Upholsterers and Interior Furnishing in England, 1530-1840

Upholsterers and Interior Furnishing in England, 1530-1840, Volume 1, provides a detailed history of the British upholstery trade spanning three centuries. Author Geoffrey Beard examines the evolving styles and craftsmanship that shaped interior decoration throughout this period. This historical study explores the lives of skilled craftsmen alongside the kings and courtiers who commissioned their work. By analyzing contemporary manuscripts, the text places the development of fine furnishings within the broader context of English history.

The book traces significant shifts in design, from the early influence of the Great Wardrobe to the rise of needleworked upholstery in the eighteenth century. Readers follow the transition from rococo styles to neoclassicism and the later introduction of Egyptian motifs. As a scholarly work of history, this volume features 376 illustrations that document the changing aesthetics of furniture and upholstery. It serves as an authoritative resource for anyone studying the evolution of English interior decoration and craft traditions.