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There are a couple different configurations of period joined stools and formes. The forme I made recently features a lower stretcher that connects the legs. This is a standard English style. Formes with a central stretcher are also known. In this case, the stretcher is in the middle of the forme, directly under the seat and ties to the end stretchers.
Period formes are often a bit taller than I made mine (my log was only 35″ long, just tall enough to get two legs out of each riven piece). People put their feet on the lower stretchers to keep them off of the cold floor, which may have been earthen or stone in the 17th c, but likely cold in any time.
In use, I find the stretcher connecting the legs a bit problematic. You can’t get your feet very close to the table when serving. This is a problem period servers didn’t have. Dining in the 17th c often looked a bit like the famous painting of the Last Supper, with Christ and his disciples all seated on one side of a long table. I always thought this was artistic license, allowing Da Vinci the ability clearly show each disciples face. But in fact, this is the way many people of that time (Da Vinci’s time, not Christ’s) ate. They were seated on one side of a table and served from the other.
Attitudes about dining and servitude changed (thankfully) and people began eating at more egalitarian oval tables. They were served plates of food or elegant serving dishes that allowed them to serve themselves.
As we design and build period furniture, it can be helpful to learn the context in which the originals were used. I was supposed to build two or three of these formes, at least one long forme and possibly two shorter. I’ve only finished the one thus far. I’ll move that one to the far side of the table against the wall so I can better serve my disciples their chicken nuggets and mac and cheese.
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I’m not familiar with the "linseed oil and shoe polish over milk paint" technique used on the legs and stretchers, and was unable to find it on Google. Where can I find information on the technique?
I am new to your blog and must say I am impressed with what I have read so far.
I cheat and use a lot of power tools, but with reading some of your articles, it has motivated me to start doing more by hand.
Thank you for the interesting reading.
Adam
here goes. All I wanted to say was that I was pleased to see someone tackling early stuff. Joined stools (or forms) are the essence of that period work, sans carving & panels. But the rest of it is there. I was going to ask what timber, but you emailed that’s it’s red oak & walnut. what size joints? How did you cut them? I guess that’s in the article. I’ll hold off other questions til I have a chance to read it.
In answer to a question you got about joined forms/stools/table with their stretchers right on the floor – that is from being worn or cut down. they should have feet below the stretchers, so maybe 2-4" more in height. Victor Chinnery’s book Oak Furniture: the British Tradition is an excellent work on seventeenth-century stuff…even though it’s almost 30 years ago.
regards
PF
I think foot wear is common on heavy furniture from this period. I haven’t flipped any of these tables over and may not get to any time soon, so I’m not 100% sure that no one ever put their stretchers really low. I wouldn’t think they were ever designed to contact the floor.
Adam
Adam – Many of these tables in museums have the stretchers placed low enough so that they rest directly on the floor, while the joint stools usually have the stretchers placed at least a couple of inches off of the floor. I’d always assummed that the tables actually had feet (like the reproduction you built) and they were cut off later in their history (perhaps to make seated dining more comfortable). Based on your access to museum pieces and discussions with conservators, were these long tables actually constructed with the stretchers resting on the floor, or are their current condition based on wear and/or later modifications?
Adam – Many of these tables in museums have the stretchers placed low enough so that they rest directly on the floor, while the joint stools usually have the stretchers placed at least a couple of inches off of the floor. I’d always assummed that the tables actually had feet (like the reproduction you built) and they were cut off later in their history (perhaps to make seated dining more comfortable). Based on your access to museum pieces and discussions with conservators, were these long tables actually constructed with the stretchers resting on the floor, or are their current condition based on wear and/or later modifications?
I was frugal with my log I should be able to make several more formes with it.
Adam
You know, I think that you do great work! It may not be everyone’s taste, but it certainly encourages me when I am working on a project.
Out of curiosity, when you start on your remaining Formes, will you split logs or use sawn lumber? If sawn, which lumber?
Roderick