Jacobean (1600-1690)

Jacobean is an English style of furniture, which is medieval in appearance with straight lines, rigid designs, sturdy construction, ornate carvings, and a dark finish. Much of Early American furniture was patterned after this style.

Appearance

Sturdy – Straight lines and a heavy proportion.(Arts and Craft style shown)

Chair Arms

Slopes to front posts – Arms slope down to meet posts from the seat.

Chair Back Material

Wood – Wood chair back.

Chair Back Shape

Solid – One piece or solid panel chair back.

Chair Leg Shape

	Round – Round, usually shaped or turned leg.
	Straight – Straight leg, vertical to chair seat.
	Simple turning – turned leg with a few types of turnings.

Chair Seat Material

	Rush – Woven rush.
	Wood – Various types of wood.

Chair Seat Shape

Square – Square shaped seat.

Drawer Pull

	Brass Knob – Mushroom-shaped brass knob.
	Tear Drop – Tear-drop shaped pull attached by a knob to a back plate. The back plate is usually circular, oval, or diamond shaped.

Fabric

	Leather – Material made from the tanning of animal hides.
	Velvet – Woven pile fabric that is soft and sturdy, often made of silk with blends of cotton, nylon, and rayon.

Finish

	Oil Varnish – Clear finish that emphasized the grain of the wood.
	Wax – Paste finish over a sealer, stain, or bare wood.

Foot

	Block – Flat-surfaced foot.
	Bun – Rounded foot, flatter than a ball foot.
	Continuation of leg – Leg does not terminate into a foot.

Hardware Material

	Brass – Yellowish metal made from copper and zinc.
	Iron – Grayish-brown metal with a dull finish.

Joint

Mortise and tenon – Wood joint in which a projecting tenon of one board is fitted into a mortise or hole of another board.

Line

Straight – Straight lines.

Motif

	Acanthus leaf – Conventionalized leaf.
	Acorns – Turned form often used as finials on chair and bed posts, and leg turnings.
	Carved Head – Carved front view of a human head.
	Diamond – A figure with four equal sides and two obtuse angles.
	Geometric – A figure made of squares, circles, and triangles.

Ornamentation

	Banding – Thin strips of contrasting veneer used as a decorative border or edging.
	Carving – Cutting or chipping the surface of wood to create a shape or design.
	Paneling – Raised, recessed, and framed panels.