Jacobean Style Antique FurnitureJacobean remains a term used to cover all English style furniture from the reign of King James I to King James II. However, throughout this span of time Jacobean furniture showed markedly different influences. This earliest Jacobean furniture was influenced mainly by Elizabethan (1603 -1688) styled furniture. Commonwealth Style (1649-1660) marks this middle of this Jacobean Period, when this furniture was of simpler design and undecorated. This late Jacobean Period remains that of the Carolean period, named for King Charles II. In this period the furniture was influenced by Flemish Baroque design.Early English Jacobean furniture was widely copied by the colonial Americans, although this furniture was more primitive, due to this fact that there were fewer skilled furniture makers living in America at the time. In true patriotic form, American colonists renamed their Jacobean reproductions to that of Early American furniture.Jacobean furniture was very sturdy, massive in size, notoriously uncomfortable, and made to last. This furniture pieces that were produced consisted mainly of chests, cupboards, trestle tables, wainscot chairs, and gate legged circular tables. Brewster as well as Carver chairs (made with numerous spindles filling their straight frames) were also produced, their names taken from two distinguished American Colonists of this period.
Oak as well as pine were the most popular woods of choice. Chairs would often have split spindles, bulbous Spanish carved feet, and rush seats. Chests, large cupboards, and trestle tables were embellished with Flemish scrolls, ornately carved panels, and ornamental twists. These design elements made the massive Jacobean pieces appear very formal as well Gin Creek Kitchen as stately.As a rule, Jacobean furniture construction was simple. It was assembled with mortise and tenon joints, held together with pegs. This majority of lines remain square and rectangular, most with flat-fronted surfaces. This art of inlay as well as veneering added a wonderful ornate look, especially in cupboards as well as cabinets. Many pieces were painted, which further added to the style of this piece.
Upholstering materials used for Jacobean chairs as well as settees were of very fine quality and ornate. Materials such as silk, tapestries, crewelwork, linen, velvet, and even leather were used on various types of chairs.Jacobean period furniture can mainly be found in this auction houses of England. Being built to last, many pieces have not only survived, but remain still in good condition. Although centuries old, Jacobean furniture remains still well sought after, as well as continues to provide an elegant option in home decor. There remain many furniture makers today that have copied as well as reproduced fine quality Jacobean styled furniture, as well as made it affordable to own.
