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Historical Development of Furniture in The Context of Narrow, Restriction and Transformation Concepts
Historical Development of Furniture in The Context of Narrow, Restriction and Transformation Concepts
Historical Development of Furniture in The Context of Narrow, Restriction and Transformation Concepts
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Abstract
Since human beings set foot on the earth, the motivation to avoid exte1rnal conditions such as weather, sun, water and wild animals has
driven them to create a place. Furniture was made of stone, wood and metals in ancient times to meet human beings’ basic needs including
sitting, sleeping and eating.
Furniture kept developing throughout history as places where they were used kept developing. There was a boom in every field
particularly after breaking points of history such as agricultural and industrial revolutions. Development of furniture was undoubtedly
influenced by the big transformation brought by these breaking points.
While furniture went on its development and transformation simultaneously with other fields, it has entered a particular problem/design
process due to changing spatial needs of human. Fixed furniture has been widely popular up to now, but people now need to use one
furniture for multiple needs as recent furniture is narrow and limited. The furniture must also be transportable from one place to another
as people now wish to use it in different settings. This contributed to the development of light and mobile furniture.
The article deals with several questions such as “What are the factors that caused the rise of flexible, functional and changeable
furniture?” and “How was furniture influenced by these factors throughout history?”.
Keywords: Transformable Furniture, Flexible Furniture, Functional Furniture, Narrow/Limited Space
˟This study was adapted from ongoing dissertation study "Transformation in Understanding of Flexible Space and Furniture" conducted under the guidance
of Assistant Professor Timur KAPROL at T.U. Science Institute Architecture Department.
Özer ÖZÇELİK, Timur KAPROL
IFC 2016 International Furniture Congress 13-15 October 2016
and color of furniture give clues about its period. On the other Picture 2. A Folding Chair from Pichelsdorf, Germany
hand, a new material or style has often been introduced on a Dating Back to 1400s B.C. [3]
chair before other furniture. The material may be used in Picture 3. A Folding Chair and Hand Tools from Jutland,
various ways on a furniture- particularly a chair which is not a Denmark Dating Back to 1400s B.C. [3]
very big object- and introduced to the market with a product
that people may easily touch and try. Thus, furniture plays a key “The oldest and most important function of furniture is the
role in development of new materials [1]. prestige its owner gains. Thrones were used to emphasize the
excellence of the kings. Good furniture has always been the
2.Historic Development of Furniture in the Concept of symbol of superiority. Countries furnished their palaces with
Narrow, Restriction and Transformation Concepts the best furniture in order to showcase their prestige” [4].
Ancient Egyptian King Tutankhamun’s folding throne and bed
with lion figures, copper hinges, linen laying are examples to
The word furniture has been derived from the word “mobile”. transformable furniture. Folding bed has 179 cm length and 68
Mobile means active in Latin. The word stem “mobi” may be cm width, showing that Ancient Egyptian civilization was highly
used to refer to anything active and portable. Furniture is the advanced in the art of furniture (Picture 4 and Picture 5). It is
inter section that adapts a place to humanitarian life conditions. estimated that the king used these furniture for his journeys as
Therefore, it is the most important feature that completes a they were portable, light and practical.
place” [2].
Furniture in ancient ages was made of stone, wood and metals
in order to meet basic needs of human beings, including sitting,
sleeping and eating. Furniture developed in time with the rising
of communities and diversifying materials.
Occurrence of furniture is not independent from the place. Both
furniture and place occurred from natural forms and local
materials. These forms are shaped according to contemporary
requirements, resulting in first places and furniture. Geography
and cultural aspects of different regions all over the world have
had significant effects on furniture and place.
Furniture began to take its modern forms in Egyptian,
Mesopotamia, Greek and Roman civilizations. The first
transformable furniture is estimated to date back to Ancient
Picture 4. Tutankhamun’s Folding Bed 18th Dynasty, 1354-
Egyptian Era. Folding stools in Ancient Egypt are the first
1352 B.C. [5],
examples of transformable furniture (Picture 1). Again, folding
Picture 5. Tutankhamun’s Folding Throne [6]
chairs dating back to 1400s B.C. were discovered in Europe.
These folding chairs are thought to be inspired from the Ancient
“Artisans transferred their aesthetics, skills and thinking
Egypt chairs (Picture 2 and Picture 3).
concepts to furniture in every age” [7]. Changing and
developing ages witnessed diversification of furniture.
“Middle Age kings and land owners led a nomadic life
characterized by invasion. Land owners who took their
furniture while moving preferred portable furniture. The idea
was to leave furniture safely in a settlement rather than
carrying all the furniture when they had to abandon the place
for any reason. Therefore, heavy, massive, assembled furniture
was used in addition to portable ones in Western and Mid-
Europe from the early Middle Age to mid-Gothic era [8].
