Making Authentic Country Furniture: With Measured Drawings of Museum Classics
By John G. Shea
3.5/5
()
About this ebook
This outstanding work provides furniture makers and woodworkers with the principal antique country furniture designs used in North America during the past 400 years. Concerned only with provincial handmade designs — generally of simple solid-wood construction — John Shea's carefully researched and abundantly illustrated volume includes 95 measured drawings from which serious students and craftworkers can reproduce their own versions of these antique classics. All important European influences are represented — English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, French, Dutch, German, Spanish, and Norwegian among them.
Among the pieces represented are Shaker chairs, rockers, tables, and a wall cupboard; a New England settle, Spanish trestle table, Dutch gateleg table, French Canadian armoire and dresser, a Pennsylvania German corner cupboard and plate rack, as well as a wide array of country bedsteads, benches, stools, candlestands, plate racks, wall sconces, and much more.
Additional sections of the book provide historical background to several regional designs, describing the effects that various nationalities and ethnic and religious roots have had on furniture design and construction. A number of construction techniques (for creating dovetail joints, applied moldings, scrolled paneling, cabriole legs, mortise-and-tenon joints, and more) are also explored.
Profusely illustrated with some 800 photographs and line drawings, this richly informative manual will be valued by furniture makers for its clearly delineated technical segments as well as by anyone who has ever been fascinated by the construction and design of antique furniture.
Read more from John G. Shea
Making Authentic Shaker Furniture: With Measured Drawings of Museum Classics Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Making Authentic Pennsylvania Dutch Furniture: With Measured Drawings Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Related to Making Authentic Country Furniture
Related ebooks
Masterpieces of Furniture in Photographs and Measured Drawings: Third Edition Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Illustrated Mission Furniture Catalog, 1912-13 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAmerican Furniture and Decoration Colonial and Federal Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow To Date Furniture: An Easy Reference Guide Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Studio Furniture of the Renwick Gallery: Smithsonian American Art Museum Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsEnglish Furniture - A History and Guide Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRestoring Antique Furniture: A Complete Guide Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Chinese Furniture: A Guide to Collecting Antiques Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFurniture Style from Baroque to Rococo - The 18th Century in European Furniture Design Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Guide Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsEarly American Houses: With A Glossary of Colonial Architectural Terms Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Masterpieces of Thomas Chippendale - A Short Biography and His Famous Catalogue Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFurniture of the Renaissance to the Baroque - A Treatise on the Furniture from Around Europe in this Period Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThomas Chippendale and His Style - A Concise Look at the Most Distinguished English Craftsman Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFurniture Masterpieces Of Duncan Phyfe Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Beyond the Bungalow Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Shaker Furniture Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Making Furniture Masterpieces: 30 Projects with Measured Drawings Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Easy Mission-Style Woodworking Projects Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMaking Antique Furniture Reproductions: Instructions and Measured Drawings for 40 Classic Projects Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Mission Furniture: How to Make It Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsNeo-Classical Furniture Designs: A Reprint of Thomas King's "Modern Style of Cabinet Work Exemplified," 1829 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWoodworker's Guide to Veneering & Inlay (SC): Techniques, Projects & Expert Advice for Fine Furniture Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMaking Authentic Craftsman Furniture: Instructions and Plans for 62 Projects Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Thomas Sheraton's Classical Revival Furniture Designs Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDoormaking: Materials, Techniques, and Projects for Building Your First Door Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Roberts' Illustrated Millwork Catalog: A Sourcebook of Turn-of-the-Century Architectural Woodwork Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Woodworking: The Ultimate Woodcraft Guide. Discover Easy-to-Follow Techniques, Amazing Plan and Projects to Create DIY Furnitures Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Little Book of Woodworking Joints - Including Dovetailing, Mortise-and-Tenon and Mitred Joints Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Social Science For You
A People's History of the United States Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5All About Love: New Visions Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Men Explain Things to Me Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Just Mercy: a story of justice and redemption Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Art of Witty Banter: Be Clever, Quick, & Magnetic Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Come As You Are: Revised and Updated: The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Prisoners of Geography: Ten Maps That Explain Everything About the World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Dumbing Us Down - 25th Anniversary Edition: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Fourth Turning Is Here: What the Seasons of History Tell Us about How and When This Crisis Will End Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Denial of Death Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Like Switch: An Ex-FBI Agent's Guide to Influencing, Attracting, and Winning People Over Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Verbal Judo, Second Edition: The Gentle Art of Persuasion Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Close Encounters with Addiction Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row (Oprah's Book Club Selection) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5You're Not Listening: What You're Missing and Why It Matters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Living Resistance: An Indigenous Vision for Seeking Wholeness Every Day Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Human Condition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5My Secret Garden: Women's Sexual Fantasies Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for Making Authentic Country Furniture
9 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Making Authentic Country Furniture - John G. Shea
Making Authentic Country Furniture
With Measured Drawings of Museum Classics
John G. Shea
DOVER PUBLICATIONS, INC.
