furniture-msg - 3/29/09
Making chests and tables for the SCA. Period furniture. References.
NOTE: See also the files: chairs-msg, beds-msg, chests-msg, wood-msg, woodworking-msg, tools-msg, wood-bending-msg, wood-finishes-msg, caskets-boxes-bib, 6-board-chest-art, Gothic-Bench-art.
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NOTICE -
This file is a collection of various messages having a common theme that I have collected from my reading of the various computer networks. Some messages date back to 1989, some may be as recent as yesterday.
This file is part of a collection of files called Stefan's Florilegium. These files are available on the Internet at: http://www.florilegium.org
I have done a limited amount of editing. Messages having to do with separate topics were sometimes split into different files and sometimes extraneous information was removed. For instance, the message IDs were removed to save space and remove clutter.
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Please respect the time and efforts of those who have written these messages. The copyright status of these messages is unclear at this time. If information is published from these messages, please give credit to the originator(s).
Thank you,
Mark S. Harris AKA: THLord Stefan li Rous
Stefan at florilegium.org
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From: Tim Bray/C. Keegan (4/25/94)
To: Mark Harris
RE>Oak Furniture Book
You asked for the adress of the Antique Collectors Club, publisher of the
Oak Furniture book. The address was included in my original post:
d - Oak Funiture: The British Tradition (Victor Chinnery, 1979,
> >reprinted 1993, ISBN 1 85149 013 2 published by Antique Collector's Club
> >Ltd, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 1DS UK -
That's a U.K. address. I bought the book in England, so am not sure how
much it will cost to order from the States. It's a very thick, heavy
book, printed on really good paper, with lots of b&w photos... in other
words, it's expensive! Most of the book actually deals more with 17th
century furniture and furniture-making (guilds, etc.) than our period,
but there is still much useful info.
Colin
From: David Mann (4/17/95)
To: Mark Harris
Re[2]: Tournaments Illuminated #113 -- review
Hello Stefan,
I'll send you a gif or tif picture as soon as I can. Of our 2
scanners, one is broken and the other is out on loan. As for a book,
Master Edward d'Orleans recommends "History of Italian Furniture",
volumes 1 & 2 by William M. Odom. He says if you can find a copy at a
reasonable price get it! There were 2 editions to the book, 1912 &
1966. I agree with him, this is one of the best books around on
Italian furniture. Oh, the price normally for a copy is around 700-800
dollars for the 1912 edition. Fortunating, OSU has both editions in
the library.
Marke
======================================================================
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Celt Tents Info
From: mike.boelter at rodent.isdn.net (Mike Boelter)
Date: Sat, 03 Jun 1995 10:19:00 -0600
to re hash what has been posted before this good gentle is
looking for info on Scottish tents 10th to 12th century with proper
furniture etc.
The Chairs you are looking for were featured in a woodworking
magazine some years ago. Name of Magazine was Fine Woodworking or
similar. If no one remembers the article one could always write to the
magazines of that sort asking if they have an article on same.
Rope beds, or Vikin style fit together and peg together beds
are fairly easy to accomplish. I cheat and use an inflatable Air
Mattress in mine. Source books were The Vikings by Time Life (coffee
table size book) and Osbourne childrens books Time Traveler series on
The Viking Raiders. Simple pictures and fairly good detail.
For a rope frame do not drill holes in the sides or use eye
bolts unless you are really into lacing a couple hundred feet of rope at
every event. I found some utility hooks called goat horns or if you
have access to telephone company supplies Hook, drop, wire is what you
are looking for.
Actually I have dispensed with the ropes altogether, and on the
inside of the bed frame I have put 2x2s and then use plywood. Unless
the authenticity police crawle under the bed who will know. If you want
to feel really virtuous you could modify the plywood sheeting so that
it could be used as an emergency backboard (handholds and such were cut
out of it to facilitate emerngency use) which is what I did when I make
a Viking bed for a chireugeon.
This should be of some help. and hopefully you will be able to
make sense of my ramblings.
I remain, Sir Starhelm Warlocke KbSCA.
From: alysk at ix.netcom.com (Elise Fleming )
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Source for Eliza. Furniture
Date: 24 Oct 1995 00:31:30 GMT
For pictures of "period" furniture you might try looking in the
library. There is a book entitled _World Furniture_, edited by Noel
Riley, 1989 edition published by Chartwell Books, originally published
in 1980 by Octopus Books. ISBN number is 1-55521-477-0. It is divided
by country and shows numerous examples of furniture throughout the
country's history. There is some history of the development of
furniture in each country. I would assume there are more books out
there in libraries which might be helpful if one wanted to build one's
own furniture.
Alys Katharine
From: "Jeffrey L. Singman" <jsingman at umich.edu>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Source for Eliza. Furniture
Date: 24 Oct 1995 14:05:28 GMT
Organization: University of Michigan
Hi! One place to look would be the Trayn'd Bandes of London World Wide
Web site--there are a couple of references and connections to suppliers
there (look under 're-enactment contacts' and under 'sources and
resources' on the main page). The resources page also lists some good
books on Eliz. furniture. In addition, my wife and I have been working
to accumulate the names of other good furniture makers. Repro. furniture
tends to be a bit expensive in North America (it can be had much cheaper
in England); however, it is quite easy to make Eliz. furniture, at least
the simpler designs (drop by some time and we can show you two pieces I
made myself). Sometimes used-goods places will have pieces which could
pass for Elizabethan too, depending on how accurate you need it to be!
http://www.rmc.ca/~nusbache/bandes.html
Cheers, JLS
From: excmairi at aol.com (EXCMairi)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Patterns / Plans for furniture.
Date: 17 Oct 1996 08:31:44 -0400
Stackpole Books (the people who do Osprey series) are publishing a new
book, due out in January, titled "Constructing Medieval Furniture" by
Daniel Diehl, ISBN #0811727955. We called them as soon as we found a
reference to it and they said it would be out in January, listed in their
December catalog. Their phone # is 1-800-732-3669. Stackpole Books, 5067
Ritter Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.
Baroness Mairi.
From: Gretchen M Beck <grm+ at andrew.cmu.edu>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Patterns / Plans for furniture.
Date: Fri, 18 Oct 1996 13:03:31 -0400
Organization: Computer Operations, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA
Excerpts from netnews.rec.org.sca: 17-Oct-96 Re: Patterns / Plans for
fu.. by EXCMairi at aol.com
> Stackpole Books (the people who do Osprey series) are publishing a new
> book, due out in January, titled "Constructing Medieval Furniture" by
> Daniel Diehl, ISBN #0811727955. We called them as soon as we found a
> reference to it and they said it would be out in January, listed in their
> December catalog. Their phone # is 1-800-732-3669. Stackpole Books, 5067
> Ritter Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.
I should point out that Daniel Diehl is also Lord Frederich von
Schwartzberg, currently of York, England, late of the Barony Marche of
the Debatable Lands. I believe this may be the book that competed at
Ice Dragon.
toodles, margaret
From: bbrisbane at aol.com (BBrisbane)
To: bryn-gwlad at eden.com
Date: 28 Jan 1997 06:38:59 GMT
Subject: MEDIEVAL FURNITURE BOOK -- Revised, with WEB address.
I want everyone to know about a new book that has been published, and I
hope many will find of great use and wish to possess.
CONSTRUCTING MEDIEVAL FURNITURE; Plans and Instructions, with Historical
Notes by Dan Diehl, aka Captain/Abbot Frederick von Schwartzbourg.
This wonderful book specifically discusses the constuction of medieval
furniture as found in Castles, Abbeys, and Monasteries. Dan Diehl has 25
years of experience making cabinetry and working as a restoration Artist.
He has traveled to England three times over two years to research the
pieces for this book, specifically chosing pieces, where possible, that
are still within the environments they were originally created for. He
photographed each piece and took very careful measurements of all
dimensions and details, which he then recreated into an understandable
translation of their construction. This text is an original work without
precedence, and is realistically a secondary reference resource (a primary
reference work being Dan's personal examination of the pieces, but we'd
have to BE Dan).
The book begins with three chapters that tell you what you need to know in
order to complete the furniture projects. The First chapter addresses
woodworking, the Second concerns metalworking, and the Third chapter
discusses finishes and surface treatments. Each of the remaining chapters
is an examination of a single piece of furniture: A photo of the original,
a description of the construction and history of the piece, a chart which
outlines how many parts you need to create the particular project, along
with specific dimensions. Each chapter concludes with detailed elevations
of the chapter's subject with all dimensions marked, and detail works
examined (such as dimensions of hardware pieces). Where applicable any
carvings from the originals have been recreated in detailed line drawings
for addition to the furniture projects. The furniture pieces progress
from simple to more difficult as you advance through the chapters.
The book is 180 pages in 19 chapters, paperback, and costs $19.95 (U.S.
funds) and $4.00 shipping and handling charges, for a total of $23.95. PA
residents add 6% PA sales tax. The publisher is Stackpole Books, ISBN
O-8117-2795-5.
Cheques or Money Orders ONLY. I'm sorry, but at this time I am not set
up to accept credit cards. Make your cheque or money order payable to
Robert Rich.
You can also go to Dan Diehl's WEBSITE at :
( http://users.aol.com/bbrisbane/ ) for further information.
So why am I selling these?? Dan is a very good friend of mine and I'm
doing this as a special favor to him because he is not here to market them
himself. I get the books directly through the author, and so every book
sold through me is profit in Dan's pocket rather than in the retailer's.
