Materials

What are the essences and woods used in antiques and how to recognize them?

On this page we present all the essences and woods that were used in antique furniture and we offer you some hints to recognize them. Each wood has a different origin and its own history which depends not only on its intrinsic characteristics, but also on the socio-economic and historical conditions which influenced its use. In the following paragraphs, therefore, we will list the various types of wood that were used in cabinet-making over the centuries to make antique furniture , from the most rustic to the most precious and elegant. Often with the change of fashions and the most popular styles, the perception and value of some materials also changed, just as the new geographical discoveries of the modern age opened the horizon to new discoveries and exotic materials that often replaced the older ones and common in Europe. On this page we aim to show you the various essences with their main uses, characteristics, strengths and weaknesses, the periods and styles in which it is used, their value and also the meaning they have assumed in the various styles. You just have to continue reading to find out all about the essences and woods used in antiques and to learn how to recognize them.

First of all it is necessary to distinguish the woods used in antiques in soft woods and hard woods. Soft woods are generally coniferous and are more malleable, so they are easier to work with but are also less resistant. On the contrary, hardwoods derive from deciduous trees, plants that lose their leaves in winter and are more resistant and compact, requiring more strength to be worked, but allowing more refined shapes and processes.

What softwoods are used in antique furniture?

• Fir.
• Cedar.
• Swiss pine.
• Beech tree.
• Larch.
• Pine tree.
• Poplar.
• Linden.

What hardwoods are used in antique furniture?

• Maple tree.
• Amaranth.
• Bois de Rose.
• Bois de Violette.
• boxwood.
• Camphor.
• Chestnut.
• Cherry tree.
• Cypress.
• Citronnier.
• Ebony.
• Mahogany.
• Walnuts.
• Rigatino walnut.
• Elm tree.
• Rosewood.
• Oak/Oak.
• Satinwood.
• Olive.

What softwoods are used in antique furniture?

The soft woods used in antique furniture are:

Fir

Soft coniferous wood, used for rustic furniture or to build the case, i.e. the structure, of furniture then veneered in more precious essences. It has been used since ancient times, its most valuable use is, in the Spruce variant, in the inlays of antique French furniture from the 18th century. The spruce, more typical of northern Europe, in Italy grows above all in the Eastern Alps, at altitudes above 1300 m. The most noble use of this essence was in the construction of violins, guitars and cellos: Stradivari himself produced his famous violins with this wood.

Cedar

Coniferous wood, in its most widespread variant originating in Lebanon, was already used by the ancient Egyptians in the construction of boats and coffins. The biblical quotation which notes that the palace of Salamone had 45 cedar columns is significant. Light in color, with a beautiful vein tending towards reddish and a characteristic and appreciated fragrance, it was used by French cabinet makers above all for marquetry and also in the creation of small objects.

Swiss pine

The word Cirmolo originates in the Lombard dialects and indicates the wood produced by the stone pine, a conifer that grows in the Alps above 1600 meters. It is a reddish wood with peculiar knots. It is a soft wood, used for carvings or rustic furniture or for the lacquered furniture of the Venetian furniture makers.

Beech tree

It is a semi-hard wood which, unfortunately, gets bored easily, therefore it is considered poor. For its light but variegated shades, from blond to reddish, it was however appreciated by French cabinet makers. It was mainly used for furniture structures or, as an alternative to walnut, by provincial English furniture makers for popular works, mostly in the 18th century. The most noble use is due to Thonèt, who applied the steam bending of the beech in the creation of furniture, in particular for the chairs that took his name.

Larch

Coniferous wood, however relatively hard, with a reddish grain, typical of the Alps and Apennines. It is very resistant to humidity and woodworm. In cabinet-making it was used above all for the construction of furniture structures and, with the name of bois de mélèze, in France, sporadically for inlays.

Pine tree

The term pine wood indicates the essence coming from various species of conifers, especially scots pine, maritime pine and pinea pine. Used since ancient times for more common furniture, with the advent of the veneering technique, in the 1600s, it was widely used in the construction of the structure of even luxury furniture, which was then covered, decorated (in Venice) or gilded ( in England). It has a color that varies from white to yellow with reddish hues and can be both very soft and very hard.

Poplar

Essence considered "poor", it is a white wood, with yellowish or grayish hues, light and tender, which is easily tarla. It is used for rustic furniture or in furniture construction. The most valuable use it has had in the history of furniture is in Germany, in the 19th century, for veneers and inlays in the Biedermeier period.

Linden

It is a soft, whitish and light wood, used in the past for inlay and carving works.

What hardwoods are used in antique furniture?

As mentioned, the hardwoods used in antique furniture are those that come from hardwoods, and which, due to their compactness, allow more refined and precise workings, as well as being more resistant and long-lasting. Below we introduce you to all the hardwoods used in antique furniture.

Maple

Hard, light wood, used for inlays. It grows mainly in Austria, but is widespread throughout the northern hemisphere, from Japan to North America, via China and Europe. It is one of the lightest woods ever, tending towards white, it is similar to linden or birch wood. Briar is used in the production of antique secretaires.

Amaranth

It is a very hard wood, coming from Guiana and Latin America in general. Very valuable, it is also known as "purple wood" because it has a very reddish color as soon as it is cut, but when seasoned it changes to a crimson hue. Widely used by French cabinet makers, especially in marquetry, often combined with bois de rose, and sometimes as a veneer.

Bois de Rose

It is a hardwood, light blond, but with strong red and pink veins, which is obtained from tropical trees similar to rosewood. Its veins are reminiscent of striped tulips, which is why it is called tulipwood in English-speaking areas. It is used for marquetry, often combined with bois de violette. In the 18th and 19th centuries it was much appreciated and used in France and England for precious veneers. It gives off a scent for decades if not centuries after curing.

