Ancient Greek Furniture The Greek furniture tended to be round, curved, softer style Comfortable supportive to the body symmetrical and functional than the styles of Egyptian furniture. No paintings

The ancient history of furniture came to us principally from the art records and the knowledge came from numerous configurations that were found on Greek vases, sculptures, inscriptions, tombstones, coins, reliefs in the Parthenon, paintings in pottery, relief curvings and other illustrated examples depicted in Greek art.

Egyptian furniture was a stiff, rectangular, and unflattering shape Egyptian furniture was a stiff, rectangular, and unflattering shape. (Benazir 2012). Greek and later the Roman furniture lines became softer, much use was made of subtle and elegant curves, and more attention to comfort (Benazir 2012). Greek furniture comfortable and functional. Chair makers begin to adapt their designs to the human body. Greeks also used materials and sophisticated crafting techniques for the furniture forms based on daily needs and culture. Greeks tended to base furniture ornament on architectural decoration, and the general symmetry and regularity of the whole design.

Constructed out of wood also made of stone, marble or metal, such as bronze, iron, gold and silver. Oak, maple, beech, cedar, olive, lime and willow Marble and bronze were used in conjunction with wood. Greeks used the technique of wood veneering. The designs were inspired and derived from the plant and animal world inlays, painting, adjectives, or woodwork.

Kline Diphros Okladias Klismos Chair Bathron (Stool) 3 Legged Table Greek Vase

Roman Furniture The ancient Romans and Greeks laid the foundation for Western culture, so, much of their furniture was similar. Roman furniture was essentially Greek in character, with some notable influences. Roman furniture is based on a few factors, such as materials. Romans made their furniture from wood, metal, or stone (generally marble).

Lectus - provided by mattress and pillow There was not much difference between the bed and couch. The couch was often set in an entertainment area for guest to lie on while eating and relaxing. Although the Greeks did have similar pieces of furniture the decorating was a bit different. The Greeks often decorated with vases while the Romans with there sculpture’s. Lectus - provided by mattress and pillow

Ancient Greek Chair of State Roman Chair of State Stone Marble User Comfort

First improvement upon the primitive sella Throne (Sloping back) Mensa Roman Table First improvement upon the primitive sella (Straight back) Sella Curulis (Roman Curule Chair)

Byzantine Interiors

Byzantine  The Byzantine period was from 330-1453 CE and was the longest political entity in European history.  It was associated with the Eastern culture and influenced by the Greeks and Orient.  The Byzantine Empire was a secular leadership and religion.  Constantinople eventually became the capital of the Roman empire.

Byzantine Empire Furniture Early Christian and Byzantine furniture was of two distinct types. The common people had very little furniture. The few items they had were lightly built and usually designed so that they could be easily folded and put away, leaving additional space in cramped environments. Church and palace furniture, however, was built of solid, heavy timber, designed to last, and designed for the space it was to occupy.

Palace Furniture Byzantine palace furniture can still be seen in museums today. The throne of Queen Marie, for example, is skillfully turned and richly carved. The back is inlaid with silver embossed in an intricate design. Palace furniture included heavy, carved and pillared chairs, tables with inlaid worktops, cabinets and storage chests.

Chests, Stools, Tables & Beds Chests were also used by the common people, and were often fitted with locks and keys. Folding stools were popular. These could be build entirely of wood, a combination of wood and fabric or, occasionally, from metal. Folding tables were also much used as they were portable and easily moved out of the way when not in use. Beds could be folding stretchers, simple sleeping platforms, frames strung with cords - or just a mattress on the ground.

The Byzantine Heritage The later Romanesque and Gothic styles followed the furniture making techniques preserved by the Byzantine empire, and this made possible the Renaissance with its proliferation of art, architecture and furniture styles.

ROMANESQUE FURNITURE

Romanesque furniture consisted mostly of pieces designed and consructed for church use. Altars,canopies,shrines,siver chalices,trone chairs,caskets and tapestry were all common Romanesque furniture pieces.

Since common people of this era lived very simply,Romenesque furniture was predominantly designed for churches and aristocracy.

Romanesque furniture is decorated with carving or paintings. Arches and curves were the design theme, both in the shape of the item itself, and the carved paneling and decoration. Simple animal and plant forms were also used in carving. Many items were brightly painted to lighten up gloomly interiors.

ISLAMIC TRADITION OF FURNISHING

Islamic art encompasses the visual arts produces the 7th century onward by people who lived within the territory that was inhabited by or ruled by culturally by islamic populations Beginnings (started before 9th century) The Medieval Period (9th – 15th centuries) Modern Period (15th century)

Begginings (9th Century) Ummayad Dynasty Abbasid Dynasty

The Medieval Period (9th – 15th century) Fatimid Dynasty Mamluk Dynasty Spain and Maghreb Iran and Central Asia

Modern Period (15th Century)

OTTOMAN Empire

References Theodore Alexander, 2011, The Original Original and Its Prodigies. Retrieved from, http://theo.theodorealexander.com/2011/08/26/the-original-original-and-its-prodigies/ Vasiliki KAMPERIDOU, Vasileios VASILEIOU, 2013, Ancient greek furniture: source of inspiration for the designers and manufacturers of modern times, Faculty of Forestry and Natural Environment, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Katerina Bulovska, 2017, Ancient Greek furniture. Retrieved from, http://www.wallswithstories.com/ancient/ancient-greek-furniture.html Benazir Jawahar S.H.R. Ar (2012): History of Interior Design – I. School of Architecture & Interior Design, SRM University. Furniture Types Drawing. Retrieved from, https://oohsonice.wordpress.com/2014/10/31/interior-design-plates/

http://www.furniturestyles.net/medieval/byzantine/ https://frameone.com.br/en/the-chairs-history/the-chairs-history-middle-ages-byzantine/ http://www.furniturestyles.net/medieval/romanesque/ https://designergirlee.wordpress.com/2011/02/04/romanesque-furniture/ https://drewidhistory.wordpress.com/2011/05/04/romanesque-furniture-and-decorative-arts/ https://a.1stdibscdn.com/archivesE/1stdibs/021914/BremermannCC_DM/05/B.jpg