The History of Oak Furniture
Oak Furniture through the ages
Oak furniture has been in use since medieval times. Well known for its durability and strength, it has been used to make furniture for both rich and poor alike.During the 17th century, most of the furniture was created from oak, due to the wide availability of the oak tree. There was an increasing export of woollen cloth from England, which increased the wealth of the land; thus a ‘middle class’ of people began to grow, who were very status conscious.
This group of people gave rise to a demand for quality furniture for display purposes, as well as domestic use. Showing others your wealth and status became very important, so demand for oak was very high. This created many jobs as many people could make a very good living as craftsmen. However, a joiner had to work several years as an apprentice before he could become a member of the guild. Competition between workshops and craftsmen became fierce as people became very protective of their work; therefore, different regional designs of furniture were formed.
Many items of furniture were made to order, often commemorating a birth or marriage in the family. Most of the oak furniture was also ‘branded’ by being dated and initialled.
Today, oak furniture is still very much sought after because of its high quality. Its history means it is also excellent for making a home look rustic. Rustic oak furniture is something we have a large range of, and is perfect for adding charm and a rural look to any room of the house.