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Bookcases in the Early American Colonial FurnitureThe History of the Origin of the Design Period Known as Early American Colonial Furniture

Some of these bookcases, because of their absolute fitness to purpose, the perfection of their cabinet work, their strength coupled with their perfect proportion, one must always bear in mind the great weight of a large number of books and the careful use of ornament, neither too much nor too little but just enough to indicate that the case contained something precious, all this made some of these bookcases among the finest products of the English furniture maker's workshops.

The only improvements of recent years has been an attempt to avoid the awkwardness of large glazed doors in small rooms. Sliding doors, and sectional doors to lift up and run in over the top of the books, have been introduced.

Things to do in Tracing the Origins of the Style Known as Early American Colonial Furniture

1. Start a collection of drawings of joints, making especial note of the uses to which they are put.
2. In the workshop, start to make a collection of joints.
3. Make a series of drawings of panels, giving details of the mouldings in historical order.
4. Whenever opportunity offers add to your collection of sketches decorative details of panels and of the framing of panels.
5. Begin a collection of drawings of furniture taken from illuminated manuscripts. An increasing number of these are being introduced into history books, particularly books on Social History. (For instance, the excellent series of books on Everday Life in Prehistoric Times, in Greece and Rome, and in England, by Marjorie and C. H. B. Quennell.) Remember that these drawings may not be true in construction, as the artists were not woodworkers.
6. Start a notebook of historical facts that influenced furniture-making. Make entries of books (giving full titles) where you read any interesting fact about furniture or see a good picture (give page and enter the nature of the picture or detail).

 

Plate XV
Bookcases

An "Architectural" bookcase from Christ Church Library, Oxford
(palladian Mid-Eighteenth Century)

The Bookcase as a Piece of Furniture (Late Eighteenth Century)

The Chair in the Tracing of the Origins of the Style Known as Early American Colonial Furniture

Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool.

Primitive man sat on the ground. At the present day it is probable that the vast majority of mankind use the same seat. The ruler, the chieftain or headsman, may sit upon a throne or chair of state, but his people either stand in his presence or sit on the ground. For long ages the chair was a symbol of authority rather than an article of use and comfort. In all formal business today the leader " takes the chair", becomes " chairman", and all remarks have to be addressed to the chair". In old days a person who was honoured was "chaired". At Bisley the champion rifle shot, the King's Prizeman, is chaired by his supporters. In mediaeval schools the schoolmaster sat while his scholars kneeled before him or sat on benches. In Universities today we speak of the Professors as occupying "chairs" of philosophy, chemistry, history, and the like. In the two houses of Parliament there is but one Chair-The Speaker's Chair, which with its dais and canopy is a true example of the mediaeval seigniorial chair.

The "throne" in the tracing of the origins of the style known has Early American Colonial Furniture takes first place among chairs in both Church and State. In all cathedrals the Bishop's seat is called a throne. Cathedral is derived from the Latin word "cathedra", meaning a chair. The cathedral is the seat-place of a Bishop. We speak of country houses of wealthy people as being "seats".

Just as with chests and tables, the Egyptians perfected chair­making thousands of years before the beginning of civilisation in England. Chair and bed legs, carved in the form of ox legs, and having perfect tenons, have been found dating from at least 400 B.c. The very earliest wall-paintings show the gods seated upon a square box-like seat with a low back. Almost as soon we see a perfect chair with four animal-shaped legs and no stretchers. Stools of all kinds appear, especially one with crossed legs exactly like our camp stools. Chair-making became a fine art, and for lightness of construction combined with strength and grace of outline have probably never been beaten. The art of chair-making spread to the Mediterranean countries and kept its excellence in both Greece and Italy.