American Painted Furniture 1660-1880
By Dean A. Fales, Cyril I. Nelson
Wood, like people, needs to be covered to be protected. On furniture, exterior surfaces could be waxed, oiled, varnished, or painted. In the 17th century, paints, including stains and glazes, became widely available throughout Europe. Painted furniture, easily decorated and also inexpensive, became popular both in Europe and in the American colonies.
