No. 74. Fireplace, 13th century.
Italy
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.
Foreign Influence in England
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.