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The History of Amish Furniture

Interested in knowing the history of Amish carpentry and woodworking? The elegance in Amish wood furniture is not a new phenomenon; their woodworking tradition dates back centuries. Read on to learn more about Amish-made furniture's origins and how it has changed yet remained the same.

History of Amish Furniture

Understanding Amish Culture

The Amish have been around since the 16th century after a community comprised of Anabaptist Christians in Switzerland broke apart from their congregation. The 19th century saw many Amish migrate to Pennsylvania and settle in towns far from the industry and technology of today's world. Fundamental Amish values, like traditional values, self-sufficiency, and community, were reflected in their craft and carpentry skills.

Methods and Traditions

Since the Amish at that time were known to steer clear of using screws or nails, their method of building furniture was unique. For instance, they use stunning dovetail joints connecting two pieces of furniture together. Another distinctive feature of Amish woodworking is how the traditional methods and practices are kept alive. The Amish community is known to place importance on manual work rather than formal education, which is why most children are employed in the family's workshop before adolescence. Each generation learns about the tradition and trade of the family and then passes these on to the next generation. 

Schools of Amish Furniture Making

Within the field of Amish furniture manufacturing, different schools began popping up. Each school was renowned for its particularization and style. For instance, The Soap Hollow School was known for its gold, black, and red colored pieces. Contrastingly, the Jonestown School was known for its famous blanket chests adorned with flowers. A furniture designer, Henry Lapp, was one of the pioneers of Amish furniture that we call simple, unassuming, plain, and organic. Before Lapp, Amish furniture leaned towards a Germanic style.

Rising popularity in the 21st Century

Through the American Modernist movement during the 20th century, American folk art rapidly gained popularity. Amish woodworking was the focal point of dealers, art historians, and art critics. Amish woodworking's aesthetic value was evident in clean, straight lines and a consistent, ubiquitous theme of minimalist minimalism. Soon after, Amish wood furniture was recognized across the country. 

Fast forward to today's time, the top-quality workmanship of Amish furniture purchased from stores such as Online Amish furniture can be more adorned than ever. While mass-produced factory-made furniture dominates the majority of American houses, handcrafted wooden furniture adds a cherished human personal touch to our houses. Visit our website today to experience the tranquility and peace that wood will bring to your home for generations to come.

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