Among the luxuries imported were Oriental silks, carpets and pottery.
[Illustration: No. 74. Fireplace, 13th century.]
Whereas, throughout Europe generally, the Gothic character in furniture and woodwork developed on similar lines, in Italy alone its appeal to the national sympathies was not strong enough for it to become thoroughly assimilated, and there the Byzantine style persisted.
The woods most in use were oak and chestnut. In Italy walnut and cypress were used--the latter being considered especially valuable for chests.
Early examples of Italian chests are decorated with closely spaced incised ornament, filled in with colour.
The Venetians derived from Persia and India a form of marquetry or inlay of ivory, metal and various woods, generally geometric in design. The wood used was stained in order to vary the colour.
Through the policy of seeking foreign princesses as brides for the English kings, foreign influences crept in, and had a marked effect on the development of style. Moreover, increasing commercial intercourse with the Continent paved the way for the introduction of the new ideas of the Renaissance then beginning to dawn in Italy.
The Wars of the Roses checked progress in many ways, but this was but the more rapid when peace was restored with the advent of Henry VII.
There was a great change in the character of the dwelling-house, which though still built on defensive lines, was also arranged with a view to domestic comfort and convenience. The commonest form of plan was that in which the buildings were grouped round a central court and surrounded by a moat. These buildings consisted of hall, parlour, kitchen and domestic offices. The hall itself was lofty, had an open-timbered roof, and was usually lighted from both sides. One end of the hall was invariably screened off, and as the screen did not reach to the roof the musicians’ gallery was placed above it. The fireplace was set in one of the side walls. The windows, as a rule, had few lights, and these had pointed and cusped heads. The upper rooms were accessible by staircases.
A not uncommon feature on the upper floor was the long gallery, which generally traversed the whole length of the building immediately under the roof.