Source: Phillips House Museum via Pinterest

I’ve used my blog to talk about a number of the featured exhibitions and events throughout the year in celebration of the Four Centuries of Massachusetts Furniture. Over the past 400 years, Massachusetts has made an important contribution to furniture making in our country and is responsible for some of the finest furniture in the world. Unfortunately, this fact is often overshadowed by some of the Bay State’s other major contributions to history. To help shed light on the state’s furniture making legacy, the Four Centuries of Massachusetts Furniture project was established.

Attending a few of the featured events and exhibits that are taking place at partnering institutions throughout the state is an excellent way to get exposed to fine handmade craft furniture. In fact, I strongly encourage my clients that are considering commissioning a piece of furniture to attend such events for inspiration.

You can preview some of the furniture highlights that will be featured online and at the events through December 2014. A few items to keep an eye out for include a Valuables Cabinet, designed by James Symonds in 1679. This piece of handmade craft furniture honors the marriage of Joseph and Bathsheba Pope, prominent members of the community at that time, through the carving of the date of their marriage into the cabinet. You can see England’s influence on early American furniture through the Double Chair-Back Settee that dates back to the 1770s. This style of furniture is rare in America, and the few examples available can all be linked back to Massachusetts. There is also a Tall Clock that pays tribute to the Willard family, the prominent clock makers in Boston during the 19th century.

Are you inspired by what you see? Contact me to learn about creating your own handmade craft furniture!