Elizabethan, Jacobean And Tudor Periods, 1509-I68j

These periods have peculiar interest for Americans because they were the inspiration of that composite style termed Colonial. These periods show heavy Puritanical effects, squarely built tables and chairs, rectangular, box-like construction, and much use of gate-legged tables. There was turning and strap work with panels carved in low relief. A running serpentine circle was a unit in high favor.

Elizabethan

The artists and craftsmen from Spain and the Netherlands were driven from their respective countries by ravages of war and settled in England, where, under the influence of these great masters, a wave of prosperity in the Arts and in Craftmanship spread throughout England, with marked advance. The social tendencies of England's Queen, Elizabeth, and her love of the beautiful in art, supplied an impetus to the movement, patronized by her Royal High-ness which in all the centuries has perpetuated her noble name. The Elizabethan in its appearance is somewhat arch-itectural, extremely decorative, and may be said to be the most dignified and impressive of all the English styles. The principal motif in its composition lies in its massiveness, rendered with a varying contour, and the boldness of its embellishment; grotesque and nudeto-the-waist figures, interlaced strap-work, carvings, and arabesques, were among the many motifs employed in its ornament. Large bulbous turnings, elaborately carved with a strong Flemish feeling are usually apparent. Fruit and floral carvings, masks, and heraldic devices are profusely represented.

Jacobean

The Jacobean style comprises the following divisions: James I, Charles I, Cromwellian and Charles II.

Owing to the fact that England at this period was perceptibly dominated by continental Europe through varying influences, the designers and decorators, either from choice or direction were vigorously following Italian, German, Dutch, Flemish, French and Spanish masters.

The decadence in carving, which had been the glory of the Elizabethan, was apparent to a shocking degree, and the furniture of the Jacobean became dull and characterless in comparison, but served to make for England another decorative style. The principal ornate motifs of the Jacobean style are the "S" and "C" scrolls of Charles II, which are repeated and repeated, inverted and reinverted, joined and rejoined, in a sort of kaleidoscopic manner, finally completing a panel, cartouche or pediment.

Nearly all of the chairs were upholstered and covered in Incarnadine, a short pile crimson velvet silk. The trimmings were of tufted borders and short fringes of crimson and gold, together with gilt braid and nails of varying sizes.

Cromwellian

There are some modifications of the Jacobean style, hardly worth mentioning, one of which during the Commonwealth was invented to fit the somber habits of a somber time. It was called the Cromwellian style, and is an uninteresting debasement of the Jacobean.