Reading List

This list concentrates on generally available works for the non-specialist, instead of the esoteric and academic stuff found in my other lists. Most of these books should be available in a large reference library. I've divided each section into two: Standard Works are either in print or commonly available, in English, and of use to someone with a passing interest in the area; Advanced Works are either harder to obtain, in a foreign language, or of peripheral interest. The Middle Ages and Renaissance is a rather neglected era in English furniture studies, the amount of material available in German and French simply puts English to shame.

For a different perspective you should also check out Tom Rettie's Recommended Reading List

Furniture & Building

Standard Works

Building in England down to 1540: A Documentary History - L.F. Salzman, Oxford University Press, 1952 ISBN: 0198171587

Available in a recent reprint edition. Salzman surveys the history of medieval English construction from surviving period documents and uncovers a fascinating array of facts. For example, we can determine that oil-based paint was used for interior woodwork based on the payments to painters for their materials.

The Dictionary of English Furniture - Edwards & Macquoid, Antique Collectors' Club, 2000 185149037x

The new edition of the standard reference work on English furniture. Many of the articles have a medieval tidbit or two. Unfortunately, it's frequently only a tidbit so finding what you're looking for can be a chore. There are lots of illustrations, but they tend to be on the small side since the book is trying to cover all of English furniture. Unfortunately it's quite expensive (even in paperback) so this is one to look at in the library.

Die Konstruction alter Möbel - Erich Klatt, Hoffmann, 1998 ISBN: 3421031932

Despite the title, the text is in German, English, and French. The focus of the book is on measured drawings of period originals. While only about a quarter of the drawings relate to the Middle Ages and Renaissance each section contains photographs of additional pieces. Invaluable for the gory details of furniture construction.

Oak Furniture, The British Tradition - Victor Chinnery, Antique Collectors' Club, 1979, ISBN: 1851490132

This is probably the single best work in English on early furniture. While Chinnery's real focus is on 16th and 17th Century middle class furniture he includes a significant amount of medieval pieces in order to examine the evolution of style and technique. Other chapters cover available woods, the organization of the woodworking trades, finishing, and other topics. Heavily illustrated

Advanced Works

Furniture in England, France, and the Netherlands - Penelope Eames, The Furniture History Society, 1977. ISBN: 09053335026

A look at medieval furniture from an art history perspective. Good at setting the social context of furniture usage, but suffers from a focus on a limited number of pieces. Since Eames has an art history perspective there isn't anything here on technique.

Die Kunst des deutschen Möbels Bd. I, Aus die Anfängen bis zum Hochbarock - Heinrich Kreisel and Georg Himmelheber, C.H. Beck, 1981 ISBN: 3406079644 [The Art of German Furniture Vol. 1, From the Beginning to the High Baroque]

Le Mobilier Français du Moyen Age a la Renaissance - Jacqueline Boccador, Monelle Hayot, 1988 ISBN: 2903824134 [French Furniture of the Middle Ages and Renaissance]

Le Mobilier du Moyen Age et de la Renaissance en France - Jacques Thirion, Faton, 1998 ISBN: 2878440374 [Furniture of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance in France]

Le Mobilier Français: Moyen Âge, Renaissance. Monique Blanc. Massin, 1999 [French Furniture: Middle Ages, Renaissance]

None of these are in English, but they're all heavily illustrated and it's not too hard to figure out the captions. They're expensive so try the library or ILL.

Sort-of-Useful Works

Constructing Medieval Furniture: Plans and Instructions with Historical Notes - Daniel Diehl, Stackpole, 1997 ISBN: 0811727955

Medieval Furniture: Plans and Instructions for Historical Reproductions - Daniel Diehl and Mark Donnelly, Stackpole, 1999 ISBN: 0811728544

I don't hate Diehl's books as much as some people do. On the one hand, they're a useful source of ideas. On the other hand, the historical notes are riddled with errors, some of the projects are based on other people's reconstructions rather than existing pieces, and some of the technical advice is dubious. If you have some woodworking experience and don't mind reworking his patterns the books might be useful, otherwise don't bother.

Furniture 700-1700. Eric Mercer. Meredith Press, 1969

Great pictures, bad text. Mercer has a very large and obvious axe to grind regarding the Middle Ages. The text really isn't bad once you get past the first few chapters, but take his historical assertions with a large piece of salt. Out of print, but very commonly available.

