01/11/2025 General News
For many people, the materials they picture when asked to think about antique furniture are exotic hardwoods such as mahogany or walnut – and indeed these woods are experiencing something of a renaissance in the saleroom, writes Henry Hammond.
But it is oak which holds a special place in English furniture-making, having been a favoured wood for centuries. Unsurprisingly considering this is the quintessential English tree (think ‘Heart of Oak’), furniture has been made from this wood for centuries, from the late medieval and Tudor eras, through the Georgian and Victorian periods, and right into the 20th century.
Oak is an excellent choice of wood for furniture. It is a hardwood which is renowned for its strength and resilience, and has a high tannin content, making it resistant to insect and fungal attacks. English oak in particular (as opposed to American oak) has a very tight grain and a deep, mellow patina.
Over time it develops a rich, golden-brown hue and a smooth, polished texture. The natural grain patterns, including the silvery streaks that run across the grain which are called medullary rays, are almost impossible to replicate in modern materials.
From the 15th century onward, oak was the predominant wood used for making furniture. During the Tudor period it was characterised by a solid, heavy form, often featuring elaborate Gothic hand-carved decorations.
In the 17th century, furniture design became lighter and more intricate, with more geometric shapes. It wasn’t until the start of the 19th century, as the British Empire started to grow, that more exotic woods such as mahogany, walnut and teak started to usurp oak’s prime position.
In the early 20th century oak started to come back into favour with furniture-makers. The Arts and Crafts movement emphasised handcraftsmanship and natural materials, rejecting the mass-produced furniture of the Industrial Revolution. Then more modern makers such as Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson adopted the wood to reflect an interest in ecclesiastical interior design.
Today oak remains a popular choice, with modern mass producers adopting the wood and marketing it with those same advantages of strength and durability. And increasingly, an environmental awareness of the importance has seen consumers turning away from endangered tropical hardwoods and seeking out more sustainable materials – an area in which oak scores highly.
Antique oak spans a wide range of styles, from large, imposing pieces such as refectory tables, four-poster beds and large cupboards, to smaller, more functional items such as sideboards, writing desks and occasional tables. The rustic farmhouse look is particularly popular, as it fits in with the modern design language.
Collectors of antique oak furniture are often drawn in by the craftsmanship and history behind each piece, alongside the wood’s durability. A well-maintained piece of oak furniture can last not just a lifetime, but many centuries, making it not just a good investment, but as sustainable a choice as you could make.
Keys autumn Fine Sale takes place from 19th-21st November. A full online catalogue will be posted during the first week of November at www.keysauctions.co.uk.