Evening star., 1938-06-14

textiles for their homes.
Eventually, as fine workmen came
- this country, commissions were
given to American shops, but the de-
signs and the ideas came from abroad
Before the 18th century We fashioned
some interesting things for ourselves,
and since that time we have designed
pieces that are distinctly American.
The background Of the early 18th
century household things, the true
early American designs which re-
hected but vaguely the fashion in the
mother country, interest us now.
In a survey of cabinetmaking in
America we relive the evolution of the
F.. art in all countries through the ages.
q. Early colonists in this country came
from all over Europe. In their strug-
giles to create new home under
primitive conditions they tried to ease
the pangs of homesickness by creating
furniture as close to that that they
knew at home. as memory, a few
handmade tools and native wood per-
mitted.
There were very few actual chests
or chairs brought in as boats were
small passage expensive and the cross
Ing very rough. But it is amazing in
the painted chests of Pennsylvania to
nnd the Identical tulip design that is
= 1ound in the museums of the low
countries, and in the carved chests
OF the Massachusetts, Bay, a replica of
the Tudor" chest. Of England
THERE were all types and classes
OF people who came to the
colonies. but by far the greater part
were hard-working middle-class folk
who accepted the country as they
found 1t and made home and a hv-
Ing here. Some few brought with
them furniture. silver, jewels and
beautiful fabrics. but for the most
part houses were a shelter from the
cold and maurauding Indians, con-
tanning the necessities and very few
.uxuries.
1t took about 80 years for new de-
sign or fashion in France, Holland, or
England to reach the height of its
popularity in the Colonies, in the towns
near the seaports, and much longer
before it reached the outlying villages
So we find an overlapping of one style
upon another with some very strange
and interesting transition pieces hav-
Ing an entirely new foot or arm rest on
the traditional well-known chair or
chest.
In most Of the Colonies there was a
chairmaker or joiner, but only the
most prosperous were able to afford
his time and ability. Money was
scarce and business was carried on in
commodities, SO one had to have a
good crop to swap" for a table or a
dresser. Even though the father of
the house had some ability with a
chisel and a hammer, carpentry came
under the head of recreation, and the
provision of food, fuel and clothing
left very little time for the joys of
furniture making. So we find house
furnishings reduced to a minimum.
PROBABLY the earliest known piece
OF furniture was chest. Just a
packing box, possibly decorated or
ornamented, in which one kept per-
sonal treasures. From this grew the
writing box which Travelled everywhere
the owner went. When at home this
box was set upon pedestal or table
to make it convenient height for
writing. Later, it was permanently
fastened to the stand and became the
writing desk that we know today.
This Same boxlike chest was the
predecessor of our modern chest of
drawers. 1t was annoying, when
searching for something in the bottom
of chest, to have all the contents
turned upside-down. To avoid this
drawer was constructed that divided
the interior in half, so that the things
seldom used might not be disturbed.
Later a tier of drawers was set upon