Furniture has always been an integral part of human life, but a few centuries ago it was considered a luxury that was not available to everyone. For example, a bed often became an inherited item, passed down from generation to generation. Thus, in one of the documents from April 1616, the playwright William Shakespeare mentions that he bequeathed beds to his daughters, along with land plots and real estate. Furniture is not just functional ...
Furniture is not just functional items for home furnishing. It carries the history of different nations, reflecting their cultural, religious and political characteristics. By studying furniture that has survived from ancient times, you can learn a lot about how people lived in different eras, what values they adhered to and what level their civilization was at.
Furniture of Ancient Egypt: Art and Status Symbol
Furniture found during archaeological excavations of Egyptian tombs and temples gives an idea of the high level of skill of ancient craftsmen. Valuable types of wood, stone and ivory were used to create furniture. To give luxury and elegance to objects, they were decorated with carvings, precious metals and stones, and also upholstered with silk, velvet and brocade. In Egyptian society, furniture was not only a necessary element of everyday life, but also a bright symbol of wealth and high social status.
One of the most famous artifacts that has come down to us almost in its original form is the throne of the pharaoh who ruled Egypt from 1330 to 1323 BC. This throne was found in 1922, and its magnificence did not leave archaeologists indifferent. Many other pieces of furniture, including royal funerary artifacts, were discovered in the tomb of the mother of Pharaoh Cheops - Hetepheres, in 1925.
After restoration work, the furniture from these tombs was exhibited in the National Museum of Cairo, and copies were exhibited in the Boston Museum. The life and daily life of the Egyptians are also depicted on papyri and vases, where artists and carvers depicted their furniture in everyday use.
In ancient Egypt, the most common pieces of furniture were:
- chairs supported by three or four legs;
- folding stools with a leather seat stretched over a wooden frame;
- rectangular tables with short legs;
- beds made of wood with metal and ivory details.
One of the most striking examples is the bed from the burial chamber of Tutankhamun. It had a base made of ropes stretched over a wooden frame covered with gold leaf. The legs of the bed were the paws of predatory animals, and the armrests imitated snakes with wings.
Ancient craftsmen paid special attention to furniture decoration. Their arsenal included:
- gold and silver foil;
- wood carvings depicting complex patterns, animal paws and bird heads;
- natural fabrics;
- precious and semi-precious stones.
These luxurious pieces of furniture were only available to the high-ranking inhabitants of Egypt, while the common people were limited to more modest stools and benches.
Over time, chests and raised resting beds began to appear in everyday life. Folding chairs with an X-shaped design that could be easily carried around became very popular. Ornaments with symbolic meaning, such as the scarab, snake, sun disk and lotus flower, became an integral part of the decoration of many pieces of furniture.
Furniture in Ancient Rome
In ancient times, craftsmen from various civilizations used natural materials to create furniture, and the Romans were no exception. Their works often included wood from trees such as thuja, cedar, maple, olive tree, as well as rare species such as palm, boxwood and sycamore. In addition to wood, bronze and marble were used, from which various elements were carved.
Given the Roman nobility's love of luxury, furniture was decorated with many decorative elements, such as laurel wreaths, lotus flowers, cupids, and images of girls with butterfly wings. Carved patterns, gilding, ivory inlays, precious metals and stones, and tortoise shells were used for decoration.
Over time, new techniques such as engraving, mosaics and rosette patterns began to appear in furniture design. Portable furniture was most often made of wood, and fixed elements were made of marble, sometimes colored.
Japanese Furniture: Minimalism, Practicality and Aesthetics
Japanese style in furniture stands out for its laconicism, functionality and simple lines. Natural shades prevail in the design, with accents on green, red and crimson colors. The Japanese value not only elegance, but also convenience, versatility, ease of care and practicality in every detail.
Some traditional furniture may seem unusual to Europeans, such as the kotatsu. This is a low table with a blanket, under which a heating device is hidden. In the cold months, the whole family gathers around such a device to warm up. This is due to the peculiarities of the climate: in Japan, it is not customary to heat houses, and the kotatsu, like the Japanese fireplace of the Muromachi era, helps to create comfortable warmth in a limited space, saving electricity.
To divide the space, the Japanese use translucent screens decorated with paintings, which were borrowed from the Chinese in the 7th-8th centuries. In general, the interiors of Japanese houses always feel harmony with nature, as well as high respect for spiritual and cultural traditions that are passed down from generation to generation.
Swedish Furniture: Tradition and Modernity
European style in the past was known for its luxury and sophistication, especially during the Renaissance and Middle Ages, as well as in styles such as Baroque. Baroque elements included bright fabrics, carvings, gilding, and elegant shapes. Modern Swedish furniture is characterized by minimalism, functionality, and practicality.
The design is based on elements of antique furniture, which represent the art of past centuries.
Key features of Swedish furniture:
- Scandinavian aesthetics and traditions;
- Simplicity and harmony of lines;
- Moderate decor;
- Clean, graphic elements;
- Light color palette.
In furniture production, preference is given to beech, pine, oak, ash, walnut and birch wood. Finishing materials are fur, linen, cotton, genuine leather, wool and sheepskin. Doors are often white, simple and without unnecessary decorations, and the use of synthetic materials in the style is not welcomed.
The modern Swedish interior is built on asceticism, lightness and airiness, and achromatic colors such as white, green, blue and beige are reminiscent of nature - snowy expanses, forests, sky and trees.
Italian Furniture: Luxury and Elegance in One
The Italian style in furniture is a unique combination of cultural heritage and exceptional taste of craftsmen, which makes it one of the most exquisite in the world. The basics of classic Italian furniture are rooted in the products of ancient Roman craftsmen, which gives the style monumentality and grandeur. However, this style is not always suitable for modern apartments with limited space.
It's a completely different matter with country houses with spacious rooms and high ceilings. In such interiors, hand-made furniture items are ideal, especially those created according to individual projects.
To complete the overall picture of the interior, vintage cabinets for storing small items and paintings in the style of Italian artists can be used, adding elegance and sophistication to the atmosphere.
Exotic Furniture of Africa: Nature and Traditions in the Interior
Africa, with its diverse peoples, cultures and traditions, has had a significant influence on furniture design, which has become an integral part of the locals' lives. Each nation has sought to preserve its history, religious beliefs and customs through art forms such as wood carving, painting and ceramics.
An important role in the development of African style was played by colonizers, inspired by the unique traditions of the continent. Artists who adopted African motifs created a style that gained popularity both in Europe and in its homeland.
African furniture features bright colors inspired by nature and hot savannas, as well as exotic shapes, which give the interior a special atmosphere. Among the characteristic elements are:
- Simplicity and naturalness;
- Naturalistic and exotic approach;
- Use of natural materials;
- Calm and warm shades - from beige to olive.
The main material is natural wood with a rough finish. African-style furniture is often made in sand and gray tones, reflecting the natural environment of the continent. The interior often features such elements as chests of drawers, shelves, chairs and sofas made of rattan, as well as stylized masks, geometric patterns and images of animals, which together create a cozy atmosphere that immerses you in the world of African traditions.
