A timeline of English Period Antiques from 1485 to 1918

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When King Henry VII came to the throne 1485, the event signified the end of the Middle (Medieval) ages. It marked a brighter new era for England and the historic beginning of the English Renaissance.

Tudor Furniture Characteristics

• Made of Oak.
• Heavy, strong, detailed and uncomfortable furniture.
• Similar to medieval and gothic furniture periods preceding it.
• Often decorated with tapestries, embroidery, carpets, and fabrics.
• Very rare as only a few rich people in the 1500's could afford such luxuries.

Before Elizabeth the furniture in previous ages was always made to be functional and plain, repetitive patterns and square based design. The Elizabethan age saw a greater degree of experimentation with furniture as influences from abroad made their mark. Furniture was also starting to be constructed out of Walnut, however due to the lack of strength many walnut pieces have not survived the years

Elizabethan Furniture Characteristics

• Solid inlays now being used.
• Mother of pearl, Gold Guiding, Marble.
• A greater devotion to the arts.
• Home decor objects becoming more available.
After having difficulties working with Walnut, the Jacobean period saw a move back to Oak. Not as square as previous Oak pieces they remained inward looking, without not fully embracing exotic influences, and its ornamentation became less prominent, more ordered and uniform, this was the last era of wax based finishes.

Jacobean Furniture Characteristics

• Relief carvings of geometric or floral motifs
• Solid and sturdy, made of Oak.
• Influenced many early American pilgrims.
• Accentuated mouldings used to divide areas into geometric shapes
• The wax used to preserve the pieces has built up an aged dark oak lustre.
After England breaks out into civil war, leadership is overturned marking a new era, 'The Commonwealth' producing Cromwellian or puritan furniture. This era stands alone in the history of English furniture, moving away from the the Gothic styles we begin to see more ancient and classical forms of decoration, although the period continues to differ from foreign influences.

Puritan Furniture Characteristics

• Wood carving and upholstery was rarely used.
• Sharp, angular, a simple practical styling.

The Carolean or Restoration period brought the traditional aspects of English furniture back in line with European styles. It was also during this era that the ancient art of 'French polishing,' was beginning to be experimented with. It would be another 100 years before the process was mastered.

Restoration Furniture Characteristics

• Restoration furniture was decorative and colourful.
• Veneer and marquetry made advancements to produce detailed designs.
•In addition to walnut and oak there was also used olive, white cedar, kingwood, and coromandel among others.

Previous eras saw dark, Gothic, primitive and uncomfortable furniture, The William and Mary period gave us bright insight into what was ahead for English furniture. Great numbers of French and Dutch refugee's came to England, many of them working in the furniture industry. They brought with them many new techniques that continued to increase the standards of English furniture.

William and Mary Furniture Characteristics

ª Oak, declined as Walnut was used widely, Mahogany made its first appearance.
• There was also use of kingwood and amboyna for inlay work and ebony
• A lot of Dutch and French influences.
• Standards improve as we see a greater number of these antiques today.

By now, English craftsmen have mastered foreign techniques and adapted them to their own. English furniture is now developing a distinct style and can be compared at par with Italian and French furniture styles.

Queen Anne Furniture Characteristics

• Working class people are now more able to own furniture.
• Walnut now the wood of choice.
• A small amount of Queen Anne furniture was painted white and gilded.
• Furniture design is more thought out as the pieces become lighter.

A big change began in this era, the introduction of Mahogany. It would later replace Walnut as the wood of choice. 'Geargian' furniture consisted of a wide variety of styles including Adam, Chippendale, Hepplewhite, and Sheraton.

Georgian Furniture Characteristics

• The beginning of Mahogany and Architectural influence
• Consisted of a wide variety of styles

Finally, the long awaited mastering of the technique to apply Shellac to wood, 'French polishing.' Now furniture is coated with smooth surfaces and intricate veneers are laid. A striking vibrant display of colours are introduced as knowledge of a variety of wood increases.

Regency Furniture Characteristics

• Plain, slender, elegant lines
• Mahogany is continued to be used along with Rosewood and Zebrawood
• Elaborate inlaid marquetry

The straight and smooth lines of the Regency period were opposed with a more oval and circular style. Mass produced furniture had taken a new level and the Victorian style was rapidly welcomed into the homes of many. Later in the period the demands of mass market would have a negative effect on the quality of the furniture being produced.

Victorian Furniture Characteristics

• Oak makes a nationalist comeback for its Englishness.
• Mahogany and Rosewood mostly used.
• Japanese design shows influence in ebony finishes.

Edwardian furniture designers came to the realization that reproductions would outsell anything new or innovative. During this era the Antique trade was launched and quickly grew as people started buying second hand furniture.

Edwardian Furniture Characteristics

• Art Nouveau is given a English interpretation.
• Reproduction furniture is produced.

Gain inspiration for your Interior DIY projects

A great way to gain inspiration for your Interior DIY projects is to look back at the past. Many of todays techniques in construction and design are undertaken with minimal labour costs. An attention to detail has been lost and quality craftsmanship seems to be on a steady decline.