NEW YORK
Copyright
Copyright © 1975 by Litton Educational Publishing, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Bibliographical Note
This Dover edition, first published in 1993, is an unabridged, slightly corrected republication of Antique Country Furniture of North America and Details of its Construction, originally published by Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, New York, in 1975.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Shea, John Gerald.
[Antique country furniture of North America]
Making authentic country furniture : with measured drawings of museum classics / John G. Shea.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
eISBN 13: 978-0-486-14419-1
1. Country furniture—United States. 2. Country furniture—Canada. 3. Furniture—United States—Drawings.4. Furniture—Canada—Drawings. I. Title.
NK2405.S47 1993
749.21—dc20 93-34298
CIP
Manufactured in the United States by Courier Corporation
27774703
www.doverpublications.com
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
I HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF REGIONAL DESIGN
Spanish Colonial
New England Colonial
Dutch Colonial
Pennsylvania German
French Canadian
American Shaker
Other Regional Influences
Connecticut Hitchcock
Southern Plantation
Maine Curiosities
Ohio Zoar
Norwegian American
Texas German
II COUNTRY CATEGORIES: COMPARISON OF REGIONAL INFLUENCES
Chairs
Rockers
Settles, Settees, Benches & Sofas
Chair-Tables & Hutch-Benches
Tables
Beds
Cradles
Chests
Desks
Chest of Drawers
Cupboards
Buffets, Dressers & Wardrobes
Other Designs
III COUNTRY CONSTRUCTION
Template Transfers of Scrollwork
Edge Shapes
Applied Moldings
End Cleats
Edge Joints
Dado Joints
Lapped Joints
Dovetail Joints
Dovetailed Construction
Hinged Joints
Mortise-&-Tenon Joints
Cabriole Legs
Pegleg Construction
Scrolled Paneling
Turning With Templates
IV MEASURED DRAWINGS OF COUNTRY
CLASSICS
Slat-Back Side Chair
Governor Carver Armchair
Shaker Dining Chair
Shaker Tilting Chair
Shaker Rocker
Shaker Armchair
Shaker Revolving Stool
New England Settle
Hutch Table
Scrolled Chair-Table
Joint Table
Split Gate-Leg Table
Harvest Table
Spanish Carved Side Table
Trestle Board On Frame
Board On Triple-Trestle Frame
Spanish Trestle Table
Shaker Triple-Trestle Table
Shaker Sewing Table
French Canadian Side Table
Candlestand
Pedestal Table
Shaker Pedestal Stand
Shaker Pedestal Table
Shaker Sorting Stand
Shaker Sewing Stand
Trestle Tavern Table
Butterfly Trestle Table
Small Butterfly Table
Butterfly Table
Oval-Top Tavern Table
Rectangular-Top Tavern Table
Dutch Baroque Table
Dutch Split Gate-Leg Table
Shaker Dry Sink
Dough Box
Pine Set Of Shelves
Hanging Shelves
Pennsylvania German Plate Rack
Pennsylvania German Hanging Cupboard
Hanging Shelves
Shaker Wall Cupboard
Spanish Pitcher Rack
Wall Box
Thoreau’s Bookcases
Standing Shelves
Carved Bible Box
Typical Carved Patterns
Carved Desk Box
Desk Box
Pine Desk On Frame
Slant-Front Desk
Blanket Chest
Connecticut Chest
French Canadian Four-Paneled Chest
Spanish Clothing Chest
Chest With One Drawer
Pine Chest With Drawer
Shaker Chest With Two Drawers
Shaker Chest Of Drawers
Cradle
Hooded Trestle Cradle
Oak Bedstead
Four-Poster Bed
French Canadian Small Armoire
French Canadian Dresser
Spanish Cupboard
Pennsylvania German Corner Cupboard
Cyma-Scrolled Cupboard
Water Bench
Pine Dresser
Wall Boxes, Brackets & Sconces (6 Designs)
Wall Racks & Shelves (5 Designs)
Stands & Stools (5 Designs)
Pegleg Personalities (4 Designs)
Six-Board Chest
Water Bench
Spoon Rack
Wall Box
Selected Bibliography
Index
Preface
