Antique elm stools

Elm wood has a long history of use in furniture construction in Britain and Europe, dating back to medieval times. Elm was highly valued for its strength, durability, and attractive grain patterns, and its resistance to rot and decay, making it a popular choice for furniture. During the 17th and 18th centuries, elm was widely used for a variety of furniture styles, including Queen Anne, Chippendale, and Georgian. Elm was also commonly used for the construction of Windsor chairs, which were popular in England and America during the 18th and 19th centuries.

There are two distinct types of stools. The earliest is the simplest type of seat furniture probably devised by human beings, consisting of a short wooden bench standing either on four legs or sometimes a flat-shaped support at either end. The legs may be square or turned, and in primitive versions simply sticks cut from a tree. Round milking stools usually had only three short legs.

The second more sophisticated type of stools, were constructed with a frame joined by mortice and tenon joints. Using this construction method, padded or upholstered stools for use in the drawing room have more... been made since the 17th century, following the trends in stylistic design over the years. less...