A little history..

For many of us the thought of living in the 17th Century or earlier is difficult to imagine. In 400 years time people will have the luxury of seeing their ancestors and our way of life through modern day communications and records. But if you want a hands on approach to an earlier lifestyle, there is nothing better than caring for and using an item of 17th Century oak furniture. It will guarantee to bring great enjoyment and can open new doors of thought for those young and old whose understanding of past times can become more real.

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 localised 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 initialled, 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.

Whilst browsing through our stock you may notice many regional differences in carving and decoration. Major influences on changes in style came with events such as the restoration of the monarchy (1660) and the Fire of London (1666) when many lighter and flamboyant fashions from the continent were adopted.

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 colour 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.

A piece of early oak furniture can look equally magnificent in a 17th Century house, cottage or a modern day flat or town house.