7th century Frankish king Dogobert who built the Saint Denis
Monastery is believed to use the foldaway X framed throne. It
was probably made for the king to use during the wars as a sign
of power and grandeur. Bronze Dagobert Throne has a 104x82
cm size. Armlet and lack of the throne were added later. These
added parts are easily disassembled and do not prevent folding
Picture 1. A Folding Chair from Ancient Egypt [3]
(Picture 6).
320
Özer ÖZÇELİK, Timur KAPROL
IFC 2016 International Furniture Congress 13-15 October 2016
Rulers in Egypt and Europe were not the only ones who wished
to take their magnificent thrones or chairs wherever they went.
12th century Chinese rulers were keen on their comfort not only
in their palaces but also wars and journeys. In picture 7, you can
see a folding armchair used by a Chinese ruler. ‘‘This chair is
also made from huanghuali but has more elaborate carving and
plain brass reinforcements. It has plain wooden struts and
spandrels beneath the bend of the legs that differ from the
bamboo-shaped metal structs and dragon-carved stretchers of
the other three chairs. The splat has an S rather than a C curve,
and the frame contains three inset panels instead of being made
from a single piece of wood…….Light and easy to move, the
folding armchair was practical for traveling; emperors and
commoners used it for both formal and informal occasions’’
[11].
Picture 8. 16th Century Folding Chair [6]
As the years went on, kings and rulers were not the only class
that demanded comfort. Functional furniture was developed
for tradesmen and nobles to work and rest at their breaks
during long journeys. Furniture form constantly changed with
the ever growing demands and needs of people.
In picture 9 there is a desk made of walnut designed in 17 th
century for journeys and registered in room inventory of
Chateau Saint-Cloud Duchess Elisabeth Charlotte.1 Table legs
can be folded inside so that it may be carried easily. Upper slab
of the desk may be opened both sides so it is easily used in
restricted areas. Its has a 72.4 cm height, 84.5 cm width, 50.2
cm depth when closed and 148 cm depth when fully opened.
Thus, it gives a 294 % larger area when fully opened.
1
HANDLER S.‘‘The Chateau de Saint-Cloud, near Paris, belonged to the 2
HANDLER S. ‘‘This table has long been recognized as one of the
ducs d’Orleans until 1785.In the estate inventoryof the furnishings in the masterpieces of Jean-François Oeben, cabinetmaker to Louis XV(1710-
rooms of Duchesse Elisabeth Charlotte(1652-1722), called Madame, sister- 1774). It was made for Oeben's most important client, the king's mistress
in-law of Louis XIV, there mentioned a carved writing desk made of walnut Madame de Pompadour(1721-1764).’’ ''Austere Luminosity of Chinese
on pields de biche(doe’s feet).’’,''Austere Luminosity of Chinese Classical Classical Furniture'', Berkeley: University of California Press,pp.150,(
Furniture'', Berkeley: University of California Press,pp.79, (2001). 2001).
321
Özer ÖZÇELİK, Timur KAPROL
IFC 2016 International Furniture Congress 13-15 October 2016
below the upper slab. In the hidden section there is a mirror Shakers produced relatively innovative furniture in early 19 th
curved upwards for easy use and a drawer below the mirror. century and also designed the first samples of today’s many
There are sections on both sides of the mirror, which may be common furniture. In Picture 11 there is a folding bedstead.
closed with covers. Oeben was a master of this style and This child bedstead can be lifted up towards its case when it is
produced many similar tables for the prominent figures of the not used. Thus, it doesn’t cover unnecessary space. These
age. After Oeben’s death, his apprentice Jean-Henri Riesener samples offered ideal solutions for restricted areas and also
(1734-1806) kept the tradition and produced unique tables. relatively advanced products for their age.
322
Özer ÖZÇELİK, Timur KAPROL
IFC 2016 International Furniture Congress 13-15 October 2016
from the book “Baukastanmöbel” that he wrote and published parts with multiple functions that do not cover much space.
in 1949. Inspired by Bauhaus school, the furniture could be Folding tables, bookshelves and bedsteads are their examples.
folded, saving space in restricted areas. Disassembled and This furniture is beautiful, cheap and easy to transport and
folding design make it possible to pack and carry the furniture, assemble, covers less space” [16].
making serial production and exportation to various countries
easier.
3. Evaluatıon And Conclusıon
323
Özer ÖZÇELİK, Timur KAPROL
IFC 2016 International Furniture Congress 13-15 October 2016
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