Historic Furniture Wood: Types, Availability, and Craftsmanship
The choice of wood for furniture-making has long been influenced by local availability and the specific needs of the furniture being produced. Over the centuries, various types of wood gained prominence for their unique characteristics and aesthetic qualities. This article explores some of the most commonly used woods for furniture in the past, their properties, and how they were employed in traditional furniture designs.
Common Woods Used in Furniture-Making
In the past, several types of wood were commonly utilized in furniture-making, depending on the region and availability. Some of the most popular woods included oak, mahogany, walnut, cherry, pine, and teak. Each type of wood offered distinct benefits, making them suitable for different furniture styles and applications.
Oak
Details: Known for its durability and strength, oak has been widely used in medieval and Renaissance furniture. It boasts a distinctive grain and is remarkably resistant to wear. Oak is a hardwood, making it ideal for creating sturdy, long-lasting furniture pieces.
Mahogany
Details: Mahogany, a tropical hardwood, became popular in the 18th century due to its rich color and fine grain. It was favored for high-quality furniture, especially in the genteel trade. The wood is known for its straight grain and ease of working, giving it a smooth finish and aesthetic appeal.
Walnut
Details: Valued for its beauty and workability, walnut was frequently used in fine furniture and cabinetry during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. It has a warm color and a subtle grain, and it darkens with age, making it a popular choice for creating antique-style furniture.
Cherry
Details: Cherry wood is known for its warm color and smooth grain, which often darkens with age. It is relatively easy to work with compared to other woods, making it a popular choice for finer, more decorative pieces of furniture. Because of its attractive appearance and ease of use, cherry was often used as a less expensive alternative to imported mahogany.
Pine
Details: Pine is a softer, more affordable wood, and it was widely used in rural and country-style furniture. It is easier to work with than some other hardwoods, making it ideal for crafting practical and everyday pieces. Pine is also common in colonial and rustic furniture designs.
Teak
Details: Teak is a water-resistant and durable wood, making it ideal for outdoor furniture. It is known for its attractive appearance, aging to a beautiful grey color over time. Teak is particularly suitable for areas prone to dampness and rot, such as outdoor wine barrels.
Traditional Furniture Wood Selection
Furniture is commonly made from hardwoods like oak, maple, cherry, or walnut due to their durability and aesthetic appeal. These woods can withstand everyday use and provide a beautiful finish when crafted into furniture pieces, making them popular choices for both residential and commercial settings.
Colonial Day Wood Availability
Furniture in colonial days was often made from locally available wood. In the northern regions, white pine was commonly used, while in the south, white pine, poplar, and yellow pine were more durable options. Poplar is softer and less expensive, and does not contain the resins often found in pine, making it a popular choice for furniture. Many true antiques can be found made with pine or poplar, as these woods were more accessible and less costly.
Mahogany and Walnut
Mahogany, a tropical hardwood, was very expensive and imported from the tropics, making it suitable for the genteel trade. Walnut is similarly attractive but has a more brown color and is harder to work with, which makes it slightly more challenging to use in furniture-making.
Cherry and Oak
Cherry wood is softer than walnut but easier to work with, and when left unstained, it will darken with age. In colonial times, cherry was often used as a less expensive replacement for imported mahogany. Oak is another strong and durable wood but with a more informal look. Red oak is more common, while white oak offers better resistance to dampness, making it ideal for outdoor furniture.
Teak and Redwood
Teak and redwood, both rot-resistant, are used in outdoor settings. Teak is harder and has a better appearance, aging to an attractive grey color. Redwood, known for being soft but rot-resistant, is well suited for outdoor furniture, picnic tables, and similar applications. Maple is a hard wood with very little visible grain, making it a good choice for modern furniture styles.
Mixed Wood Furniture
Often, a piece of furniture will incorporate different woods due to their unique qualities. For example, a Windsor chair might have steam-bent red oak bows, a pine seat for ease of carving, and cherry legs and spindles for their attractiveness. Such combinations leverage the strengths of each wood type to create aesthetically pleasing and functional pieces.
Conclusion
The choice of wood for traditional furniture-making has been a blend of functionality and aesthetic appeal. Each type of wood offered unique characteristics that made it suitable for specific furniture styles and practical applications. By understanding the properties and advantages of different wood types, furniture makers were able to craft pieces that would last for generations, reflecting the craftsmanship and creativity of past generations.
Further Reading
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