The Amish crafted arm chair is a robust design of beauty and comfort. If any furniture has seen change and varying styles of design it would be the age old chair. Ancient wall art and pottery confirm that chairs have existed since at least 3000 B.C. Today there are hundreds of designs both in and out of fashion but the Amish arm chair constructed in the tradition of great Mission furniture designers still reigns superior with its solid wood frame and eye appealing lines.

Since their conception chairs have always been used as a symbol of status. The lack of a seat shows the lack of importance such as in standing room only. If no seat shows lack of respect then the placement of a chair as well as its design can show your power or importance. Take the throne as an example or the coveted “head of the table” arm chair.

It was not until the 18^th century that chairs instead of stools or back stools were actually considered for the masses; becoming a common piece of furniture with varying designs ensuing. It was then that not only were chairs more widely available but that they actually began dividing into usage categories. Chairs were designed to suit different professions, sporting and even gaming events as well as different interior designs. There were chairs for barbers, hunting, drinking, kneeling, sewing, rocking, writing, and so on.

Chair making became such a specialized craft that in 1633 courts were engaged to determine what branch of woodworking would be allowed to actually continue. Court order or not the craftsmen the court had ruled against ignored the court’s decision and continued making chairs. As he dealt with fabricators of his designs the great Thomas Sheraton, one of the “big three” English furniture makers of the 18th century, realized that chair making was different than other talents and must be concentrated on to become proficient. This is still true today among the Amish wood crafters. Today’s Amish arm chairs are handmade in sturdy styles like the slatted Morris as well as other panel sided, cushioned designs. All are available in many types of upholstery and cushion choices from foam to spring and in woods like oak, cherry, maple. Available to the masses but still made by individual joiners your own Amish chair can make history and make you the king or queen of your own castle.

Tags: Amish Furniture Styles, arm chairs, Chairs, furniture history, Interior Design

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 20th, 2008 at 3:08 pm and is filed under Amish Furniture Styles, Arts and Crafts, Chairs, Craftsman, Design Style, History of Furniture Making. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.