Furniture History Trivia Quiz!

Windsor style chairs originated in England.

Sack back, fan back, and continuous arm are all styles of Windsor chairs. Windsor chairs are a type of wooden chair characterized by their spindle back and solid wooden seat. The sack back style features a rounded, curved backrest, while the fan back style has a backrest that fans outwards. The continuous arm style has arms that are made from one continuous piece of wood that loops around the backrest. These different styles of Windsor chairs showcase the variety and craftsmanship of this traditional chair design.

A 600-year-old juniper tree can produce sound timber because as a tree ages, its wood becomes denser and stronger. This means that the timber harvested from an older juniper tree would be of higher quality and more suitable for construction purposes. Additionally, juniper trees are known for their durability and resistance to decay, further enhancing the quality of the timber they produce. Therefore, it is true that a 600-year-old juniper tree can produce sound timber.

Henry Phillips is credited with inventing the crosshead screw design. This design, also known as the Phillips screw, features a cross-shaped recess in the head that allows for better torque and reduced slippage during tightening or loosening. The Phillips screw has become widely used in various industries and is known for its ease of use and efficiency.

Yew is the traditional wood used for making longbow medieval weapons. Yew wood possesses the necessary qualities of strength, flexibility, and durability required for crafting effective longbows. Its natural properties allow for the creation of a powerful weapon that can shoot arrows with great speed and accuracy. Additionally, yew wood has a unique ability to store and release energy efficiently, making it an ideal choice for constructing longbows.

A spokeshave is a tool that was originally used for shaping wheel spokes. It is a small hand tool with a flat or convex blade that is used to shape and smooth wooden spokes, typically for wheels. The curved shape of the blade allows for precise shaping and smoothing of the spokes, ensuring a proper fit and function for the wheel. While a spokeshave can be used for other woodworking tasks such as turning dowels or shaving edges of planed boards, its original and primary purpose was for shaping wheel spokes.

The correct answer is "Chestnut." This is because the phrase "Under the spreading chestnut tree, the village smithy stands..." is a line from the poem "The Village Blacksmith" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The poem describes the setting of a village blacksmith's shop, and the use of "chestnut" suggests a picturesque and idyllic scene.

Acadian is not a style of furniture. The Federal, Rococo, and Shaker styles are well-known and recognized styles of furniture, each with their own distinct characteristics and design elements. However, Acadian is not commonly known as a style of furniture. It is more commonly associated with the Acadian culture and history, particularly in the Canadian Maritimes and Louisiana.

Juglone is the correct answer because it is a toxic substance produced by black walnuts that inhibits the growth and development of other nearby plants. This chemical is released by the roots, leaves, and nut hulls of black walnut trees, and it acts as a natural herbicide, preventing the growth of many plant species. This allows black walnut trees to have a competitive advantage in their environment by reducing competition for resources.

Charles Eastlake's famous design book was titled "Hints on Household Taste". This title suggests that the book provides advice and guidance on how to improve the aesthetic appeal of furniture and overall home decor. It implies that the book offers insights and tips on how to enhance the taste and style of one's household.