Irish Furniture
After the restoration of Kings Charles II to the English, Irish and Scottish throne in 1660, Ireland experienced a relatively peaceful period in its history. Cities expanded and trade increased, however, society remained fragmented due to religion and class. Furniture was predominantly fashioned from oak during the early 17th century, however, from the 1660s, Continental influence became more prevalent and walnut imports more desirable. Stylistically, carving, veneers, inlays and contrasting wood colours also became more fashionable. Dublin benefitted greatly and experienced a flourishing development of trade with England and the Continent, and a significant amount of quality Irish furniture of this period was commissioned for the aristocracy.
From the 18th century onwards, Ireland experienced a noticeable rise in skilled craftsmen who emigrated to the country and brought with them different stylistic influences and developments. For example, the well-known designs of Chippendale, Hepplewhite and Sheraton hugely influenced Irish furniture character, and elements such as the dark-hued mahogany, low relief carving, oak-leaved festoons, winged birds, shells, squared claw and paw feet were intertwined gracefully with stereotypical Georgian motifs of English cabinetmakers. The development of Dublin, such as the construction of St Stephen's Green, enabled guilds and various workshops to thrive due to the new appetite for luxury.
Towards the close of the 18th century and beginning of the 19th, the Acts of Union united the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland. This union enabled the furniture business to flourish considerably and created further crossover with makers and styles, such as the neoclassical, a style based on the art and building designs of ancient Greece and Rome. Mahogany and rosewood were popular and japanned furniture also became a frequent feature in many wealthy homes. The Industrial Revolution further instigated new and exciting furniture styles, and Dublin firms - such as Mack, Williams & Gibton, Arthur Jones, George Gillington, Joshua Kearney, James Del Vecchio and George Murray - prospered.
This prosperity, however, declined heavily in the early 1840s and 50s due to the Great Famine (also known as the Irish Potato Famine). The Irish suffered starvation, disease and loss of population due to emigration, all caused by a blight which affected the potato crop, upon which a third of Irish people were dependent for food. The economy tumbled and the beautiful homes of the Irish elite were stripped and looted, destroying countless works of traditional furniture. Today, the few existing examples of Irish furniture are largely found in museum collections, including the National Museum of Ireland and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. The scarce number of surviving furniture creations from Irish craftsmen and cabinetmakers that do find their way to the market are coveted by collectors all over the world.
