The Story of English Furniture — Season 1

The emergence of a distinctive English style in keeping with the bold buccaneering spirit of the age. 

New kinds of furniture appear and English craftsmanship develops apace, influenced by ideas brought back from the East.

Religious turmoil results in an influx of Continental craftsmen who bring their ideas and skills with them - including the art of marquetry. 

Cabinet makers exploit the fashion for curved shapes - typified by the new cabriole leg -and the splendid decorative effects that could be achieved in walnut. 

The most famous name in English furniture - the 'high priest of mahogany' who saw the potential of the middle-class market and who started a revolution in design. 

There was no designer anywhere in Europe who employed the Neoclassical style with more vitality or distinction.

Gillows, Hepplewhite and Sheraton exploit the trend. New and exotic woods, brought back from voyages of discovery, are used to great effect. 

The pinnacle of Regency splendour - the Royal Pavilion, Brighton.

The Great Exhibition, William Morris, Art Nouveau and a stylistic free-for-all; furniture produced on a scale never seen before. 

The last programme in the series examines the contribution of the present century and ranges from Edwardian furniture through Utility and on to tubular steel. The final part of the programme is a discussion on the present and future prospects for English furniture, featuring Barry Ereolani, John Makepeace, Arthur Negus and Hugh Scully.