This weekend
my dear friend Maureen
and I were out antiquing.
She was looking for antique
English bamboo pieces.
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| cocohouseandcompany.com |
They are so wonderful!
I wanted to pull up and post
a brief history on bamboo furniture,
but the history is very long and tedious
and I didn't want to bore you with the details,
So here is a Cliff Notes version
of the history of bamboo furniture.
The first pieces date back to early
China in the 1500's.
There are also examples appearing
throughout the Far East and India
dating from the 1600's.
But let's fast forward
to the turn of the nineteenth century --
to the early 1800's in England -- and to the
British East India Company that was formed
by European investors to carry on trade with
the East, Southeast Asia and India.
As a result, chinoiserie goods such as silk, bamboo,
lacquered decor and porcelain became
extremely popular in the United Kingdom.
Which brings us next to the Royal Pavilion at Brighton.
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| Royal Pavilion at Brighton |
Brighton Pavilion was built as a seaside residence for George IV (1762-1830)
who was a huge fan of chinoiserie style. Though rooted in Chinese design, chinoiserie is a product of the imagination of the Europeans designers.
It was an artistic representation of all that was strange and unique to the Europeans about the Far East. The pavilion's interiors were heavily influenced with Chinese and Indian fashion -- with Mughal and Islamic architectural elements. It was a prime example of exoticism -- a shocking alternative to the classic mainstream taste of Regency style of the time.
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| Spectacular at dusk. |
Here are some photos
of a few details at the Royal Pavilion.
(Now that I have seen the photos, I am dying to visit there!
Please comment and tell me if you
have had the pleasure of visiting this place, ok?)
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| The Pavilion then. |
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| The Pavilion now. |
So on to the main reason for the post....
to take a peek at some of the lovely
pieces out there that you can put in your home
to capture a little bit
of English style.
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| 1stdibs.com |
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| 1stdibs.com |
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| cocohouseandcompany.com |
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| supply.com |
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| 1stdib.com |
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| 1stdibs.com |
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| Barclay Butera for Traditional Home |
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| 1stdibs.com |
Does this make you want to
put a little bamboo in your home too?
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| Traditional Home |
First tortoise and now English Bamboo. I think we are definitely soul mates! I've been looking at some pieces myself. Want to add a table or bookcase or both if I can find a spot. ;-) Would love to visit with you about this sometime...........Sarah
ReplyDeleteI ADORE bamboo! As you know Joe built our mantle with bamboo moldings and I LOVED it (in the other house). That IS one thing I will miss, that mantle. I am going to go shop at these links. Loved every single piece. I have never been outside the US:( XO, Pinky
ReplyDeleteOh, I get weak at the knees with bamboo. The bamboo chest from the Pinterest pic mad me swoon. All the pics were delicious.
ReplyDeleteThese are all beautiful pieces! I love the casual, almost beachy look of old bamboo. Did you find any pieces of interest while shopping?
ReplyDeleteAlways a good day for a history lesson. Especially one that involves all that beauty. I have been on a casual hunt for a few English Bamboo chairs for a while. Time to step up the pace..
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pieces Alison! I would love that first cabinet for my master bath.
ReplyDeletedid she find what she was seeking????
ReplyDeleteWhat gorgeous pieces. Thanks for the history lesson. It's always nice to know a little more about something. Makes you appreciate it a little more.
ReplyDeleteJudy
Alison,
ReplyDeleteI would love an English Bamboo piece in my house. I have just the spot for the piece Barclay Butera used in the entry. Great info, I had never seen the place in Brighton.
Karen
Beautiful bamboo pieces...I just painted one that I bought at a yard sale...My parents had a vintage bamboo sofa, chairs and tables...I never appreciated it until later..and then I wish I had that set!
ReplyDeleteI don't have any, but I think I would LIKE some. Just like any classic piece, it can worm it's way into any design style. Thanks for the little tutorial and all the lovely pictures to inspire.
ReplyDeletethis makes me itchy to buy some bamboo!
ReplyDeleteSPECTACULAR Alison! Love it...so classic and regal and elegant without feeling stuffy or too heavy. Just stunning!
ReplyDeleteI love bamboo pieces too and they are so overpriced here though.
ReplyDeleteLove tortoise shell bamboo the most..and tortoise shell anything. :) I enjoyed all the history behind English bamboo.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Babs
*** Oh My Gosh!!! Have been "frantically" looking for a way to contact you directly by E-mail!!! ~~~ ONE KINGS LANE just posted a few new "sales" (it's 6:20 P.M. & the debates are on)... Anyway, one has a "trotter" letter holder (I believe it's called a "trotter), and there's also a race horse... ALSO a few oils that "look like you"...
ReplyDeleteWanted to let you know NOW, just in case!!!
Best,
Linda in AZ *
bellesmom1234@comcast.net
Lovely, lovely lovely!!!! I just found your blog from a link on Pinterest (where all good things come, uh?) and I am so glad I did!
ReplyDeleteYou have inspired a new appreciation and ideas for that bamboo furniture that I often come across!
I loved this history lesson - I have to see that Pavilion in person one day! Susan at Romancing the Home
ReplyDeleteI LOVE ENGLISH BAMBOO!
ReplyDeleteCHECK THE WEBSITE
COCOHOUSEANDCOMPANY BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE BEST COLLECTION!
CHEERS