Black Furniture Black Furniture
Black Furniture
Furniture that is either painted or lacquered in black became very popular in the late 1700’s and is still popular today. Black furniture is usually walnut, oak, pine, and other wood that has been painted over. Some black furniture is also made from black walnut. The pieces are typically a contrast to the rest of the room, which is what makes it appealing. Rooms that have light walls and carpet find black painted furniture to be a stark and often stunning contrast. In earlier history it used to be a sign of wealth to have such a contrast, today it is a balance of obtaining this oppulent look without making the room cold and uninviting.
Black furniture can come in many forms such as dining chairs, chest of drawers, side tables, dressing tables, desks, black mirrors and more. Each piece of black furniture usually has some characteristics that they share. For instance the chairs and tables usually have four legs in a rounded shape. In other words the legs of the furniture can be bowed, rounded, or ornately carved, but they are rarely ever straight.
The chairs tend to be oval for the back, with slim side arms. The covering for the chair is most usually a silk or other expensive cloth. The cloth is also white to contrast with the black frame of the chair.
The various tables offered in black furniture are rectangular in shape rather than square in most instances. The table top will have a flat surface and a bevelled edge. If the table or desk has a draw it can be painted or carved in an antique fashion. French, Venetian, and English style carvings are most commonly leaves, symbols, or family crests. The drawers then have a brass, silver, or gold handle or knob. The knobs and fittings are often decorated to blend into the furniture rather than stand out.
Black chests of drawers can vary in style. You have the older antique look with four feet in a curved appearance. This style chest of drawers usually has four drawers or two drawers the entire width of the chest. There will be two keyholes, but four brass, gold or silver handles. The handles normally hang down and have a hand grip rather than a stationary handle. The chest of drawers can be carved, painted, or simply plain. The edges of the top of the chest of drawers will be bevelled, yet afford a flat surface. Some chest of drawers in black furniture can also be mirrored furniture.
Carving on black furniture is the most notable characteristic of each style of furniture. The carvings don’t have to be elaborate, to be effective, but often are. In fact some black furniture has some very intricate work in a lattice style. There is a lot of hard work that goes into creating these delicate designs.
Many of the black furniture pieces found today will be hand carved just like in the earlier centuries. This offers the antique and quality appearance one seeks from furniture of its calibre. The black furniture of today can be adorned with a variety of different colours like gold or white to offset the black for contrast.