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. ************************************************************************ 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. The comments made in these messages are not necessarily my viewpoints. I make no claims as to the accuracy of the information given by the individual authors. 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 ************************************************************************ 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" 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 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 , which was used thus and made of this. The 's [condition/usage] probably indicates .") 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 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 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 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 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 | | | |__ | / / | __| | ===|_________\ \___________|=== ______ _________\ \___________ _____________ ______ ---^-----/ /-------^--- ------------- | / ^ \ \ ^ \ || || | / SIDE/FRONT \ || END || ABOUT 17" / VIEW \ || VIEW || | / / / \ || || | / \ \ \ || || | /=============/ /==============\\ | | | //<-----Leg, part of end-piece \\ |________| _______ Legend: = 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 To: "Windmasters' Hill Baronial List - The Keep" 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 Organization: Windmaster's Hill, Atlantia, and the GDH To: Merryrose 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" 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 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 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 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" To: 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 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 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 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 To: "INTERNET:stefan at texas.net" Cc: LIST SCA arts 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 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 ] Subject: Re: Chairs Date: Wed, 20 Jan 1999 21:26:11 -0500 From: Peter Adams 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 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" 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 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 To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu Subject: SV: Furniture: To paint or not to paint? -----Ursprungligt meddelande----- Fr=E5n: William T. Fleming >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 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 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 http://www.best.com/~ddfr/ 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 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 Subject: Re: [MedievalEncampments] Chair Plans >From: Tanya Guptill >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 To: "- MedievalEncampments at eGroups.com" , - SCA-ARTS 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 From: margali 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" 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 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 , - Barony of Windmasters Hill 11/00 From: rmhowe 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 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" 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" 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 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 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 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 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 To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ku.edu, - Atlantia 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 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 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 Edited by Mark S. Harris furniture-msg Page 35 of 35