Furniture History- The 17th Century

The known world was expanding during the 17th century; explorers were travelling the oceans in search of new lands and treasures. However, without realising it they were changing the shape of the future whilst doing so.

Explorers were sailing all around the world, bringing back home new ideas and objects which they had encountered on their travels. These items were items of furniture, statues, and other exciting objects which people of the time had not seen or even heard of before.

As the new objects filtered into the mainstream population, their uses, differing design styles and imagery were taken to produce new exciting items, items of furniture, clothes and other objects we take for granted now. New materials were being brought back from the explorations; fruitwoods became more popular with artisans and silks with tailors.

In the early part of the century, furniture was dominated by the Renaissance period, the elegance of the pieces dominated the craftsmen of the time. As the years moved on, the baroque period was born. An ornate styling, which started in Italy and came to dominate design styles of furniture until it reached it height of popularity in France under the reign of Louis XIV. This unique style of furniture design moved around Europe and the Americas, picking up new twists and design aspects on it travels, constantly adapting whilst maintaining it core values.

As the Baroque furniture style developed people began to expect more from furniture, they wanted it to not only to have a purpose but to look good and to be comfortable as well. This change in simple form has led the way to the beginning of furniture as we know it today. Furniture not just to perform a purpose but to exude comfort and style.

In America during the late 17th Century people where looking for purpose in the furniture, they wanted quick, easy and affordable design styles, rather than comfort and elegance as their counterparts in Europe.

Several different design styles where covered throughout the 17th century not just the two we have mentioned above. The other main styles are: Louis XIV French court furniture, Jacobean English furniture, William and Mary English furniture and Early American furniture. All these different design styles of furniture had an effect on each other and are still mimicked in the design styles you can find throughout this site through the links below.

Furniture History
Furniture History- The 18th Century