Tools

To my knowledge, there are no books specifically on Medieval and Renaissance woodworking tools. Most books simply lump everything before the 18^th Century into an introductory chapter. Fortunately, the woodworking trades were extremely conservative and tools didn't change that much over the years.

Standard Works:

Ancient Carpenters' Tools - Henry Mercer. Dover, 2000 (reprint). ISBN: 0486409589

Dover's reprint of Henry Mercer's 1920 classic. Despite the title, Mercer focuses on 18^th and 19^th Century American tools with looks back to earlier periods.

The History of Woodworking Tools - W.L. Goodman, Bell, 1964. ISBN: 66004893

Out of print, but not too hard to find. This was the second serious work on woodworking tools. Some of Goodman's research has been superceded by more recent work, but 95% of what's there is fine.

The History of the Woodworking Plane - Josef Greber, Early American Industries Association, 1991.

A translation of Greber's Geschichte des Hobels. A little hard to find, but simply the best book on planes there is. There is also some information on other tools. The book comes as part of a two volume set with one volume being the German original and the other the English translation.

Advanced Works:

Tools: A Guide for Collectors - Jane and Mark Rees, Roy Arnold, 1999 ISBN: 090463812X

There's not a thing in here about the Middle Ages or Renaissance, but I still like this book for its 19th Century catalog illustrations and the Rees' lively writing. If you're not a tool junkie you might not be interested.

Werkzeug des Schreiners und Drechslers - Gunther Heine, Thos. Schaefer, 1990. ISBN: 3887462289 [The Tools of the Joiner and Turner]

A German look at woodworkers' tools with a focus on cabinetmakers and turners. The text is in German, but the book is mostly pictures

Woodworking

There has been a resurgence of interest lately in "traditional" woodworking techniques, this is mostly 18^th and 19^th Century oriented but as I said earlier the woodworking trades were very conservative and technique probably didn't change that much over the years. Most woodworking magazines have at least a few hand tool oriented articles these days, so a stroll through the magazine rack at your local bookstore might be worthwhile. These books are aimed at woodworkers, not at historians so take historical information with a grain of salt.

The Woodwright's Apprentice: 20 Favorite Projects from the Woodwright's Shop., 1996. ISBN: 0807846120
The Woodwright's Companion: Exploring Traditional Woodcraft., 1991. ISBN: 0807840955
The Woodwright's Eclectic Workshop., 1991. ISBN: 0807843474
The Woodwright's Shop : a practical guide to traditional woodcraft., 1981. ISBN: 0807814849
The Woodwright's Work Book: Further Explorations in Traditional Woodcraft., 1986. ISBN: 0807841579

Roy Underhill is host of PBS' long-running series "The Woodwright's Shop" and a frequent lecturer on traditional woodworking. While Roy's focus is on 18^th and 19^th Century American technology, he makes occasional forays back to earlier periods. The books jump around a little so it's worth leafing through them to find the ones you're interested in. Unlike many other woodworking books, Roy's historical information is generally reliable.

Classic Finishing Techniques - Sam Allen, Sterling, 1994 ISBN: 0806905131

Allen provides recipes and instructions for using pre-industrial finishing techniques. These are generally modernized versions of 17th and 18th Century recipes. Considering the hazards of some of the original techniques and ingredients, this is a case where modern is a good thing. Most of the materials Allen uses might have been used by the Renaissance, although there is generally little or no evidence that they were.

Hand Tools: Their Ways and Workings - Aldren Watson, Norton, 1982 ISBN: 0393016544

This book has been recently reprinted. Covers the most common kinds of hand tools, their parts, how to maintain them, and how to use them. These are the sort of tricks you usually pick up either through a lot of experience or by hanging out with old hands. The next best thing to an actual teacher.

Restoring, Tuning, & Using, Classic Woodworking Tools - Mike Dunbar, Sterling, 1989 ISBN: 080696670X

This is the book that most people in the old tools community recommend to newcomers. Dunbar covers selecting and buying tools (although some of his comments on availability and price are far too optimistic these days) and restoring them to usable condition.

Sources

The following booksellers specialize in woodworking and/or old tool related books or are worth looking at for other reasons. Recent books can also be found at any of the big book chains (Amazon, Borders, Barnes & Noble, etc.).