The ambitions of this work involved the exploration of all elementary antique-country-furniture designs used in North America during the past four hundred years. The definition of "country furniture," in its present popular context, excludes all furniture of sophisticated design. This rules out the more ornate mahogany, inlaid, veneered, carved and complex-shaped period pieces. Thus, from the start, the lines were sharply drawn to deal only with provincial, handmade designs — generally of simple solid-wood construction.
Considering the multiplicity of nationalities and ethnic influences that produced such furniture, it seemed desirable to break the book down into separate subchapters dealing specifically with each influence. But the scope and comprehensiveness of treatment required for each influence posed separate problems. Indeed, dozens of books have been written on each of them. Still, I did not wish to fall into the trap suggested by a Texas friend, who remarked that most books of antiques failed to consider designs that originated west of the Hudson River.
Of course, I intended to penetrate far "west of the Hudson River." But after considerable study, I ultimately learned that there was not too much distinctive material available in some western regions.
So, in the course of research, hundreds of letters were sent to curators of all significant United States museums as well as those of Canada. Thus all regions of North America were invited to contribute material relating to their historical holdings. It was reasoned that state and regional museums were in the best position to advocate recognition of noteworthy work performed in their areas.
The results of these hundreds of inquiries were not too satisfactory. For instance, it was interesting to observe the number of western and midwestern museums holding antique furniture which had originated in New England. (Of course, it is logical to assume that much early furniture was moved from east to west by pioneering settlers.) Also, a preponderance of awkward, primitive pieces emerged from many regional museums. Most of these pieces were noteworthy only because of their historical relationship to the settlement of the areas where they originated. Looked at separately, in comparison with other country designs coming from other regions, they simply did not qualify.
At all times the criteria of good design and good taste determined the selection of the furniture shown. It would seem that antiquity alone should not suffice to qualify for current interest furniture which is poorly designed. Indeed, some of the drab designs housed in museums throughout this country as authentic antiques
would better serve aesthetic purposes if they had passed into oblivion along with their makers.
Thus the original ambition of having all regions and all nationalities represented in this book had to be modified. This was because of the quality of material available and the limitations of book space. However, all important European influences are fully described. By linking the expression of regional European designs a clearer and more definitive representation seemed possible.
In this way the separation of English-speaking contributors include the work of English, Irish, Scotch and Welsh craftsmen who came to populate New England and other English colonies. Spanish Colonial also implies consideration of the work of other nationalities of the Mediterranean and southern Europe. French Canadian sketches the provincial expression of France. Dutch Colonial and Pennsylvania German also represent the European midlands, while Norwegian American deals with Scandinavian influences.
So, this book endeavors to highlight the principal ethnic and religious cultures which influenced the development of American country furniture. By way of bicentennial observation and to trace the original discoveries and explorations of the various nationalities who came to settle in America, background information is offered on the early colonization of the United States and Canada.