Afterall, he did do all the research and leg-work. Dan Diehl currently
resides in York, England where he writes, and has plans to publish a
second work on Medieval Furniture in the future.
Constructing Medieval Furniture, by Dan Diehl, can also be purchased
through my merchanting business, Brendan's Banners. You can find me at
Estrella War, AEthelmearc Crown Tourney, Pennsic XXVI, and AEthelmearc
Coronation to name a few.
If you are interested in placing an order . . . . . .
Send Checks or Money orders to:
Korby Art Studios, c/o Bob Rich, 1211 Logan Avenue, Tyrone PA 16686,
(again, made payable to Robert Rich)
EUROPEAN ORDERS: write to,
Oxbow Books
Park End Place
OX1 1HN
England
Oxbow at patrol.i-way.co.uk
+44-1865-241249 Phone
+44-1865-794449 Fax
Master Brendan Brisbane
From: Medievalbk at aol.com
To: Mark Harris
Date: Wed, 15 Jan 1997 20:39:31 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Re: NEW BOOK -- Medieval Fu
<< I was just replying to the original poster refuting
the claims that he made about being the only one who
had it for sale. >>
There were so many snips I couldn't tell who was what.
furniture books are mixed in with woodworking on the web page. I've listed
both what I have and what I can get through Interloc.
http://www.interloc.com/~medieval
I only have the title fragments 'medieval wood' and 'medieval furn' on
search. I do know that the best history of furniture books were printed in
France, and the next time I get to the LA collector's library I'm going to
start taking down titles.
Furniture listings are mostly Dover misc. I need the bibliography from the
new book.
1. Sotheby's: EUROPEAN WORKS OF ART, ARMS AND
ARMOUR, FURNITURE AND TAPESTRIES, New, illus.,
Auction catalog #6388; Everything in armour:
helms, suits, gauntlets, equestrian, shields.
Items from MET. ............$7.00 CAT No. 960
2. International Exhibitions Foundation:
PORTUGAL AND THE EAST THROUGH EMBROIDERY, New,
remain., pub: I. E. F. 1981, 40pp., illus.,
16th to 18th Century Coverlets from the Museu
Nacional de Arte Antiga, Lisbon. (Some
furniture as well.) ........$2.50 CAT No. 994
3. Watson, Sir Francis: HISTORY OF FURNITURE,
Remainder, pub: Black Cat 1990, 320pp.,
illus., Ancient and medieval are the first
chapter. .................$15.95 CAT No. 1722
4. Sotheby's: EUROPEAN WORKS OF ART, ARMS AND
ARMOUR, FURNITURE AND TAPESTRIES, New, illus.,
Auction catalog #5717; No armour, weapons,
swords, 17th c. crossbow. .$7.00 CAT No. 1736
5. Hart, Harold H.: CHAIRS THROUGH THE AGES, New,
PB, pub: Dover 144pp., Over 500
copyright-free illus. of chairs over a 3000
year period. ..............$8.95 CAT No. 2157
6. Salomonsky, Vera C.: MASTERPIECES OF
FURNITURE IN PHOTOGRAPHS AND MEASURED
DRAWINGS, New, PB, pub: Dover 212pp., 102
authentic museum pieces, 16th through 19th
century. Measurements detailed enough for
reproduction. .............$8.95 CAT No. 2190
7. Hurrell, John Weymouth: MEASURED DRAWINGS OF
OLD ENGLISH OAK FURNITURE, New, PB, pub:
Dover 110pp., 110 b/w plates, Best of 17th
and 18th century English oak furniture,
interior woodworking, and constructive
detail. ...................$7.95 CAT No. 2191
8. Ecke, Gustav: CHINESE DOMESTIC FURNITURE IN
PHOTOGRAPHS AND MEASURED DRAWINGS, New, PB,
pub: Dover 224pp., 161 illus., From early
Shang to late Ming. ......$13.95 CAT No. 2272
9. Katz, Sali: HISPANIC FURNITURE - AN AMERICAN
COLLECTION FROM THE SOUTHWEST, New, pub. at
$34.95, pub: Kampmann 1986, 224pp., 286
pieces illus., More than 290 photographs and
line drawings. Technical descriptions. .$18.00
CAT No. 2318
10. Sotheby's: EUROPEAN WORKS OF ART, ARMS AND
ARMOUR, FURNITURE AND TAPESTRIES, New, illus.,
Auction catalog #6266; Everything in armour:
helms, suits, gauntlets, equestrian. ...$7.00
CAT No. 2715
11. Ramsey, L. G. G., ed.: ANTIQUE ENGLISH
FURNITURE, Used, good, pub: E. P. Dutton New
York, 1961, 192pp., 64 pages of photo +
illus., From Tudor to early Victorian. .$7.00
CAT No. 2893
From: odlin at reed.edu (Iain Odlin)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: "Constructing Medieval Furniture"
Date: 11 Feb 1997 09:12:23 GMT
I purchased a copy of the new book (much touted by one seller here on
the Rialto) "Constructing Medieval Furniture" by Daniel Diehl a few weeks
ago in the hope that it would be the answer to my medieval furniture
prayers. To some degree, it was; the pieces depicted (and -- more im-
portantly -- measured!) are mostly originals, and the "How to build it"
instructions are sufficient to the purpose.
But I am saddened by the apparent lack of scholarship that went into this
book's creation. I quote the fifth paragraph of the Introduction: "Though
there is an endless flood of books on various aspects of life in the
Middle Ages, there has not, to my knowledge, been anything written on the
most visible surviving remnants of domestic life of the period -- household
furniture." When I read this passage, my hopes -- and with them, my ex-
pectations -- withered, for there on a bookshelf not four feet away from
me sat Mercer's "Furniture 700 - 1700", Thornton's "The Italian Renaissance
Interior" (which, despite its title, has much to offer on Medieval
furnishings as well), Jenning's "Early Chests in Wood and Iron", photocopies
from the magnificent "Oak Furniture" bu Victor Chinnery, and a few
museum catalogs (most notably, the Cluny's), every one of them a testament
to a lack of basic research for the book in my hands.
Predictably enough, the book has no Bibliography and none of its few
'historical notes' are referenced in any way. The construction notes are
complete enough to be useful, but the book as a whole is extremely short
on detail of any kind (most of the historical information is presented as
a quick sentence or two in the form: "This is an <X>, which was used thus
and made of this. The <X>'s [condition/usage] probably indicates <Y>.")
and is very threadbare, making it an amazingly quick read.
As a pattern book, "Constructing Medieval Furniture" does very well, but
in all other ways, it -- unfortunately -- falls far short of the mark.
-Iain Odlin, odlin at reed.edu
From: powers at colon.cis.ohio-state.edu (william thomas powers)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: "Constructing Medieval Furniture"
Date: 11 Feb 1997 10:32:07 -0500
Organization: The Ohio State University, Department of Computer and Information Science
"Constructing Medieval Furniture" by Daniel Diehl
I too purchased this book due to its mention on the Rialto. I got what I
pretty much expected---not what was claimed. This is a nice book on a very
general level written for a wide audience. As such it will fairly painlessly
walk you through the construction of several pieces of furniture dated, (and
documented) to the medieval period. (though not to the early medieval period:
as dated in their pictures 1 13th cent, 6 14th cent, 6 15th cent and 2 16th
cent and the wall hanging.).
As such I was pleased that the projects covered a range of items--including
a wall hanging, chairs, chests, a bed, a window frame, a door, a metal
candle stand, etc (16 projects). I would have liked to see more discussion
on medieval joinery techniques--but this is a bit much to ask for a general
issue work.
As a smith I was both pleased and dismayed by the metalwork in this book.
Pleased that many of the pieces included the metalwork that is found on so
many of the original pieces. Dismayed at how it was handled. It seemed to me
that the metalworking part was being written by a woodworker---and so missed
some of the subtleties. He does cover working the bars to hide their modern
looks; however one of the "hallmarks" of hand forged hardware is that is
changes it cross section in a continuous "plastic" manner. Hardware made
from strap stock will look "clunky" and contrived compared to the originals.
Also people are expected to have access to a welding torch; but not a forge
even though a torch is an expensive piece of equipment and a forge can be made
for under US$5.....(why they want to do it a hard expensive way that results
in something that doesn't look right rather than an easy cheap period way.....)
The thing that bothered me the most was the broad claim that "The process of
aging and curing wood was unknown" Where the *HECK* did he get this from?
Theophilus circa 1120 mentions that for making a wind chest you should "get
yourself two planks of well dried plane tree wood" sure looks like he knew
that when dimensional stability was required that you should use aged wood.
Heat curing may not have been used but aging was known.
So: Would I advise people to purchase it? Yes, especially if you want to make
some furniture and are not well versed in the craft; but I would not advise you
to go sell your plasma to get it...like almost any source; parts
should be taken with a grain of salt.
For another view on medieval furniture projects--(unfortunately done using
modern techniques):
Masterpieces, Richard Ball & Peter Campbell, subtitle: Making Furniture From
Paintings, 20 projects: ISBN 0-688-02488-2, Hearst Books, New York
copyright 1983
Thomas who reads things for wilelm the smith
From: powers at woodstock.cis.ohio-state.edu (william thomas powers)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Making Portable SCA Furniture
Date: 12 Aug 1997 10:27:33 -0400
Organization: The Ohio State University, Department of Computer and Information Science
While I was hanging around on the bridge; grousing that I hadn't got
a chance to travel to the great Pennsic fair this year and hoping that
this nasty cough wasn't consumption---or the plague----I heard Aeron
comment:
>If it's the book I have (which I'm pretty sure it is) be wary of certain
>things the author says. He seems to be a metal smith who has to throw in
>some wood working techniques that he knows little about. I can't remember
>the details, but if anyone's wanting examples, I'll try to supply them
>later.
