The early finish was often the old Indian red. This was more a stain than a paint. A modern substitute for it, under the same name, is obtainable. The old Indian red was used on panel work, chests, and chairs with great impartiality and generous abandon. It is not bright and supplies a good finish today.
Red paint is also a popular old finish.
There was not too much color in our ancestor's lives and they loved to make it appear in their furniture. Dark green seems to have been the most popular color and most satisfactory. Windsors in old advertisements often mentioned as green. It is a very desirable color. But, light green is perhaps worst of all, except white.