There is hope. Many of the original trades, such as Upholstery, French polishing, Cabinet making, Guilding, Needlework, Printmaking and Masonry. Have all been replaced with modern and efficient techniques, power tools have replaced extensive hand labour and precision spray systems have replaced the skilled touch of hand application.

You don't need to wonder why these great trades that played a major role in the industrial revolution, have slowly disappeared. People these days are not interested in labour intensive work and want things as cheap as possible.

For the "DIY enthusiast' that doesn't mind getting a bit dirty and some hard work, you can achieve quality far greater than any store or contractor will offer. With short google history lesson and some practice, you could be on your way to unleashing hidden creative talents from within.

A great site to start your search is http://www.ptoone.com here you can see video's and projects that have been undertaken using an original 'French polishing' method from 17th century Europe.

Care instruction for period antiques and French polished furniture

Ensuring your antiques are displayed, stored and handled correctly is essential to preserving them for future generations. It is important to remember that furniture isn't just wood and the beauty of it is often how the wood is aged as well as the other materials used. French polish is fine and beautiful finish from a natural source, unlike any other finish French polish never cures which means it continues to harden with age. Below are unique instructions to keep the polish in pristine condition.

General housekeeping tips
The temperature in your home can greatly affect the condition of your furniture. Excessively dry conditions can cause furniture to dry out and shrink, while excessively damp conditions can cause mould growth. Try to keep your pieces in a stable environment where the temperature and relative humidity don't fluctuate dramatically. The following points are worth bearing in mind:

Don't place furniture near heat sources as heat causes shrinkage. This can loosen joints and veneers and change the shape of the piece over time. High heat will also soften the polish and sometimes leave a white mark. To avoid this coffee or tea and hot plates should lay on top of suitable place mats.

Light can also damage furniture. Natural or artificial light of a high intensity can alter finishes and if severe can break down the wood. Use blinds or curtains to reduce light levels.

Drips of alcohol/nail varnish remover on a polished surface will soften the polish or leave a mark if not removed immediately.
Water on a polished surface should also be removed immediately as with time it will leave a mark in the finish.

Keys and hard objects may scratch the surface.

All commercial spray polishes contain silicone that will eat away at the wood beneath the finish. Cleaning a French polished surface should be done with one lightly damp lint-free cheese cloth. The surface can then be wiped with a lint-free dry cheese cloth, fast strokes along the grain with minimal pressure will restore a glossy surface.

If moving furniture, remove drawers and lock doors so they don't open. Pieces should be padded and covered for transport. Use clean white cotton gloves when moving gilded furniture.

Lifting furniture should be done carefully. Check for loose areas. Chairs should be lifted by the seat rather than the back or arms. Tables should be lifted by the legs rather than the top, which could come off.

After taking these care instructions into consideration you may feel that antique and French polished finishes may not be suitable for your woodwork, however it is also worth keeping in mind that the French polish is far more forgiving than any other finish in the sense that unlike lacquers, it can be efficiently repaired.

Determine the quality of Reproduction Furniture.

Determine the quality of Reproduction Furniture.

The efficient advantage of modern finishing techniques and precision machines to create reproduction antique furniture has pushed the traditional methods aside. Many of the original trades such as upholstery, French polishing and cabinet making that guided the industrial revolution have been left behind and are becoming lost arts. Part of the reason I write as a professional French polisher is to recover, re-invent and restore these trades that played a remarkable role in European culture during the later part of the 20th century.

During my years as a Finisher, French polisher and Restorer, I came across many different styles of furniture. Most of which were reproductions of European period models. Some containing an unmatched attention to detail that they almost could pass as the original model.

As a professional in the business, I quickly learned an accurate technique of distinguishing the reproductions by determining the type of finish. The finish that was used during the periods that produced some of the finest European antiques, was a technique called 'French polishing.' This process is very labour intensive and was refined in France in the 1700's, hence it's name.
From my experience of working with almost every type of finish on the market, there is nothing that brings out the beauty of wood, than wood that has been carefully French polished.

As America becomes increasingly capable of producing high end European reproductions, so many other countries with much lower labour costs do the same. At first the reproductions, mostly from the eastern hemisphere were crafted to a much lower standard than the ones being made in western nations. With time people began to realize the sheer economical incentives to producing, labour intensive and intricate models of furniture overseas. Large companies sent their quality control operators to improve the quality of craftsmanship. The reproductions were now made to a much higher standard and the already competitive industry became fierce. One thing that has always been hard for non-industrial countries to implement was a high quality technique of finishing. To this day that fact remains that recognizing a finish, helps you recognize the quality of the piece.

My trained eye helps me recognize the type of finish and from that I am able to evaluate the value of a piece. Learning about the different types of wood finish, and the years and periods from which they were used, can greatly benefit your ability's to determine the quality and craftsmanship of a piece whether it be a rare Queen Anne original antique or Regency reproduction.

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