>Aeron Harper
ARGHHHH a thousand times ARGHHHH. It was the *metalworking* that I as a
smith had problems with! It read just like a woodworker's approach to
metal and not like a smith's at all! The use of artificially distressed
constant sized straps is a dead give away. The true joy in doing smithing
is that each piece can change its thickness and width in all directions of
the piece. Using constant sized strapping doesn't look right.
The author may be a welder though, they tend to treat metal demensions as a
"given" to be removed or added to but not shifted around in a plastic
manner---just look at the iron candle stand in the picture with its long
smooth tapered shaft and look at his instructions to weld a bigger piece
on top of the smaller and fill in the fillet!
And BTW I have worked in a custom woodshop for several years supporting my
family so I do have a feeling for wood as well.
Good Aeron; Have you ever looked through this book?
Masterpieces, Richard Ball & Peter Campbell, subtitle: Making Furniture From
Paintings, 20 projects: ISBN 0-688-02488-2, Hearst Books, New York
copyright 1983
about 1/2 of the projects are from our period; the documentation is good.
the plans, cutting list, order of wook are too. The only problem with it
is the use of modern techniques----like a glue-up rather than the simpler
and more period method of steam bending. With this caveat its a great
book, look it up if you get the chance. (some of the projects are: a
simple bench, the miser's chest, a nice trestle table, a bed several
chairs, a stool, a book stand, ?)
From: powers at colon.cis.ohio-state.edu (william thomas powers)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: steam bending (was Re: Making Portable SCA Furniture)
Date: 12 Aug 1997 19:00:21 -0400
Organization: The Ohio State University, Department of Computer and Information Science
>I had a couple of questions on steam bending...
>
>For smallish projects (such as in this book) how much room does a steam
>box (?) take up? What is a good source for information on how to
>construct such a thing?
The steam box will probably be 4-6" square and 6' long---it can be made
from wood, plywood, pvc pipe, thinwall metal pipe. since it is never
under pressure and doesn't exceed 212 degree F all it has to do is
hold the piece of wood and allow steam to circulate. When not in use
you can stand it in a corner or up in the rafters.
The Woodwrights series covers steaming. There was an extensive article in
Fine Woodworking magazine back in the '70s which is sure to be in
reprint in one of their compilations. The US Department of Agriculture
Wood Handbook has a section on steambending. Many traditional woodworking
books will cover it. Look under "bending" and "steam bending" in the index.
(I prefer the Fine Woodworking article myself)
>When did it start being used (in England and Northern Europe)?
I don't know. My sources are basically to look at a piece of furniture
and see if it was constructed using bent rather than hewn or sawn wood.
Not as hard as you may think in person by following the grain, in pictures
it is a guess based on construction and design details---you usually
design for the techniques you are familiar with. Note Oak is one of the
better steam bending woods with beech close behind---both well represented
in nothern Europe/england. One might also check when barrels were
constructed with heat bent staves.
>My understanding is that Henry the VIII's fleet was made using
>steam boxes, but I am told that the Viking ships were not, each
>plank being hewn to shape. Any thoughts or knowledge out there
>about either of these alledged facts?
Not my area of research.
>Thanks for any information you can give me.
>Robert
>Real Men change diapers
Been there, done that, ruined several shirts....
wilelm the smith who works wood as an adjunct to smithing and as a means
of providing objects for a more period existance.
a couple of other books:
"Period Furniture Design" Charles H. Hayward, Sterling Publishing Co
isbn 0-8069-7664-0 "oak stool late 15th; oak chest, oak drawtable
early 16th, oak chest 1600, oak bed end first 1/2 16th; all are just
measured drawings with all the work left to the craftsman.
"Encyclopedia of Spanish Period Furniture Designs" Jose' Claret Rubira
Sterling Publishing co, isbn 0-8069-7902-X 67 pages covers 14th century
to late 16th early 17th century mainly chests and chairs. Very nice drawings
but no indication of scale. Many highly ornate with blow-up drawings of
the ornamentation. 270 more pages covering from the 17th through the
19th centuries.
From: Tom Rettie <tom at nospamformeplease.his.com>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Making Portable SCA Furniture
Date: Wed, 13 Aug 1997 08:51:35 -0700
Organization: Heller Information Services, Inc.
Aeron Harper wrote:
> If it's the book I have (which I'm pretty sure it is) be wary of certain
> things the author says. He seems to be a metal smith who has to throw in
> some wood working techniques that he knows little about. I can't remember
> the details, but if anyone's wanting examples, I'll try to supply them
> later.
I assume that folks are referring to Dan Diehl's book on medieval
furniture. I picked up this book with hope that someone had finally put
out a volume on period construction techniques, but unfortunately it
turned out to be very much lacking. For what it is, sort of an idea
book for modern woodworkers based on existing artifacts, it's a fine
book. But the research is thin, nothing is sourced other than the
artifacts themselves, and the techniques are mostly modern.
For example:
His explanation of how to peg mortise and tenon joints is thoroughly
modern. He dismisses drawboring (a term he doesn't use) as unnecessary
and relating only to working in green wood (nonsense). He doesn't say
anything about making pegs (store-bought dowels aren't medieval).
His statement that curing wood was "unknown" to medieval carpenters is
bunk. Try making a barrel with green wood.
He mentions in passing some period techniques, but then in the
construction notes advises sanding, using screws, and other modern
techniques.
His advice for joining up two boards is to go the lumber yard and get
them to do it for you. Even if you're not up to the challenge of
edge-gluing, there are other period alternatives (such as using battens,
at least for chest/table tops) that will produce a much more authentic
appearance.
Please excuse me if I seem to be nitpicking. For a general audience,
I'm sure that his level of instruction is adequate; I had just been
hoping for something more for the recreationist.
Finnlaech mac Alasdair
From: Kel Rekuta <krekuta at tor.hookup.net>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: portable furniture
Date: Fri, 22 Aug 1997 20:56:52 -0700
Organization: Kilmallen Consulting
~Parador Moon~ wrote:
> I am looking for sources/ideas for tables that would be used around
> the 1500's at fairs, tournies, etc. I have references for tables
> people had in their homes. I am more interested in what people used
> when they traveled, especially to fairs or tournaments.
> Were they collapsable? How? Or did they just lug their normal
> tables around?
>
> Arabella
Trestle tables are quite portable unless the construction is very heavy.
The top can be a row of planks which are quite portable as well. They
stack up very nicely in a wagon or on the side walls. I think you will
find stylistic examples of trestle tables for that period in Eric
Mercer, Medieval Furniture 700-1700. Many libraries have it. Any table
with pegged tenon construction will work fine. You could even make it
out of "plywood" for simplicity of construction. But then why bother
making it period?
Ceallach
From: powers at woodstock.cis.ohio-state.edu (william thomas powers)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: portable furniture
Date: 22 Aug 1997 22:14:00 -0400
Organization: The Ohio State University, Department of Computer and Information Science
> I am looking for sources/ideas for tables that would be used around
>the 1500's at fairs, tournies, etc. I have references for tables
>people had in their homes. I am more interested in what people used
>when they traveled, especially to fairs or tournaments.
> Were they collapsable? How? Or did they just lug their normal
>tables around?
>Arabella
Well I can't address what was travelled with; but "Masterpieces"
Making Furniture from Paintings, Richard Ball and Peter Campbell,
isbn 0-688-02488-2; has a table that could be made to break down
easily (and my guess was that the original depicted in the painting
was built to come apart for travel/storage.)
The painting it is based on is "Christ in the house of Simon",
by Dirk Bouts 1415-1475---he lived in the low countries
So it may be applicable for your use.
wilelm the smith
From: Anne Price / Aine vearch Donnaauldus <sybella at gte.net>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: portable furniture
Date: 23 Aug 1997 05:41:32 GMT
Organization: MT Design
Kel Rekuta wrote:
> ~Parador Moon~ wrote:
> >
> > I am looking for sources/ideas for tables that would be used around
> > the 1500's at fairs, tournies, etc. I have references for tables
> > people had in their homes. I am more interested in what people used
> > when they traveled, especially to fairs or tournaments.
> > Were they collapsable? How? Or did they just lug their normal
> > tables around?
> >
> > Arabella
> >
>
> Trestle tables are quite portable unless the construction is very heavy.
> The top can be a row of planks which are quite portable as well. They
> stack up very nicely in a wagon or on the side walls. I think you will
> find stylistic examples of trestle tables for that period in Eric
> Mercer, Medieval Furniture 700-1700. Many libraries have it. Any table
> with pegged tenon construction will work fine. You could even make it
> out of "plywood" for simplicity of construction. But then why bother
> making it period?
>
> Ceallach
One of the books in the Buckskining series [tandy carries them] has a
whole section on portable furniture. Anther has the instructions for
making trunks. Also while they are aimed at a period of time past what
we play in, many of the clothing, and furniture tiems are quite good for SCA,
they even have patterns.
Ihave a portable food box that uses rawhide as part of the back to make
it lighter, I waterproofed the rawhide after nailing on, painting to my
liking.
aine
From: rsrchins <rsrchins at cts.com>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Viking rowing benches
Date: Wed, 27 Aug 1997 15:49:26 -0700
Someone asked about folding furniture a few months ago, and I suggested
that if you could carry your stuff in our furniture, it woudn't have to
be foldable. The example I mentioned was the Viking rowing bench. I got
several request for more info, so here it is.
