A brief intro to furniture history

Furniture history is important to most props people. This is obviously an enormously complicated and involved topic. My aim here is merely to point to some resources for a general overview. Sometimes, a topic is so overwhelming, you don’t even know where to begin.

History of Furniture timeline

Maltwood has a useful History of Furniture timeline. The chart breaks down trends in material choice, makers, influences, and cross-lists them with European monarchs. You can click on the chart to get more details about the specific design movements.

You can fill an entire library with books that have been written about the history of furniture which, coincidentally, is where you can also find books. While the books you use have much to do with what show you are doing, there are some more general purpose books in the public domain which you can download free from various sites. These books are useful for furniture up to the early twentieth century.

• Illustrated History of Furniture by Frederick Litchfield
• The cabinet maker and upholsterer’s guide by A. Hepplewhite and Co
• How to know period styles in furniture by William Lowing Kimerly

Wikipedia provides a useful starting point for delving into the study of period furniture. The History Channel also has a brief article of use.

Telephone History

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Shakespeare for Community Players: Furniture

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A Shocking History of Stage Horror

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Good Furniture and the Moving Pictures, 1915

A 1915 article visiting the warehouse of a furniture dealer who makes his living renting and building furniture......