History Of Oak Furniture In Review

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Using oak in construction of furniture has been common for thousands of years. Oak was originally chosen due to its prevalence, but continued to be used for its water resistant properties, denseness, and gorgeous grain. People began using this tree, which is native to the northern hemisphere, for making oak furniture in the Dark Ages. Admiration for furniture made of oak has only increased over the years, especially its ability to withstand excessive wear and tear. The history of oak, being used for furniture building, spans across an extraordinary amount of years. The following is a brief outline of that history.

The First Furniture of Oak

The beginning design used for furniture constructed from oak trees was a simple bench. These were made mostly for the very wealthy, such as nobles. Powerful people had benches and other raised seating. Today, this is still prevalent in names or phrases such as; Member of the Board, Chairman, and Before the Bench. After benches came the making of chests and cupboards. Chests began being made from a simple design of a hollowed out log, then eventually drawers were added. Much of the furniture was used to store items such as weapons and armor, since the plethora of clothing many people have today wasn't very common back then.

In the Middle Ages

As society changed, so did the furniture. When the middle class citizens became wealthier, they began to spend money on items that weren't essential. Furniture building was a skilled craft and people sought craftsmen to build fine furniture that would withstand the test of time. This furniture would usually have special dates, the name of the family or family members carved into it. These heirlooms would be passed on from generation to generation. Many artisans would teach their craft to an apprentice, in order to carry on the tradition of handmade furniture building. In order to be considered a master craftsman, a guild had to be joined. There are many intricately carved pieces of oak furnishings that are still being passed on; some of them are even from the medieval era. A decline in furniture made of oak began around the middle of the 1600s. After the wars began and oak was scarce, the building of oak furnishings started up again. These designs were much lighter and with slimmer lines.

20th Century

Oak was extremely plentiful in America during the turn of the 20th century. Craftsmen, who would set the tone of American furniture for years to come, began emerging. Mission furniture became popular, with its rustic and straight-lined style. Many chairs were build in this fashion and had sturdy seats made with rushes woven together. Chairs weren't the only furniture constructed during this time; there were also stools, cradles, cupboards, shelves, and beds.

Today

Oak is used in the construction of all types of furniture today. It not solely furniture with simple lines that is constructed today, there is a large variety of styles that can be found. Anything from bedroom furniture to kitchen cabinets are created from oak. Many pieces are of high-quality wood and can be pricey, but well worth the extra cost. Red and white oak are the two most common types of wood used for furniture today. These wood types vary in coloration, but not in quality. The durability, beauty, and elegance are still exuded from many finely crafted pieces of oak furniture.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

Annie is an expert furniture and interior design writer. Her current area of specialism is recliner, kitchen sale and outdoor furniture sale

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