Below is a rough drawing of a such a bench. Since it had to be drawn
with ASCII characters, it is not to scale, and the slope of the
end-pieces is more extreme than on the ones we make in Drafn. Pictures
of rowing benches can be found in Tre Tyckari's book The Vikings. One of
the examples in the book appears to be about 2' long, another appears to
be about 4'.
The end pieces are typically made from 1" X 11" boards. The tops are
typically 1" X 13" assemblies made by gluing/pegging contrastingly
colored 1" X 1" strips to both sides of a 1" X 11". If the sides are
less than 3/8" thick, you will need to reinforce them with stringers.
The thickness of the bottom should be proportional to the weight you
think your retainers can lift.
Make the legs long enough to keep your booty dry when waves wash over
the decks of your longship (or to slide your shield under it when
packing your Suburban.)
Quick 'n dirty rowing benches can be nailed (and glued) or screwed (and
glued), but the really nice ones are made with slots and tabs
(impossible to show here) and then pegged (and usually glued to boot).
Depending on how you hang the hinges, you may want to put a chain from
the lid to an end-piece to keep the weight of the lid from bending the
hinges back when left open. A hasp is a good idea if you are going to
keep valuables in your rowing bench.
If you get the Tryckari book, look at the little chair that was found in
Queen Asa's grave ship. They are more work, but they dress up a camp
site very nicely. I made a large version of one which doubles as an
armor box.
Tryggvi Halftrollsson (Caid, Calafia, Drafn)
|<--AS LONG AS YOU WANT-->|
__________/ /____________ ______
__===| \ \ |===__ |
| | TOP | | ABOUT 11"
| | VIEW | | |
|__ | / / | __| |
===|_________\ \___________|=== ______
_________\ \___________ _____________ ______
---^-----/ /-------^--- ------------- |
/ ^ \ \ ^ \<A> || || |
/ SIDE/FRONT \ || END || ABOUT 17"
/ VIEW \ || VIEW || |
/ / / \ || || |
/ \ \ \ || || |
/=============/ /==============\\ | | |
//<-----Leg, part of end-piece \\ |________| _______
Legend:
<A> = ABOUT 7 DEGREE ANGLE FROM VERTICAL
// = break in drawing
^ = HINGE
^
Subject: Check out Barley Hall in Particular - Medieval Furniture ca 1483
Date: Sat, 27 Dec 97 19:51:15 MST
From: rmhowe <magnusm at ncsu.edu>
To: "Windmasters' Hill Baronial List - The Keep" <windmasters at trinet.com>
http://www.missouri.edu/~mrswww/spaces/
This one is for all you furniture freaks out there.
Missouri University Medieval Reenactment Society - partially SCA.
Barley Hall is a cooperating project with Jorvik Viking Center.
Subject: Gothic Table and Glastonbury Chair Plans
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 1998 20:37:04 -0500
From: rmhowe <magnusm at ncsu.edu>
Organization: Windmaster's Hill, Atlantia, and the GDH
To: Merryrose <atlantia at atlantia.sca.org>
Subject: Gothic Table Plans in March 1988 Popular Woodworking
In Sept. 1997 these people printed plans for the Glastonbury Chair.
That magazine is still available for $4.50 by calling (513) 531-2690
extension 320, ask for issue #98. As I recall that same issue had a
companion article on an Arts and Crafts table that also looked very
medieval. I have seen similar in medieval blockprints. Two for one.
The March 1998 issue (#101) of Popular Woodworking features a plan for
a small Gothic table with a bookshelf underneath. 42"L x 20"W x 29
7/8"H,
or roughly the height of a regular dining table. With the shelf
underneath it wouldn't be really comfortable to sit with your legs
under, but if the horizontal bookshelf were turned vertically you would
have 9 1/2" in front of your shins and it might make a nice little
table for the list field, beside chairs, or for one to eat at. A
nice tent size. The magazine is $4 & tax at the newstand or call and
order.
They are also interested to learn if their readers are interested in
more medieval style projects. Popwood at earthlink.net, specify P9 in
the March 1998 issue to let them know this. The editor is Steve Shanesy.
Magnus Malleus, Windmasters Hill, Atlantia, and the GDH
From: getridofthis_levey at netcom.com (Don Levey)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Building Medieval Furniture ?
Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 18:31:27 GMT
Organization: WorldWide Access - Midwestern Internet Services - www.wwa.com
On 26 Mar 98 09:31:11 -0500, claude at nickel.laurentian.ca wrote:
> I am a medieval enthousiast, as many of you are, and I wish to build
>medieval furniture to add to my slowly increasing collection of period
>items. I have ordered a book called "Constructing Medieval Furniture" but
>have yet to receive it. You know how snail mail works.
>
> What I would like to know is if there are web sites out there that have
>plans for medieval furniture ?
>
> Claude.
For a start, try:
http://www.deltawoodworking.com/delta/projects/Project53.html
for a small 15th century stool.
-Don
From: "Daniel Hill" <danhill at sprint.ca>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Building Medieval Furniture ?
Date: 30 Mar 1998 03:02:33 GMT
I have a site that speaks of furniture of the 14th century. However I have
not included plans as medieval furniture followed no such thing. Basically
what was needed was made to suit. There was no standardization as we have
today. The 14th century saw a change from lap joints to tongue and groove
joinery. The 12th century had turned furniture as this was in fashion then.
All I may say is find the exact period you wish, and make your furniture to
fit your size. This allows a hutch to be from one foot six inches long to
four feet long. Whatever you need. :-) Most web pages would not show the
diversity of items due to server space. Hitting the books in the local
University library is still the best way I am afraid.
With your leave to sign myself,
Daniel
MY HOME PAGE = http://www.bestware.net/wendysweb/home/dan/homepage.htm
14th CENTURY PAGE = http://www.bestware.net/wendysweb/research/14cent.htm
Date: Thu, 21 May 1998 14:25:47 -0700 (PDT)
From: Sandy King <sandymail1 at yahoo.com>
To: SCA-ARTS at UKANS.EDU
Subject: Things you can do with oak lumber
Check out the plans for 12th Century furniture (!) at:
www.shopalberta.com/buildit/
Everything from simple tables/chairs/benches to very elaborate beds,
thrones, etc. Great site!
Cassy of Wolf's Rock
From: Brian Ernsten <jackyl at inconnect.com>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Home Sweet Home...
Date: Thu, 24 Sep 1998 02:42:37 -0600
blakwode wrote:
> My husband is interested in making period wooden furniture for our
> pavilion. Could someone guide me to patterns and/or instructions for
> tables, beds, etc?
http://www.teleport.com/~tguptill/furniture.htm
This address will give you info for making many types of furniture,
tents, and other camping gear.
Moira - in the Barony of Lach Salaan
Date: Sun, 11 Oct 1998 12:00:21 -0400
From: Karen at stierbach.atlantia.sca.org (Larsdatter, Karen )
To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu
Subject: Furniture construction websites
You might also want to check
http://moas.atlantia.sca.org/topics/wood.htm for some
woodworking, carpentry, and furniture construction websites ...
please send me an e-mail if there are some websites which ought
to be added to the page :)
Karen Larsdatter
Date: Sun, 11 Oct 1998 18:33:46 -0400
From: rmhowe <magnusm at ncsu.edu>
To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu
Subject: Re: medieval furniture
Carol Thomas wrote:
> >I've thought about buying that book myself. Does anyone have
any coments on this book? Is it worth the money?
I think Daniel Diehl's Medieval Furniture book is good in some
aspects, impractical in others. If you don't know much about how
furniture was made it is a good book and the only one available at
the present. Is it worth the money? Considering the lack of other
easily available information on the subject - a definite yes.
On the other hand some of the projects are so huge that they are
impractical to consider for normal SCA (or average house) use.
They are simply too large and too heavy to transport. Some are
nice, some are more difficult than others. Generally you have to
use a lot of forethought and common sense if you don't have a lot
of experience. Keep in mind that the SCA is a very mobile culture.
But almost all big things are made the same way - one piece at a
time. Concentrate on doing each one well and generally the whole
will reflect the care spent on the sum of the pieces.
It does have its good aspects. At least it concentrates on one period
as opposed to having to go through a great many books to find period
material in scant quantity.
There is another book called Medieval Furniture by Penelope Eames
that went out of print about 20 years ago. It concentrated on England,
France and the Netherlands.
Personally, I like going through art books and looking at paintings,
illuminations, and sculpture in various materials to learn about the
furnishings of previous times. You can read about the details in a
few books but see better examples in art, even on cathedrals or tombs.
The early plantagenets for example rest in effigy on beds for tombs.
Many beds are found on religious carvings usually above portals. So
are thrones, scribes chairs and desks.
Generally, you will find that during the middle ages most furniture
in early periods was made in Italy, and little else survived intact.
What did survive is mostly in churches, monasteries, or immobile.
Mobilier (or similar) is the word for furniture in some languages,
just because it could be carried from place to place.
Check out Italian Renaissance Interiors, it is not too far out of print.
It is pretty much definitive in English on that period.
Look at paintings from the Low Countries like Flanders or the
Netherlands. You won't find much medieval furniture predating the
Tudor era from England. I have a picture of an etching showing
two men shoveling chairs and stools with wooden shovels. It looks
like it was a design to arc over a door and shows mostly turned items.
