Stools And Forms

Stools were used in great numbers, especially before the democratic spirit of Commonwealth days completely broke down the rigid etiquette that had previously obtained governing the use of chairs and led to their common use by all grades of society. The stool fulfilled the most varied uses as occasion demanded - it might be a seat for the end of the long, narrow tables, or a formidable missile in the hands of an irate Jennie Geddes.

Joint or "joyned" stools, particularly in the early part of the Stuart period, made up for the scarcity of chairs. They were commonly set at the ends of the long refectory tables, while at the sides were forms or backless benches which were only elongated stools. They were about the height of the chair seat of the period and were strongly made with turned and sometimes carved legs and stout stretchers. The un-derframing was also occasionally adorned with carving. The legs were often, though not always, given an outward spread.

As it became less and less the custom to rest the feet on the bottom rails or stretchers of tables or hang the heels on the rounds of chairs to escape draughts or dirt on the floor, we find footstools coming into more common use, especially with the larger and more stately chairs whose seats were high from the floor.

In Carolean times footstools and bedsteps, made of oak or walnut, with caned tops became common. The legs were turned and sometimes scrolled or carved stretchers, like those between the forelegs of chairs, were added. Instead of legs some of the stools rested on bench ends. Stools often answered the purpose of small tables.

Forms or backless benches differed from the staunchly built and heavy stools only in respect of their great length, being made primarily to accommodate those sitting at the sides of the long tables. When not in use the forms were often stowed away on the rails or stretchers underneath the tables.

Settles, Settees And Love Seats

Settles (Fig. 4) or benches with arms and backs, often panelled and ornately carved, were in very general use all during the Stuart period. It was not at all uncommon for the part between the seat and the floor to be solidly enclosed by panelling while the seat itself was hinged, thus making the one article of furniture do duty as a seat and a chest or coffer at the same time.

Oaken settles were found so useful and satisfactory that the type persisted in both England and America until well into the eighteenth century and many examples are of even later date. The specimen shown in Fig. 4 is of American make and was evidently always intended to have a cushion, as may be inferred from the cording. Settles without cushioned seats were rather the rule, however. The backs and, where the under-part was enclosed for a chest, the front below the seat, might or might not be ornately carved on rails, stiles and panels, according to the taste or the political and religious principles of the maker. The seats were of about the same height as chair seats and the backs, as a rule, were slightly higher than chair backs, though occasionally they were carried upward to an ungainly extent.