The History of Furniture

Furniture has been a dominant part of human history ever since non-nomadic times. In fact, in the Neolithic period and later on in antiquity, there are pieces of evidence that remain of the types of furniture that were developed in those days. These designs are seen on the Murals at Pompeii, as well as on sculptures in Egypt and tombs in Turkey and Vietnam.

The earliest forms of furniture were carved from stone, which was the only resource that our ancestors could find at that time. The classical period then led to the design and production of more extravagant pieces of furniture, like gilded chairs, beds and tables. This was in direct contrast to the furniture of the Middle Ages, which revolved around a heavier theme, with carved oak being the primary medium. This turn-around in style came about as a result of the Renaissance period in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. Revival styles, however, defined the 19th century, with Gothic and Neoclassicism designs making their mark. The later years of this century saw the dawning of the Aesthetic movement and the Arts and Crafts movement. With the advent of the twentieth century, modernism began to be the theme, with many designers opting to work on their products and designs based on this principle. This in turn gave birth to the Post-modernist movement, which first gained popularity in the 1960s. Today, with environmental consciousness spreading all over the world, designers and manufacturers of furniture are now coming up with several lines of environmentally-friendly designs and products. From simple, functional pieces to stylish art forms, furniture has served over time both as useful household items and works of art.