Northern Renaissance Painting is a good example of a book to look in.
Life in Holland in the Year 1566 by Poorvliet shows the construction
of some furniture.
Also check out Sella Curalis, (or X framed chairs from Roman through
medieval times).
Before I disabled I was a furniture shop foreman and cabinetmaker for
quite a while. I've probably built about the same amount as Diehl.
Would still be doing it if it weren't for the fibromyalgia. Right
now I'm not quite up to chasing down all the references / sources
but there are a few to start.
Magnus
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1998 02:08:26 -0700
From: "Brandy Dickson" <query at mindless.com>
To: <sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu>
Subject: Re: medieval furniture
A site called Ravenspeak has some drawings of Viking chests that are easily
transportable.... I don't know if they are their own patterns, or if they
are modified other ones, but check them out....
http://members.home.net/mikhail/index.html
Desamona
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1998 19:15:19 -0400 (EDT)
From: Tom Rettie <tom at his.com>
To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu
Subject: Re: medieval furniture
>I've thought about buying that book myself. Does anyone have any coments on
>this book? Is it worth the money?
The worth of this book depends a lot on what you want to do with it. If
you're a modern woodworker and want to produce a replica using modern
methods, this book will give you some useful information (e.g., measured
drawings). If you're interested in medieval woodworking techniques and
producing something closer to an "artifact," approach this book with much
caution. The opening chapter is laced with misinformation (e.g., that
curing wood was "unknown" in the middle ages) and the techniques for
joining are mostly modern (e.g., he does not drawbore his pegged joints).
For general techniques, Roy Underhill's "Woodwright" series is probably the
most accessible and commonly available. His speciality is later than SCA
period, but he does have references to earlier periods and many of the hand
tool techniques changed little.
Fin
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 1998 19:12:01 -0500
From: Tom Rettie <tom at his.com>
To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu
Subject: Re: Portable Medieval Furniture
The most respectable Timothy Albrecht Van Vlear wrote:
>I'm looking for sources and info on Medieval Furniture that doesn't
>require a moving van and a team of movers to get it from one event to
>another.
>
>Does anyone have any inforamtion on period pieces that can be knocked
>down for travel? I am tired of looking at slip covered directors
>chairs! :)
You'll find several projects in Roy Underhill's Woodwright series that can
be adapted for SCA use. Though his timeframe is post-period, several of
his projects are either "close enough" or can be modified for use at events.
The Woodwright's Shop: his instructions for a shaving horse can be easily
modified for splay-leg benches.
The Woodwright's Workbook: a 6 board chest with interior till. Dimensions
can be adjusted for a more practical feast chest. Also information on
hand-powered lathes.
The Woodwright's Eclectic Workshop: folding X-chairs.
The Woodwright's Apprentice: A very usable sawbuck trestle table, knocks
down flat. Also a panel chest with through-tenons in the Irish/Spanish
fashion.
Fin
Subject: Re: medieval furniture
Date: Sat, 17 Oct 1998 11:39:50 -0500
From: Tom Rettie <tom at his.com>
To: stefan at texas.net
What follows is a list of books that I have found helpful in researching
period furniture and woodworking. Many of these books are out of print,
but an inquiry at your local library can often retrieve a copy through
inter-library loan. Many are also available through used booksellers. I
found my copy of Eric Mercer's book through Amazon.com, though it took a
few weeks. I'm still seeking a copy of Penelope Eames book. Fortunately,
I'm in the DC area and can visit the Library of Congress; no check-outs,
but I can photocopy.
For general instruction in the use of hand tools, Roy Underhill's
Woodwright series of books is a good place to start, along with his PBS TV
series. It's a bit hokey in places, but the basic skills are all there.
Findlaech mac Alasdair
Late of the Barony of Ponte Alto in the Kingdom of Atlantia.
==============================================
About Wood:
Rykwert, Joseph; Leach, Neil; and Tavernor, Robert, translators; Leon
Battista Alberti On the Art of Building in Ten Books. The MIT Press,
Cambridge, MA, 1996. Includes a rare period discussion on different types
of wood and their uses, including methods of seasoning and preserving. In
Print.
About Period Tools:
Arwidsson, Greta, The Mastermyr Find: A Viking Age Tool Chest from Gotland.
Kungl. Vitterhets Historie Och Antikvitets Akademien, Almquist & Wiksell Intl.,
Stockholm, Sweden, 1983. Discusses Viking age woodworking and
metal-working tools, woodworking techniques, and material culture. Out of
Print.
Goodman, W.L., The History of Woodworking Tools. David McKay & Company,
Inc., New York, 1964. A general overview of various woodworking tools,
including the Middle Ages. Out of Print.
Mercer, Henry C., Ancient Carpenters' Tools. Bucks County Historical Society,
Doylestown, PA, 1960. A general overview of carpenters tools, focusing on 18th
and 19th century American tools, but with occasional references to medieval
and earlier periods. Out of Print.
About Woodworking and Technology:
Friel, Ian, The Good Ship: Ships, Shipbuilding, and Technology in England,
1200-1520. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD, 1995.
Discusses tools, materials, and techniques used in medieval ship
construction. I Print.
Underhill, Roy, The Woodwright's Work Book. The University of North
Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, NC, 1986. Includes an annotated version of The
Debate of the Carpenter's Tools, a 15th century manuscript that includes
references to a variety of woodworking tools. In Print.
Bealer, Alex W. Old Ways of Working Wood. Castle Books, Edison, NJ, 1980.
A general overview of using hand tools. Historical notes are largely
undocumented and should not be regarded as authoritative. In Print.
Taylor, V.J., Period Furniture Projects. David and Charles, 1994. Includes
only two late period projects: a panel chest and a cupboard, but others
(such as the rope bed) can be adapted. Includes notes about period
joinery, glue, and finishes. In Print.
About Period Furniture:
Mercer, Eric. Furniture, 700-1700 (A social history of the decorative
arts). Meridith Press, New York, NY, 1969. Profusely illustated with
surviving artifacts and period illustrations. Mercer's commentary can be
opinionated and sometimes is not well substantiated. Out of Print.
Gloag, John. A Social History of Furniture Design from BC 1300 to AD 1960.
Bonanza Books, New York, 1966. Well illustrated with artifacts and period
illustrations throughout the medieval and rennaisance periods. Interesting
commentary on construction, but unsubstantiated. Out of Print.
Tracey, Charles. English Medieval Furniture and Woodwork. Victoria and
Albert Museum, London, 1988. Catalog entries for V&A medieval wood
artifacts. Mostly covers carved panels, decorative pieces, does include
some furniture including chests, tables, and benches. In Print.
Hayward, Helena. World Furniture. The Hamlyn Publishing Group, London,
1965. Well illustrated and commented on the development of furniture
throughout the middle ages and after. Includes regional differences.
Eames, Penelope. Furniture in England, France, and the Netherlands from
the 12th to the 15th Century. 1977. An often cited reference, hard to
find.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Tom Rettie tom at his.com
Heather Bryden bryden at hers.com
--------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 19 Oct 1998 02:45:06 -0400
From: Melanie Wilson <MelanieWilson at compuserve.com>
To: "INTERNET:stefan at texas.net" <stefan at texas.net>
Cc: LIST SCA arts <sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu>
Subject: Furniture book list
English Church woodwork & furniture 1250-1500 F E Howard & F H Crossley
Ancient Church chests and Chairs in the home counties around greater London
Fred Roe
Old English furniture: the oak period 1550-1630 J T Garside
English renaissance woodwork 1660-1730 T J Beveridge
English furniture & decoration 1680-1800 G Montague Ellwood
Old english furniture for the small collector(medieval-victorian) J P Blake
& A E Reveirs-Hopkins
Decoration & furniture in England during the early renaissance 1500-1660
M Jourdain
Furniture in England from 1660-1760 F Lengyon
Mel
From: Esther Heller <munged_name at kodak.com>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Making green-wood furniture - resources?
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1998 11:15:12 -0500
Organization: Eastman Kodak Company
hallh at evangel.edu wrote:
> From what I have read, much early medieval furniture was made of "green"
> wood. I would like to try this, but I know it requires different techniques
> because of the way the wood shrinks as it dries. Anyone know of a resource
> to guide me in the technical aspects?
There are a couple of possibilities. John Alexander "Make a chair from
a tree" goes into an interlocking joint for which the tooling
(spoon bits) is certainly period, but I am dubious about the style.
Michael Dunbar "Make a windsor chair with Michael Dunbar" (only 100-150
years OOP!) has an extensive discussion in his book about a wet and
dry interlocking joint that he has since repudiated, so don't take
that as gospel. For what is probably very close to period technique
check out Roy Underhill on PBS and with I think 5 books in print.
Roy is using the same axes and drawknives that you can see in the
Viking age Mastermyr find.... And sticks with wooden planes whose
major OOP feature seems to be cap irons in some cases.
I am really curious the sources for the conclusion that a lot of
furniture was made green. Dielh in his medieval furniture book
makes the statement, but doesn't back it up, and as a woodworker
I don't particularly buy it as a universal statement, especially
since Ceninni and I think even Theophilus talk about using seasoned
wood. (books at home and I am at work)
Where I think it does come up is certain techniques are easier with
green wood, but the parts _when used_ can be dry. Turning with
split not sawn green wood is a lot easier than with seasoned,
especially with a pole lathe, the the parts made are spindles that
dry quickly. Smaller things like the spindles for windsor chairs
are done with a drawknife and spokeshave but then dried before
you use them. Splitting wood by hand tends to produce either
small cross section (spindles) or wedges of the original cross
section of a tree (equivalent of quartersawn), and both of those
happen to shrink comparatively little while drying.
