Series editors' preface - Wood Tools

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Furniture history
1.1 Introduction
The importance of furniture as an indicator of
the way people live has been recognized by
many social historians as well as those interested
solely in furniture. This recognition has
led to a distinction between historians of
antiques and decorative arts, and those who
take a ‘material culture’ approach. The latter
examine furniture as part of an effort to understand
the society that made and used it. The
analysis of furniture is often the same for both
groups: it is the emphasis put on the results
that varies along with the types of furniture
examined.
Locating furniture types and their usage
within the society that produced them will help
to reveal the social structure, wealth and intellectual
values that society had. In addition to
this, the historical events and circumstances
which influenced art and design, the economic,
political, religious and intellectual climate
had an effect on the way furniture was
designed, made and used. All these strands
help in explaining how ideas about function,
comfort, style and use of materials are manifested
in furniture. The production and use of
furniture were also dependent on the materials
and technology available to the makers.
Therefore, to gain a fuller understanding, one
also needs to investigate the construction, quality
of workmanship and available tools.
Each subsequent section is therefore
planned so that a brief historical context is followed
by an analysis of functional types and
the development of particular forms of furniture.
This is supplemented by a discussion of
stylistic features and constructional elements.
Materials used in the process of making are
then discussed, followed by an evaluation of
the tools and techniques used in construction,
from the conversion of timber to the final finish.
The sections conclude with a brief discussion
of the organization of the trade and the
role of the craftsman.
This account is necessarily focused predominantly
on England, America and France, but a
similar approach can be applied to other traditions.
We apologize to all colleagues for whom
this is not the most relevant axis. We hope,
however, that the approach taken together with
the reference points provided in the text and
bibliography will still be helpful in illuminating
the range of materials, structures and techniques
encountered by the furniture conservator. Some
further discourse of the history of technology
will be found in Part 2 with reference to upholstery
and other non-wood materials.
1.2 Earliest times to the Middle Ages
1.2.1 Egypt
The earliest evidence of true furniture is found
in the Egyptian society that existed some five
thousand years ago. The exceptional circumstances
of survival in royal tombs have given
us famous examples of furniture. It is apparent
that beds, chairs, stools, tables and storage
boxes had all been created by 3000 BC, and
there is no doubt that a skilled workforce
existed in Egypt.
Beds were developed from crude frames
lashed together, to sophisticated jointed frames
and proper suspensions of leather thongs.
They were supported on short legs, usually in
the form of a bull’s foot. Beds were often supplied
with a separate head-rest, as headboards
were unknown.
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