture made during the first two of the three periods (Jacobean, Cromwellian, and Carolean) were: Welsh dressers with paneled doors, drawers on the lower part, and three grooved shelves on the upper part where one could display plates; press cupboards, which had a cupboard on the bottom and another more shallow on the top half; livery cupboards, which were designed to hold food and sometimes arms or clothing. The livery cupboards were designed with two paneled doors which had openings at the top to provide air circulation. No doubt this was the forerunner of the pie cupboard or safe. Other pieces included several types of chests, game tables, gateleg tables, trestle tables, settles, long-form seats, love seats, Derbyshire chairs, Yorkshire chairs, and Cromwellian chairs.
The Carolean, or Late Jacobean, period displayed furniture more comfortable and rich in style. French influence was everywhere, and furniture pieces added during this period were daybeds (upholstered), writing cabinets, footstools, clocks, and sofas.
Actually, there were three styles in the Jacobean. The first two, Jacobean and Cromwellian, were similar. The third, Carolean, brought about more distinct changes.
The Puritans were influenced by the Jacobean crown. This Early Jacobean period included the time of the reigns of both James I and Charles I, his son. Most of the furniture was made of oak. Square and rectangular were the most predominant shapes. Lacquering, painting, veneering, and inlay work were done, and the upholstery materials were velvet, crewel, wood, linen, and leather. Carving was also a big part of the decoration.
Clumsy might be a proper adjective used to describe this furniture. Chairs had flat seats, ball feet, and low stretchers, and they were considered to be seats of dignity. They were held in reserve for the privileged—common people used long forms and stools.
Others pieces of furniture made during the first two of the three periods (Jacobean, Cromwellian, and Carolean) were: Welsh dressers with paneled doors, drawers on the lower part, and three grooved shelves on the upper part where one could display plates; press cupboards, which had a cupboard on the bottom and another more shallow on the top half; livery cupboards, which were designed to hold food and sometimes arms or clothing. The livery cupboards were designed with two paneled doors which had openings at the top to provide air circulation. No doubt this was the forerunner of the pie cupboard or safe. Other pieces included several types of chests, game tables, gateleg tables, trestle tables, settles, long-form seats, love seats, Derbyshire chairs, Yorkshire chairs, and Cromwellian chairs.
The Carolean, or Late Jacobean, period displayed furniture more comfortable and rich in style. French influence was everywhere, and furniture pieces added during this period were daybeds (upholstered), writing cabinets, footstools, clocks, and sofas.