I am really serious about wanting to see the documentation. There
are post period pieces that have known construction problems
like cross grain attached to lengthwise grain that will have
problems in a modern North American house because the cross grain
changes with humidity and the lengthwise doesn't. There are many
people into 18th century antiques who see this as a problem with
the house where the humidity fluctuates more due to central heating,
not as a problem with the furniture. Exactly the same contruction
is in the earlier chests I have seen...Mastermyr being exhibit A.
If you are interested in making documentable early furniture,
email me. I am trying to figure out if I can teach what I
know about handtool woodworking technique through a web page
and would love to have somebody try it! Note that the automatic
reply is munged for Usenet.
Esther Heller eoh at kodak dot com
[Submitted by: rmhowe <magnusm at ncsu.edu>]
Subject: Re: Chairs
Date: Wed, 20 Jan 1999 21:26:11 -0500
From: Peter Adams <redduke at earthlink.net>
To: atlantia at atlantia.sca.org
JBRMM266 at aol.com wrote:
> Has anyone any information on what is commonly known as the Glastonbury chair?
> I have seen inllustrations, but all attempts to reverse-engineer it from those
> has been .... well, less than a success.
>
> ~Donal
You will find the construction notes for a version of the Glastonbury
chair starting p151 in Daniel Diehls book _Constructing Medieval
Furniture_ currently available from the SCA stock clerk for about $20.
It is a good start, though despite his claims I still have some
questions about construction techniques used, especially the nails into
endgrain.
If you want some SCA furniture based on period design without doing
laurel level research, this is your best commercially available
resource.
For more advanced students, I reccommend the following texts (among
many others, and in no particular order of merit)
_Master Pieces, Making Furniture from Paintings_ There are several nice
medieval pieces in this book, though they are interpreted by modern
cabinet makers. The patterns are generally larger in scope and tougher
than Diehl.
_Sella Curulis_ (chair of state) Ole Wanscher (no trans. attributed); As
far as I know the definitive discussion on the x and s chair through
history.
_Furniture in England, France and the Netherlands from the 12th to the
15th Century_ Penolpe Eames Furniture History Society London 1977; a
survey of most surviving medieval furniture, many museum pieces
deliberately left aside from doubtful provenance. Includes many death
inventories, offers commentary on social significance of furniture types
_History of English Furniture Vol 1 the Age of Oak, 1500-1660_ Percy
MacQuoid Dover Publications Inc NY 1972; A reprint of a 1904 work,
much of which has been updated in other sources, but some good photos
_Oak Furniture, the British Tradition_ Victor Chinnery 1979, Antique
Collectors Club Ltd, Woodbridge Suffolk, IP 12 1DS; a massive tome on
the subject profusely and exelently illustrated.
_English Medieval Furniture and Woodwork_ Charles Tracy, Victoria and
Albert Museum 1988; Highlights the best of The V and A collection.
For Medieval woodwork I reccomend the following,
_Woodwrights' (fill in the blank)_ Roy Underhill. Traditional hand
woodworking, primarily dealing with Colonial projects, but many of the
technologies are appropriate for medieval use. Underhill is concise and
precise about what and why the tool is doing what it does.
_Mechanic Excercises_ Joseph Moxon Astragal Press (on loan sorry no
isbn) Reprint of the 1703 "how to" book, touted as the first ever of
the genre in the english language. Smithing, masonry, turning, joinery
and house carpentry. A must have for any student of medieval
technology.
_Woodworking Techniques befor AD 1500_ Sean McGrail et Al. BAR
International Series 129, 1982; The state of academic knowledge of all
types of woodworking from the prehistoric to the Medieval, another must
have for its citations on turning, materials, and techniques.
_History of Woodworking Tools_ W L Goodman, David McKay Company Inc.
1964; This work dates relatively accurately the time periods for the
use of specific hand tools, and is an excellent source for documentation
of technique. It helps to place information from other sources in
context as well as being a good general history of the developement of
tool use in western society from Egyptian times to the present.
Badouin
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 19:35:35 -0500
From: Tom Rettie <tom at his.com>
To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu
Subject: Re: Furniture: To paint or not to paint?
>Could any of the wise and well read gentles on this list tell me if
>wooden furniture was commonly painted during the sixteenth century in
>any part of Western Europe? I do not mean ornamentaly but over-all.
>
>Any citations would also be deeply apreciated.
Good my Lord Ruaidhri,
Mostly I am familiar with English furniture, and by the end of the 16th
century there appears to have been a move away from painted furniture.
It's very hard to make absolute statements, because there are exceedingly
few examples of surviving original finishes. There are numerous citations
of painted furniture in inventories and wills, with red and green
apparently very popular.
For many household pieces, fabric was the dominant form of decoration;
beds, tables, sideboards, etc. were draped in fabric or covered with
"turkeywork" rugs. When Bess of Hardwick rebuilt Hardwick Hall at the end
of the century, the cost of the textiles (wall hangings, rugs, etc.)
exceeded the cost of the house itself.
There is a theory, unsubstantiated as far as I know, that earlier medieval
furniture was repainted annually (the basis for "spring cleaning") due to
the sooty conditions of pre-chimney architecture. If true, it is likely
that it was painted "all over." I have not found any period references to
this practice.
There is an excellent discussion of 16th and 17th century furniture
decoration in Victor Chinnery's "Oak Furniture, The British Tradition."
This book can be found in many libraries and I know Barnes and Noble stocks
it.
Findlaech mac Alasdair
Atlantia
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 21:32:09 +0000
From: "William T. Fleming" <gorp at erols.com>
To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu
Subject: Re: Furniture: To paint or not to paint?
> Look at the art history and at paintings by artists of your chosen time
> and place. Many of them included furniture in their indoor scenes.
>
> Hertha
Ah yes, I have found some funishings in art work which seems to be
painted. But alas, I am not sure whether it is red or black paint or the
color of a natural wood as the artist chose to depict it.
--Ruaidhri
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 22:24:37 -0400 (EDT)
From: Grace Morris <gmorris at cs14.pds.charlotte.nc.us>
To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu
Subject: Re: Furniture: To paint or not to paint?
You might check The Italian Renaissance Interior by Peter Thornton. If
they did it in Italy, this phenomenal book will certainly tell you.
Jessamyn di Piemonte
Atlantia
Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1999 00:18:14 +0200
From: Anna Jartin <anna.jartin at goteborg.utfors.se>
To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu
Subject: SV: Furniture: To paint or not to paint?
-----Ursprungligt meddelande-----
Fr=E5n: William T. Fleming <gorp at erols.com>
>Could any of the wise and well read gentles on this list tell me if
>wooden furniture was commonly painted during the sixteenth century in
>any part of Western Europe? I do not mean ornamentaly but over-all.
>
>Any citations would also be deeply apreciated.
>
>-- Lord Ruaidhri an Cu
> (Atlantia)
I seem to recall something about wooden furniture in Sweden being painted during the sixteenth century - often rather brightly. If you like, I'll make an effort to find the source although I'm not quite certain where I've read it.
Lady Uta
(Nordmark)
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 1999 10:14:38 -0700
From: Tim Bray/Catherine Keegan <keegan at ix.netcom.com>
To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu
Subject: Re: Furniture: To paint or not to paint?
I'm not that wise, nor well-read on the 16th (post-medieval so not as
interesting to me). Certainly up to the 16th c. I have found no evidence
for the use of paint as anything other than ornamentation. There are
plenty of mid- to late-15th c. paintings depicting furniture, all of which
appears to be wood-colored (unpainted) except for things like cassone which
are decoratively painted.
For the 16th century, you might try "The Italian Renaissance Interior" by
Peter Thornton. It has a section on furniture. None of the extant 16th c.
pieces I have seen in museums - and there are a lot of them - show any
traces of overall painting.
I cannot think of any good reason why furniture would be so painted. Paint
was, as far as I can ascertain, a purely decorative medium; so why would it
be applied overall, other than ornamentation?
Colin
Date: Tue, 26 Oct 1999 19:31:57 -0500
From: david friedman <ddfr at best.com>
Subject: Re: SC - Camp Kitchen Furniture
The current Miscellany has an article on doing a period trestle table and
an article on conjecturally period furniture that I think includes our
Pennsic shelves. But I don't think those are in the webbed version, which
is a few editions behind.
David/Cariadoc
Subject: Re: [Northern] furniture patterns
Date: Thu, 4 Nov 1999 11:04:49 -0800 (PST)
Sender: northern-digest-owner at antir.sca.org
To: northern at antir.sca.org
Greetings from Elizabeth Braidwood,
On Thu, 4 Nov 1999, Leanne wrote:
> I have a friend who lives in Germany. He would like to build some medevil
> looking furniture. Do anyone know of a web site that has patterns for
> medevil furniture?
> Please let me know at my email address - leanne at hasanadesigns.com
> thanks so much
> Mistress Shirin
I thought other folks might be interested, so am replying in public.
He might try the website archive of Sacred Spaces (newsletter of the
Known World Architectural Guild)
http://www.teleport.com/~tguptill/tkwag.htm
The Charles Oakley "Spiffing Up Your Campsite" site
http://www.dnaco.net/~arundel/oakley.html
Replica Viking Table based on Sala Hytta Find
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Atrium/3696/Viking/viktable.html
(he also has a stool and a chest)
or there are an assortment of 12th C furniture patterns for sale at
http://buildit.shopalberta.com/main2.htm
And now for a minor plug... all these links came from my bookmark list
of SCA links at
http://www.kwantlen.bc.ca/~donna/booksca.htm
E.B.
