ROMANESQUE

THIS TIME PERIOD WAS ESTABLISHED IN EUROPEAN REGIONS AFTER THE COLLAPSE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. UNLIKE OTHER PERIODS, FEW PIECES OF FURNITURE AND ART SURVIVED FROM THIS CIVILIZATION. ONE OF THE MOST ICONIC SYMBOLS OF THIS TIME PERIOD WERE THE SEMI-CIRCULAR ARCHES.

THE "THRONE" AN X-FRAME CHAIR WAS VERY POPULAR DURING THIS ERA, THIS CHAIR EXISTED IN EGYPT, NUBIA AND GREECE. THIS CHAIR IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE DAGOBERT'S CHAIR.

A CURRENT APPLICATION FROM THIS CHAIR WOULD BE A FOLDING CHAIR, WHICH IS OFTEN USED FOR MILITARY CAMPAIGNS, OR ANY OTHER HOUSEHOLD USE. IT IS VERY POPULAR NOWADAYS BECAUSE IT IS VERY PORTABLE AND EASY TO UNFOLD.

ANOTHER VERY ICONIC CHAIR FROM THIS PERIOD IS THE CHARLEMAGNE'S THRONE. THIS CHAIR CONFERS AUTHORITY ON ITS USER BY ITS HEIGHT, MATERIAL AND SOCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES.

SOMETHING THAT I FOUND REALLY INTERESTING WAS HOW THEY WOULD HAND CARVED THE CHURCHES FACADES. NOT ONLY WERE THIS CARVINGS DECORATIVE BUT THESE ALSO REPRESENTED JESUS AND SALVATION. ROMANESQUE CHURCHES WERE DEVELOPED AFTER EARLY CHRISTIAN PLANS.

MEDIEVAL FURNITURE WAS CENTERED IN CHESTS, THESES WERE NOT ONLY USED FOR STORAGE BUT ALSO AS AN ARTICLE OF LUGGAGE. A CHEST WAS MEANT FOR STORING POSSESSIONS BUT IT WAS ALSO USED AS WORK SURFACES.

CURRENT APPLICATIONS FROM ABOVE:

MODERN CHEST

ROMANESQUE INSPIRED MODERN ARCHITECTURE

FROM JOHN'S BLOG: I REALLY ENJOYED THE VIDEO HE SHARED, THE VIDEO EXPLAINED THE ROMANESQUE ARCHES AND HOW THE COLUMNS AND FACADES WERE CARVED.

FROM KRISTINA P'S BLOG:  FIRST OF, I LIKE THE FORMAT OF HER BLOG, ITS VERY EASY TO NAVIGATE. SHE FOCUSED ON THE CHURCHES INTERIORS, AND HOW THE PRIMARY COLORS THAT WERE USED FOR THE INTERIOR DECORATION WERE DARK GREENS, PURPLES, BLUES AND GOLD.

POMPEII

Roman houses were decorated with wall paintings, these were done on wet plaster, and they were categorized into four techniques.

The first style, painted stucco mimics other materials such as stone, and marble. The french phrase "Trompe l'oeil" means "Trick of the Eye" refers to this approach of wall decor.

The second style, mimics architectural construction such as columns, entablatures and arches. The color palette is similar to the Minoans and Greeks, including the most popular color which was red, also known as "Pompeian red".

The third style, shows an increasing amount of pictorial sophistication and the architecture represented is more fantastic, the frescoes shoe images of the architecture. There are attenuated columns, garland birds and vegetation, sometimes even framed painted within the painted scenarios.

The fourth style, is associated with the reign of Claudius, wall paintings were representational and often featured large scenes and panoramic vistas.

WHAT HAPPENED TO POMPEII?

Pompeii is an Ancient Roman city in Italy, in August 24th, 79 A.D the eruption of Vesuvius, located on the Bay of Naples, Italy, caught the local population unprepared.

This volcano is hundreds of thousands years old and has erupted more than 50 times in the past 2,000 years. The eruption in 79 A.D buried the ancient Roman city of Pompeii under a thick layer of volcanic ash which is estimated it was 16 ft deep. It is believed that the eruption measured 12 miles high and it the ash was 1300°. 

The eruption lasted approximately 24 hours and the devastation covered more than 200 squared miles. About a third of the city remains buried.

Two thousands people died, the city was abandoned until a group of explorers rediscovered the site in 1748. Many people say that the excavation of Pompeii played a major role in the neo-Classical revival of the 18th century. Today, the excavation of Pompeii has been going on for almost three centuries.

Two thousands people died, the city was abandoned until a group of explorers rediscovered the site in 1748. Many people say that the excavation of Pompeii played a major role in the neo-Classical revival of the 18th century. Today, the excavation of Pompeii has been going on for almost three centuries.

The following video explains briefly what happened to Pompeii
Deconstructing History: Pompeii

FROM KATIE'S BLOG: I REALLY LIKED THE PICTURES SHE INCLUDED, AND I FOUND VERY INTERESTING THE PART THAT POMPEII HAD INFLUENCE IN DESIGN IN THE 18TH CENTURY.
FROM KATRINA'S BLOG: FROM HER BLOG I LEARNED THAT POMPEII WAS REDISCOVERED BY ROCQUE JOAQUIN DE ALCUBIERRE, IN 1748.

BYZANTINE

The three major Byzantine cities were: Constantinople, Venice and Ravenna. The Byzantine empire officially adopted Christianity around 280-337 C.E. One of the most important icons of this civilization is the famous mosaic "Empress Theodora and Her Attendants, in San Vitale. This mosaic shows Christ receiving a model of the church.

Furniture in this era was inspired by the Roman forms, except is more complex and it has adapted to this culture over time. The "X frame stool" is still very present and hasn't really changed a whole lot. Beds continued as well.

One of the most iconic pieces of furniture from this civilization was the chest; which included strong hinges and a lock to prevent from thieves.

Another very important piece of furniture was the "Throne of Maximian" which incorporated pieces of ivory carvings.

Because of the climate in that region, a few examples survived now a day but it is likely that there were many different wooden pieces from this era.

Other important pieces of furniture from the Byzantine period are medieval stools. One of the most iconic is the three-legged stool, it contains an integral handle which indicated that this stool was picked up and carried around. The handle was carved into the wood which relies on the strength of the material it was made.

The Vikings

The Vikings were migratory people and hunters of the seas. In 830's the Vikings started raids that involved their wintering in the lands they attacked, they were skilled in many aspects and tasks such as carpentry, wood carving, precise cutting, joints and complicated geometry. The expertise of working with wood was the reason they were famous for the boats they built.

CURRENT

Byzantine Fresco Chapel

Byzantine design Inspired

Modern Abstract Rug, Byzantine inspired by Landry & Arcary


Hagia Sophia Church, Sophia Bulgaria

FROM JESSICA'S BLOG: I LIKED THE DIFFERENT EXAMPLES SHE INCLUDED AND THE INFORMATION REGARDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CHURCHES. ONE OF THE MAIN POINTS SHE FOCUSED ON WAS THE TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN WHICH WAS THE PENDENTIVE CONSTRUCTION.
FROM JUSTINE'S BLOG: WHAT I LEARNED AFTER SEEING HER BLOG WAS THAT THIS CIVILIZATION WAS ONE OF THE LONGEST CIVILIZATIONS WE STUDIED, ALSO SHE MENTIONED HOW THE BYZANTINE CIVILIZATION WAS INFLUENCED BY GREEKS AND THE ORIENT.