Early American Antique Primitive Furniture

Throughout America’s history, craftsmen have honed their skills to build exquisite pieces of furniture. Other people built makeshift pieces of furniture to make do until they could afford the real pieces. These makeshift pieces are known as "primitives."

Periods of American Furniture

Eight periods of furniture styles evolved throughout America’s early history, according to the "Field Guide to Early American Furniture." They include Puritan Span (1650-1690), William and Mary (1690-1720), Queen Anne (1720-1750), Chippendale (1750-1775), Hepplewhite (1785-1800), Sheraton (1800-1820), American Empire (1820-1840) and Early Victorian (1840-1865). According to "Field Guide to Early American Furniture," the gap in time between the Chippendale period and the Hepplewhite period is due to the American Revolution.

During these periods, primitive copies were made until true craftsman-made items could be purchased.

Definition and Examples

Primitive furniture items were crudely made pieces used in place of popular furniture of the era until such time as a better piece could be purchased. Since these pieces were not meant to survive, they were expendable; therefore, they are rare to find today and thus much more valuable. The settle; a seat next to the fireplace; a wagon seat, a double chair for two to sit on a wagon; and a candle stand are all examples of common primitives according to "Field Guide to Early American Furniture."

Differences Between Primitive and Country

According to "Country Pine Furniture," primitives closely resemble country furniture. The difference is that primitives are crudely constructed and made from rough-hewn wood. According to Dorothy H. Jenkins, author of "A Fortune In The Junk Pile," country pieces were more likely chairs, rockers and tables made with hand plane, saw, hammer and nails, and were painted and sometimes decorated with stencils to cover mixed wood types. Primitives would not be painted, because they were not meant to last that long.

References

• "Field Guide to Early American Furniture"; Thomas H. Ormsbee; 1951
• "Country Pine Furniture"; Robert and Harriett Swedberg; 1980
• "A Fortune In The Junk Pile"; Dorothy H. Jenkins; 1963

Resources

• Primitive Furniture
• ANTIQUE FURNITURE - ENGLISH PERIODS AND STYLES