To: MedievalEncampments at onelist.com
Date: Fri, 03 Mar 2000 10:41:49 -0800
From: John LaTorre <jlatorre at midtown.net>
Subject: [MedievalEncampments] Stool plans
I had a collapsible stool at Estrella War that seemed to attract a bit of
attention, and Lady Mira asked me to write up its construction. I've done this,
and the write-up is located on my website at:
http://midtown.net/dragonwing/col0003.htm
(Yes, it's a commercial site for my tent business, but the commercial content is
easy enough to avoid it if offends you. The URL takes you straight to the stool
plans.)
--
John LaTorre (Johann von Drachenfels)
from the Shire of Betony Wood, Principality of Cynagua, Kingdom of the West
(Sacramento, CA)
To: MedievalEncampments at onelist.com
Date: Fri, 3 Mar 2000 19:11:20 GMT
From: tom at his.com
Subject: Re: [MedievalEncampments] Stool plans
> I had a collapsible stool at Estrella War that seemed to attract a bit of
> attention, and Lady Mira asked me to write up its construction.
A nice simple design. For those with access to a lathe, another variation on a
period stool:
http://www.his.com/tom/sca/turnedstools.html
It can double as a basin stand or low table, and turned upside down it can
carry loose items.
Tom R.
"Fin"
To: MedievalEncampments at onelist.com
Date: Sat, 4 Mar 2000 10:28:12 -0500
From: Tom Rettie <tom at his.com>
Subject: Re: [MedievalEncampments] Chair Plans
>From: Tanya Guptill <tguptill at teleport.com>
>You've got some great camp furniture on your site! It's nice to see a
>mix of the simpler plans for beginners, going up to the more elaborate
>ideas.
Thanks. They sort of follow my growth as a woodworker; the simple plank
bench was the first piece of furniture I made for the SCA (I needed a saw
bench). I moved on to simple boxes before I tackled more elaborate chests
and tables. Now I'm working on a turned chair.
It's sort of my crusade that cool, spiff period furniture shouldn't be the
enemy of simple, cheap period furniture. Even if someday you're going to
get around to making that elaborate carved x-chair, there's no reason that
you can't take a couple of hours and a 2x8 and make a perfectly period
bench. You can make a simple wooden box in an afternoon or two, and it
sure beats a plastic tub for "medievalishness." It's my impression from
inventories that even very well-to-do houses had quite a bit of simple
furniture along with the show pieces (and most folks weren't that
well-to-do anyway).
>I was excited to see the 'x-chair' you have pictured--it is an exact
>duplicate of an extant chair
>my friend HL Conor O'Droi photographed when he was in Ireland.
>I've ordered the Roy
>Underhill book, "The Woodwright's Eclectic Workshop", to see what
>other interesting things it has in it.
I strongly recommend Roy's books for anyone interested in getting started
in period furniture. While his concentration is 18th and 19th century
woodwork, he does occasionally drift back to medieval topics, and most of
his general techniques are directly applicable to period furniture. My
six-board "Mary Rose" chest was based largely on his directions. Caveat:
he rarely provides measured drawings and generally takes a "follow your
intuition" approach to projects; that is, he'll go over the major skills
and tasks you need to perform, but he expects you to do some of the work
too. He wants you to appreciate the process of making the thing as much as
much as the pleasure of owning it when it's done.
In "Eclectic Workshop," the projects include (among others):
"Folding Folk Chairs" (the x-chair)
A table chair (also period)
A tavern table
Dulcimer
Flute
In "Woodwright's Workbook" he includes:
A discussion of 16th century tools (Debate of the Carpenter's Tools)
Workbenches and Lathes
Tool chests
Chairs
A six board chest
"Woodwright's Apprentice" includes:
Sea Chest
Trestle Table
Moravian Chair
Framed Chest
and lots more of course.
Have fun with your projects.
Tom R.
"Fin"
Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2000 19:37:38 -0400
From: rmhowe <MMagnusM at Bellsouth.net>
To: "- MedievalEncampments at eGroups.com" <MedievalEncampments at eGroups.com>,
- SCA-ARTS <sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu>
Subject: Penelope Eame's Medieval Furniture book.
For quite some time I looked for the following book under author and title,
then I searched not under the author, or the title, but the Furniture
History Society and found the book after about two years of goofing around.
Since the spine says Furniture History that's how they list it for sale.
Not at all like the following:
Eames, Penelope: Furniture in England, France and the Netherlands from
the from the Twelfth to the Fifteenth Century, London, Furniture History
Society, 1977.
In the event you may have been looking for it it's Volume XIII of
Furniture History.
Maybe you'll find it a lot easier than I did.
Magnus
To: SPCA <spca-wascaerfrig at egroups.com>
From: margali <margali at 99main.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jan 2001 10:34:50 -0500
Subject: [Fwd: [spca-wascaerfrig] a nice website]
somehow both copies of the post went to period camping. Don't ask me how, i wasn't issued a clue!
margali wrote:
> here's some neat sca-period camping goodies. they have a nice camp stool
> patterned after a 16th century one.
> http://midtown.net/dragonwing/
From: "lea" <lea at tfz.net>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: French Medieval Furniture
Date: Sat, 31 Mar 2001 09:13:08 +0200
Organization: Wanadoo, l'internet avec France Telecom
French medieval Art.
www.arteso.com
On this website you will find faithful copies of medieval furniture, made to
order by the Master Craftsman, Francis JELONEK.
Thrones, Cathedres, Chests, Dantestques, Chairs, Lecterns, Mirrors, Crosses,
Secondhands...
To: spca-wascaerfrig at yahoogroups.com
From: Richard Keith <Keith.78 at osu.edu>
Date: Fri, 20 Apr 2001 09:44:08 -0400
Subject: [spca-wascaerfrig] Stefin, Furniture book
"Furniture in England, France and the Netherlands forom the 12th to the
15th Century" by Penelope Eames
Fin NK2529E2 the Furniture History Society London 1977
Great book, Nice pictures and explains technics. Compares various types
of furniture within classes. how they seem to develop.
Frederich
To: - Atlantia <atlantia at atlantia.sca.org>,
- Barony of Windmasters Hill 11/00 <keep at windmastershill.org>
From: rmhowe <mmagnusm at bellsouth.net>
Date: Thu, 10 May 2001 17:17:23 -0400
Subject: [MedEnc] Albion Works.
http://www.mcn.org/m/tbray/Albion%20Works.htm
Happened back on this today.
For you furniture lovers.
Magnus, not affiliated.
To: spca-wascaerfrig at yahoogroups.com
From: Richard Keith <Keith.78 at osu.edu>
Date: Wed, 06 Jun 2001 09:19:48 -0400
Subject: [spca-wascaerfrig] Whos comeing and other stuff.
Stephen, I have the title and other information of the Book in German on
furniture that I had recommended earlier.
AuthorWindisch-Graetz, Franz
TitleM=F6bel Europas : von der Romanik bis zur Sp=E4tgotik : mit einem=20
R=FCckblick auf Antike und Sp=E4tantike / Franz Windisch-Graetz
Publish infoM=FCnchen : Klinkhardt & Biermann, c1982
ISBN 3781402126
LCCN 83-129800
I wish someone would translate it. It would be worth a lot to me.
Frederich
Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2001 08:01:47 -0500 (CDT)
From: "Pixel, Queen of Cats" <pixel at hundred-acre-wood.com>
To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ku.edu
Subject: Re: medieval tables
On Wed, 20 Jun 2001, Jenne Heise wrote:
> Hi! Our local sciences minister has suggested that instead of buying
> modern portable tables for demos that we build some period ones. Does
> anyone have patterns for _period_ folding tables? Also, he suggested
> mahogany, but the OED suggests that mahogany wasn't much used in Europe
> before 1740. What kinds of woods would period portable tables have been
> made out of?
> --
> Jadwiga Zajaczkowa, mka Jennifer Heise jenne at mail.browser.net
Oak. With trestles.
My love and I have two trestle tables which are made from oak
hollow-core doors, thus making them both portable and affordable. The
trestles are made out of 2x2 dimensional pine lumber and hinges, and if we
get really motivated they'll get stained to at least coordinate with the
tables.
The hinges are probably not period, but you can't see them unless you're
under the table, and people who are under the table are very likely to not
care about the manufacture of the trestles. ;-)
The nifty thing about trestle tables is that you can use any large flat
thing as your tabletop. Our doors are 36" wide, which is probably too wide
for period, but we have people sitting around them rather than along one
side of them. A heavier door would slide less on the trestles--being
hollow-core, they are very light and don't have enough weight to hold
themselves down very well.
To keep the trestles all at the same height we have pieces of wood which
might be 2x2 with notches cut out to fit the lower crossbars of the
trestles, then we take them away after we've placed the trestles.
Seems to work pretty well as long as you have a truck to transport a
full-sized door.
Margaret FitzWilliam
Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2001 08:48:44 -0500
From: "Amy L. Hornburg Heilveil" <aheilvei at uiuc.edu>
To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ku.edu
Subject: Re: medieval tables
At 08:35 AM 6/20/2001 -0400, you wrote:
>Hi! Our local sciences minister has suggested that instead of buying
>modern portable tables for demos that we build some period ones. Does
>anyone have patterns for _period_ folding tables? Also, he suggested
>mahogany, but the OED suggests that mahogany wasn't much used in Europe
>before 1740. What kinds of woods would period portable tables have been
>made out of?