In order to determine the proper proportions of contents, an overall evaluation had to be made of the significance of various influences. Thus the number of pages devoted to New England Colonial exceeds that of Spanish Colonial, because the furniture produced in early New England is uniquely designed and has come to be more widely recognized and commonly used than that which remains to remind us of our Spanish heritage. By the same token, when considering contributions of religious cultures, it became abundantly evident that because of its graceful styling and functional attributes the furniture craftsmanship of the American Shakers exceeded in importance that of many other religious cultures. Hence, an increased amount of space was devoted to its presentation.
For the final chapter of measured drawings of country classics, a random selection was made of popular country antiques, spanning several influences. It is hoped that this chapter may help serious students and craftsmen to reproduce some of these venerable country classics.
John G. Shea
Greenwich, Connecticut
August 2, 1975
Woodworkers’ Conversion Table
Acknowledgments
For their courteous cooperation in furnishing photographs and information, separately identified and credited in this book, the author wishes to thank the following museums and historical sources:
The Agnes Etherington Art Center, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
The American Museum in Britain, Bath, England.
The Atlanta Historical Society, Atlanta, Georgia.
The Baker Furniture Museum, Holland, Michigan.
The Carlen House Museum, Mobile, Alabama.
De Saisset Art Gallery and Museum, University of Santa Clara, Santa Clara, California.
The First Ironworks Association, Saugus, Massachusetts.*
Fruitlands Museums, Harvard, Massachusetts.
Greenfield Village & Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn, Michigan.
The Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum, Winterthur, Delaware.
Historic St. Augustine Preservation Board, St. Augustine, Florida.
The Hitchcock Chair Company, Riverton, Connecticut.
Index of American Design, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
The Ipswich Historical Society, Ipswich, Massachusetts.*
Little Norway Museum, Blue Mounds, Wisconsin.
Longfellow’s Wayside Inn, Sudbury, Massachusetts.
The Maine State Museum, Augusta, Maine.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, New York.
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Montreal, Canada.
Musée du Québec, Quebec, Canada.
The National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Canada.
The National Museum of Man, Ontario, Canada.
New York State Museum, Albany, New York.*
The Norwegian American Museum, Decorah, Iowa.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.*
The Shaker Museum, Old Chatham, New York.*
The Shaker Museum, Sabbathday Lake, Maine.*
Sleepy Hollow Restorations, Tarrytown, New York.
Upper Canada Village, Morrisburg, Ontario, Canada.
Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford, Connecticut.*
Warren County Historical Museum, Lebanon, Ohio.*
Winedale Inn, The University of Texas at Austin.
*Photographs supplied from previous books.
I HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF REGIONAL DESIGNS
Reception room of restored early 19th century Spanish mission at Santa Barbara, California, shows heavy plastered adobe walls, original floor tiles and beams and ceiling constructed of native pine. Furniture and accessories were restored from designs produced by Indian neophytes under the direction of Spanish mission padres. (Courtesy, Index of American Design)
Spanish Colonial
Who really discovered America? This formidable accomplishment has been variously ascribed to the Scandinavians, the Greeks, the Buddhists, the Etruscans, the Hindus, the Japanese — and even the Welsh. And because of the proximity of the Bering Straits, which separate Siberia from Alaska by only a few miles, the Russians contend that they set foot on the North American continent centuries before anyone else appeared.
But for all effective and enduring purposes, the discovery
of America in 1492 by Christopher Columbus, an Italian in the employ of Spain, seems to have resolved the issue. For thereafter, America became rapidly settled, and in 1493, 1498 and 1502, Columbus returned to establish Spanish claims to territory in the New World.
Ironically, Columbus, who had set out to circumnavigate the globe in order to find new and less dangerous routes to the Orient, never learned that he had failed to accomplish that mission. From his voyages he brought back to Spain samples of exotic plants, birds of brilliant plumage and some gold. He also brought back a few native Indians
— so-called because he believed he had discovered a