Bois de Violette

Obtained from certain types of acacia, it is a hard essence, with purplish veins, used in the inlays, in which, alongside the bois de rose, it generates beautiful contrasts. Also useful to bring out the bronze accessories

boxwood

Yellowish in colour, it is a very compact and hard wood of oriental origin, which is obtained from evergreen shrubs of the Buxaceae family. It is used for inlays and for all-round work both as furniture finishes and as small objects and sculptures.

Camphor

Coming from the Far East, it is a very fragrant wood which is mainly used in foreign manufacturing. Its typical use is in the manufacture of wardrobes and trunks precisely because it is resistant to woodworm and insects. It gives off a fragrance that does not diminish over time.

Chestnut

It is a hard, yellowish-white wood, mostly used for rustic furniture. Since the Middle Ages it has been used in Europe, mainly in Spain, France and Italy. Particularly resistant, it was sometimes used for the manufacture of the supporting structures of fine furniture. It tends to darken over time and has good resistance to woodworm.

Cherry tree

Obtained from prunus cerasus, a plant of oriental origin, it is a hard wood with a light and delicate colour, with a vein tending towards reddish. Due to its diffusion and availability it was used in Europe in popular furniture. In cabinet-making, in the 1600s, it was widely used in France and England for inlay work. In Italy it was very successful in Lucca. It was also widespread in the United States for the manufacture of commonly used furniture from the late 1600s.

Cypress

It is a hardwood, originating from one of the longest-lived plants, it exists in different species. The French variant is light red with darker veins, which the cabinetmakers used more in the inlays. The Asian variant, with shades more tending towards green, was used in England for the supporting structures of the furniture. Both in the United States and in Europe it was used for the production of rustic and popular furniture

Citronnier

The name is the common one, in France, for the citrus limonum, the lemon fruit tree. From this plant a light, solid and fragrant wood is obtained, used in the construction of furniture especially in England and France, where it was appreciated for its resistance.

Ebony

Without a doubt it is one of the most precious and appreciated essences ever. Very hard and resistant, it is pleasant to the touch thanks to its smoothness, it is a wood with a typical black colour. Being very rare, it was traded as a precious metal and frequently counterfeited. Precisely because of its hardness, it is very difficult to work, for this reason the term cabinetmaker, which indicates the craftsman very skilled in fine carpentry works, derives precisely from this essence. In modern times, it was introduced by the Flemings and Germans and was immediately successful with the French. The golden age for Ebony was the Baroque, especially in Boulle-style manufacturing. In general it is widely used in marquetry, but also for furniture covering, for contrasting effects alongside brass, bronze and tortoiseshell.

Mahogany

It is one of the most precious and sought-after woods in cabinet-making. It was discovered in Central America around 1600 and began to be imported into England in the 18th century. Much appreciated for its hardness and indestructibility, it became widespread following the blockade of walnut exports from France in 1720 and the consequent elimination of English import duties on mahogany from the colonies in America and India. The most valuable version comes from Cuba, but it became very expensive. At the end of the 18th century it also began to be used in France for Louis XVI, Directory and Empire furniture, until Napoleon forbade its importation in 1810. It was generally used in the manufacture of elegant furniture, due to its characteristics and beautiful grain.

Walnuts

Walnut wood comes from the plant whose botanical name is juglans regia, probably native to the Orient but very common in Europe. Light or dark brown in color, it is a hardwood with a beautiful grain, widely used in antique furniture. It was the main essence in Italy throughout the Renaissance and was later widespread in Europe, especially in England, until the advent of mahogany. It was used for solid wood furniture and sometimes carvings and inlays, its only major limitation is that it suffers greatly from woodworm. In France it was widely used mostly in the provinces. In the second half of the 18th century, its use decreased significantly because mahogany and other exotic woods were preferred.

Rigatino walnut

This name refers to a particular type of walnut, with a more exotic appearance, which is identified by the striped and linear grain, with a strong contrast between light and dark.

Elm tree

Very hard and compact wood, which comes from ulmus campestris. It is distinguished by its reddish brown color. It was mainly used for rustic furniture in France, Holland and Scandinavia. In England, on the other hand, it was also used a lot in inlay work.

Rosewood

Various exotic, hard and heavy woods have been brought together under the term Rosewood, characterized by a color that varies from pink to violet. Their provenance is usually from Latin America, India and Africa and are still considered very valuable woods. Until the end of the 18th century, this name also referred to the bois de violette. In general, Rosewood woods began to be imported into Europe starting from 1750 and were first used for veneering and inlays in England, joined, by contrast, with lighter woods. Subsequently, entire fine furniture was manufactured both in England, mainly in the Regency style, and in France, starting from the Neoclassical period.

Oak/Oak

Various types of wood derived from plants of the quercus genus are grouped under the name of oak or durmast. They are always resistant, hard and compact woods. Oak is lighter than oak, both are used for more rustic furniture or for French and English antique furniture interiors. In other processes it was progressively replaced by the advent of exotic woods considered more valuable from the 18th century.

Satinwood

The name wood of silk, or bois de satin, or satinwood identifies some light woods, whose surface is shiny and silky, that is, similar to silk, in fact, and for this reason they are very valuable. They are exotic woods, which come either from the East Indies, with shades towards yellow-gold, or from the West, with redder shades. They were used first in veneers, combined with darker woods, and, starting from 1820, also to build entire elegant furniture

olive

Extracted from the plant called olea europaea which lives in all the Mediterranean lands, it is a hard and compact wood. It has a characteristic light color, greenish yellow, with particular dark veins. It is widely used in cabinet-making both as solid wood for entire pieces of furniture and for inlays, veneers and decorations. Being very hard, it is also suitable for lathe work and for the manufacture of small objects.