No. 50. Chair of Dagobert, French 7th century, bronze.
For some time after the Norman Conquest the unsettled state of the country rendered it necessary that household effects and valuables should be few in number and of such a nature as to be easily transportable. Thus chests in which belongings could be stored came into general use. They were simple in construction, and without carving, but were strengthened and decorated by hinges and scroll strappings in iron. Such chests served a double purpose, as they could be used as tables and seats.
No. 51. 14th Century Textile Sicilian tradition.
For convenience of transport, chairs and stools were made with projecting tenons secured by pins or wedges so as to be easily taken apart.
Crusades
That the Crusades were incidental to the importation of examples of Eastern art, is evidenced by the celebrated cup of Eden Hall, on the safe preservation of which depended the worldly welfare of the owners, according to the couplet: