The Historical Journey of Furniture

The oldest wooden furniture findings date back to 3100 BC. As people's ability to make and use tools improved, the types and designs of the furniture produced also improved. In addition to making people's lives easier, furniture also took its place in human history as a work of art. Furniture is also a symbol of status. But regardless of its material, design and price, the functions of furniture have remained the same for centuries. Furniture, which meets needs such as sitting, lying down and storing, has continued these functions for centuries.

Furniture in Antiquity

From the findings, it is understood that dressers and shelves made of stone emerged in the ancient world for storage purposes. The first examples of wooden furniture that have survived to the present day are seen in Ancient Egypt. The fact that there is a lot of wooden furniture left from the Egyptian Civilization is due to the fact that the pharaohs were mummified in the pyramids with their furniture, as well as the fact that the wood material did not deteriorate in the dry desert climate. Most of the furniture used by the ancient Egyptians was similar to the ones we use today in terms of their functions. We know that they used various furniture such as chairs covered with wicker, chests, and tables. The Egyptians also had luxury items made of ebony wood and decorated with ivory. Egyptian furniture is exhibited in many museums around the world today. We understand from the findings from the period that the Greeks were also influenced by the Egyptians.

Furniture in the Middle Ages

The continuation of Roman art was Roman art, followed by Gothic art, which was dominated by religious influences and left its mark on the era. In addition, examples of furniture were seen in Byzantium, Arab countries, Anatolia and Far Eastern countries. Although the Middle Ages ended with the collapse of the Eastern Roman Empire, Gothic art continued to be influential for a while longer and gave way to a new understanding of art with the Renaissance.

In Byzantium, furniture forms were quite simple, but due to the influence of Eastern art, they had a very ornate appearance. Among the works made of wood by the Seljuks, meticulously carved and inlaid mihrabs, pulpits, lecterns, doors and windows can be seen. In the Ottoman Period, people mostly sat on low sofas, ate at floor tables, and semi-closed shelves lined up on the upper parts of the walls and built-in cabinets made of wood were used. Furniture of different characters such as Edirnekari began to be made.