Early English Furniture
Morning Lecture
15 November 2023
English Medieval Carved Chest in Oak
This lecture is a fascinating exploration of English furniture from medieval to Tudor times, referring in particular to its construction, decoration and usage and also to continental influences affecting its development. The solidity of early English furniture reflected its practicality, utility and durability and, rather than being the product of a ‘primitive’ craft-technology, it was extremely ‘fit for purpose’ and reflected the ever-developing skills of the artisans who made it.
Our Speaker Janusz Karczewski-Slowikowski has now retired from a 35 year-long career in Higher Education. Whilst studying for his first degree, he worked part time in an antiques shop and eventually took it over as proprietor. Such is his interest in collecting that he became known as the dealer who bought but never sold!
His lectures seek to explain furniture in terms of the skills and materials employed in its design and construction and also in its socio-economic significance. He has lectured on antique furniture since 1975 and has been an accredited lecturer for The Arts Society since 1982, giving lectures in Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, The Hague and Spain.
Janusz Karczewski-Slowikowski