I'll list some of the places where I drool on the web occasionally. First
is the yahoogroup medieval encampment - go to their files and you'll find
several written instructions for many pieces of furniture.
http://www.his.com/~tom/sca/campstuff.html - no plans but some pics and
resources
http://www.teleport.com/~tguptill/furniture.htm - links to numerous plans
of lots of furniture, including tresle tables.
Despina
Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2001 09:28:50 -0700
From: John LaTorre <jlatorre at midtown.net>
To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ku.edu
Subject: Re: medieval tables
Jenne Heise wrote:
> Hi! Our local sciences minister has suggested that instead of buying
> modern portable tables for demos that we build some period ones. Does
> anyone have patterns for _period_ folding tables? Also, he suggested
> mahogany, but the OED suggests that mahogany wasn't much used in Europe
> before 1740. What kinds of woods would period portable tables have been
> made out of?
Look at the folding trestle tables on Cariadoc's page:
http://www.best.com/%7Eddfr/Medieval/miscellany_pdf/Other_Articles_II_Furniture.pdf
It's just after the bed description.
You wouldn't want mahogany anyway, if you were going to
carry it around. You might as well make it of sheet
steel....
For another approach to a portable tourney table, see:
http://midtown.net/dragonwing/col0105.htm
--
John LaTorre (Johann von Drachenfels)
Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2001 09:12:14 -0700
From: Tim Bray <tbray at mcn.org>
To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ku.edu
Subject: Re: medieval tables
>What kinds of woods would period portable tables have been
>made out of?
Oak for sure. Other woods used for furniture would include Beech, Ash, and
Fir (in Northern Europe), or Walnut (in the South). Documenting their use
for tables might be a project, but it's a reasonable assumption.
For a solid-wood table top, you want a dimensionally stable wood - one that
won't cup much when the humidity changes. Quartersawn oak is the most
authentic (and most expensive) solution, but beech is quite stable and
would probably work well. It might be hard to find in US lumberyards,
though. Fir cups a lot, so you might need some extra joinery tricks to
keep it flat, unless you can find and afford vertical grain fir. (It comes
from old-growth trees, which are becoming rather scarce.)
You could use plywood with a hardwood veneer - lots cheaper and more stable
than solid wood, though obviously not strictly authentic. But- On the
other hand, the table top will almost never be exposed while in use. The
table is covered with a cloth in virtually every period depiction -
frustrating if you're trying to figure out trestle construction. So you
could use almost anything - plywood, for instance - and just cover it up
with a cloth.
Trestle construction is a whole 'nother matter...
Colin
Albion Works
Furniture, Clothing, and Accesories
For the Medievalist!
www.albionworks.net
Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2001 14:23:24 -0700
From: Tim Bray <tbray at mcn.org>
To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ku.edu
Subject: Re: medieval tables
>What about the Gothic bench style? That could be expanded to table size,
>but I don't know if it's period.
Doubtful... The boarded stool or bench was frequently used as a prie-dieu
and often as an occasional table, judging from paintings, but I can't
remember seeing depictions of a "full-size" table made in that way.
The type with the single stretcher, like a modern "trestle table," shows up
in the 16th century for benches and tables, especially in German art.
Colin
Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2001 18:57:20 -0400
From: Carol Thomas <scbooks at neca.com>
To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ku.edu
Subject: Re: medieval tables
I merchant on tables that we designed from a period illustration in
Fabulous Feasts. They do not fold - but they slot together pretty easily,
and travel flat. We used plywood for ease, but obviously they can be made
of regular wood as they did in the 15th c.
Each is 6 pieces: rectangular top (cut 1/3 of a standard piece of plywood,
router edges, & stain) The top just sits on the base but stays put.
2 end pieces, curved down to feet on the bottom (also plywood, routered &
stained. Some I painted as shown in F. Feasts.)
3 slats made from 1x4 stock, with slots in them. The ends have openings
that the slats slot onto. (Say that 3 times fast...)
The first version wobbled a bit, so the later ones have the 3rd slat
running at an angle from one end to another. This holds quite firmly. The
design is quite strong, as I have stood on them, dropped boxes of books on
them, etc. for years now.
Date: Sat, 23 Jun 2001 12:35:19 -0400
From: rmhowe <MMagnusM at bellsouth.net>
To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ku.edu, - Atlantia <atlantia at atlantia.sca.org>
Subject: Re: medieval tables
The best I can suggest is Mercer's Furniture 700-1400 and his
Oak Furniture which are the most comprehensive of remaining
early furniture illustrations that are left in the illuminated
and real worlds.
The right edition of Boccaccio's Decameron has quite a lot of
interior furniture in the illustrated edition I have. Of course
it is also full of lovers and the occaisional peeping tom.
Boccacio, Giovanni: Boccaccio's Decameron, 15th-Century Manuscript,
Pognon, Edmond (Texts by)Chief Curator, Bibliotheque Nationale,
Paris, translated by J. Peter Tallon, Productions Liber SA, and
Editions Minerva SA, Fribourg - Geneve, 1978. The hundred miniatures
in this book were painted between 1430 and 1440 to illustrate the
French translation of this book completed in 1414. 124 pages,
almost each of which has one or more than one full color
illumination. There are chests, chairs, beds, benches, bathing
tubs, buckets on a yoke, Thrones, feast scenes, caskets for burial,
tombs, curious boats with garderobe seats down both sides of each,
warships, many tables on trestles, three legged turned stools,
lots of hats, pouches, costumes, shoes, a wooden litter to be
carried by two (different than any I've seen elsewhere), garden
trellises, feastgear, swords and sheathes and knives, a halberd,
a very long torch, a very long cart carrying a denounced knight,
hunting dogs and spears, candlesticks, horse barding, a bakery,
pewterware, a turning spit and drip pan before the fireplace in
use, cloaks, buckers and swords, vats, long benches for the eating
tables, a round lantern, etc.
There is also Italian Rennaisance Interiors of about 15 years ago.
I found the V&A's Medieval Furniture and Carvings to be rather
disapointing and not worth the money.
There are Daniel Diehl's two books, the second is better and
more practical than the first one on Medieval Furniture.
Penelope Eames' Book is better found under the Furniture History
Society volume XIII, you may look for it for years elsewise:
Eames, Penelope: Furniture in England, France and the Netherlands
from the Twelfth to the Fifteenth Century, London, Furniture
History Society, Volume XIII, 1977, 304 pages and at least sixty
plates, with many additional drawings in text. Printed in
England by W.S. Maney and Son, Ltd., Hudson Rd. Leeds LS9 7DL.
A bit dry on types and styles. Has some pictures of mostly
clerical fittings, and some line drawings of a variety of
furniture.
I find the drawings and engravings of Albrecht Durer, via Dover,
to have some interesting details.
A pity we're not in the same general area, as I have built up
folders full, many books on woodworking, at least a shelf full
applicable to Medieval. I made over a thousand pieces in my
former career.
Mahogany is incredibly heavy. I've helped heft huge planks of
the stuff large bedposts were cut and carved from that took
4-5 men. It is also a new world tree primarily. There is of
course Philippine mahogany. Red Mahogany finish is very pretty,
like velvet if done well, but is not something I've ever thought
of as period. Generally, most items in the Medieval period,
in England at least, were of oak. I'm sure there were many other
woods used by the lower classes - when they could get them.
Three legged trestles take up very little room and the boards
were simply laid across them under a cloth generally. You have
two legs, often decorated - perhaps with a stretcher between them
of the front side and a simple single leg in the back. Slightly
splaying them out at the bottoms front and back would add to
stability.
A good illustration of a three legged trestle front is found
in the Medieval Soldier - 15th Century Campaign Life Recreated
in Colour Photographs by Gerry Embleton and John Howe, Windrow
and Greene Ltd., 19A Floral St., London WC2E 9DS, England, 1994,
ISBN 18590365. Often sold about $65, I looked around a bit and
got one for $40 plus shipping. 144 extremely well illustrated
pages by a reenactment group centered in Switzerland.
There are shoes and boots, pouches and purses, a lantern,
candlesticks, a limited amount of furniture, feastgear, knives,
a writing set, pavillions and tents, swords and scabbards, a mace,
leather bottles, a pewter flask, a quiver, an arrow bag, an
arrow basket, an armbrace, a number of chests, a number of buckets,
camp cooking fires, archers and soldiers in full authentic kit,
and gambesons.
Magnus Malleus, OL, GDH, Atlantia / © R.M. Howe, Raleigh, NC.
*Please do not repost my emails to the Rialto, any newsgroup
or the SCA-Universitas List. To do so I regard as a violation
of copyright permissions. You may forward them to your local
subscriber based re-enactor lists, in or out of the SCA however.
From: Heather Rose Jones <heather.jones at earthlink.net>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Rocking Chairs
Date: Sat, 26 Jun 2004 02:03:54 GMT
Elizabeth wrote:
> Are they period for 1500's? When did they.....become?
> Thanks
The brief historical sketch given at
<http://www.designboom.com/eng/education/rocking/origin.html>;
looks like it has useful information (and doesn't have the
sorts of exaggerated claims that would make me skeptical).
The short answer, based in the information there, is that
rocking chairs appear to have originated in the 18th century.
Tangwystyl
<the end>