Oak Furniture - The British Tradition [Hardcover]

Victor Chinnery (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1986

Victor Chinnery's scholarly work covers the history and development of furniture in oak and kindred timbers in the British Isles and New England, from the Middle Ages through to 1800. The subject is broken down into a logical sequence of aspects and each section is generously illustrated. The furniture shown ranges from the finest examples of the period, to the sort of sturdy and workmanlike pieces which modern collectors will find afforsable. The study of oak furniture is a remarkably rich and varied subject,which reflects at several levels the social and domestic life of many generations of our ancestors. Victor Chinnery has explored and clarified many important topics, whilst fully realising that scholarship in this field is still very much in its infancy. One of the most profound influences on the appearance of furniture in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries was the system of rigid demarcations operated by the different furniture making trades, and in which the work of the joiners was th

Product Details

• Hardcover: 620 pages
• Publisher: Antique Collectors Club Dist; 2 edition (August 1, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1851490132
• ISBN-13: 978-1851490134
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.7 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,701,655 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply the best, most informative book available., November 6, 1999

By 

garioki (Bendigo, Victoria, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Oak Furniture - The British Tradition (Hardcover)

This is the most informative book I have seen on all subjects of wooden furniture and does not limit itself to only oak. It describes in great detail the facts on why varying woods were used in each time period due to availability and why only certain trades were allowed to do specific work due to guild laws. The descriptions and photos are amazing, ( WARNING, you will be spellbound for hours looking at these...:) ), and the index at the back of the book uses the best system that I have seen by far, each picture is displayed in thumbnail size pictures and arranged by catagory. Simply look at the index section for chairs, see the thumbnail photo of the one you seek and the page location is written underneath. Family and friends borrow this book so much that I have often contemplated buying a second copy just to be sure of having it around all the time...:) This book will never go out of date. If you only ever buy one book on earlier woodworking, this is the one you must see. Would also make the best coffee table book I've ever seen.... Its BIG, its impressive and its the best, what more could you wan't?

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful book on early furniture . . ., March 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Oak Furniture - The British Tradition (Hardcover)

if you have an interest in the development of early furniture . . . and how to recognize real pieces that are still on the market . . .and still surprisingly available . . .this is perhaps the definitive book out there . . . it is highly recommended despite how costly it is . . .

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading for lovers of oak furniture, July 27, 2005

By 

P. J. Walsh (Surrey, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Oak Furniture - The British Tradition (Hardcover)

This is an invaluable reference book on early oak furniture, which is neccessary for anyone who wishes to have an understanding of the subject. It is both full of expert knowledge explained in a clear concise manner and also contains numerous photographs of the furniture which is depicted in an organised chronogical order that clarifies the text.