[Illustration: Three Chimneypieces. Designed
by James Gibes, Architect, in 1739.]
Nearly all writers on the subject of furniture and
woodwork are agreed in considering that the earlier
part of the period discussed in this chapter, that
is, the seventeenth century, is the best in the traditions
of English work. As we have seen in noticing
some of the earlier Jacobean examples already illustrated
and described, it was a period marked by increased
refinement of design through the abandonment of the
more grotesque and often coarse work of Elizabethan
carving, and by soundness of construction and thorough
workmanship.
Oak furniture made in England during the seventeenth
century, is still a credit to the painstaking craftsmen
of those days, and even upholstered furniture, like
the couches and chairs at Knole, after more than 250
years’ service, are fit for use.
In the ninth and last chapter, which will deal with
furniture of the present day, the methods of production
which are now in practice will be noticed, and some
comparison will be made which must be to the credit
of the Jacobean period.
* * * *
*
In the foregoing chapters an attempt has been made
to preserve, as far as possible, a certain continuity
in the history of the subject matter of this work
from the earliest times until after the Renaissance
had been generally adopted in Europe. In this
endeavour a greater amount of attention has been bestowed
upon the furniture of a comparatively short period
of English history than upon that of other countries,
but it is hoped that this fault will be forgiven by
English readers.
It has now become necessary to interrupt this plan,
and before returning to the consideration of European
design and work, to devote a short chapter to those
branches of the Industrial Arts connected with furniture
which flourished in China and Japan, in India, Persia,
and Arabia, at a time anterior and subsequent to the
Renaissance period in Europe.
The Furniture of Eastern Countries.
CHINESE FURNITURE: Probable source
of artistic taste—Sir William Chambers
quoted—Racinet’s “Le Costume
Historique”—Dutch influence—The
South Kensington and the Duke of Edinburgh Collections—Processes
of making Lacquer—Screens in the Kensington
Museum. JAPANESE FURNITURE: Early History—Sir
Rutherford Alcock and Lord Elgin—The
Collection of the Shogun—Famous Collections—Action
of the present Government of Japan—Special
characteristics. INDIAN FURNITURE: Early
European influence—Furniture of the Moguls—Racinet’s
Work—Bombay Furniture—Ivory
Chairs and Table—Specimens in the India
Museum. PERSIAN WOODWORK: Collection of
Objets d’Art formed by General Murdoch Smith,
R.E.—Industrial Arts of the Persians—Arab
influence—South Kensington Specimens.
SARACENIC WOODWORK: Oriental customs—Specimens
in the South Kensington Museum of Arab Work—M.
d’Aveune’s Work.
Chinese and Japanese Furniture.
