Illustrated History of Furniture, fifth ed

Illustrated History of Furniture runs from the earliest to the present time and is by Frederick Litchfield. The preface says the author has placed before the reader an account of the changes in the design of Decorative Furniture and Woodwork, from the earliest period of which we have any reliable or certain record until the present time.

The author describes the bedstead of King Theebaw, brought from Mandalay, as an example of a mixture of glass and wood that can be made extremely effective. The author says that when little pieces of looking glass are introduced into the small geometrical patterns of the panels, they form, joined together, a very rich ceiling. The author says that, as different authorities state, Colbert purchased the factory from the Gobelin family and reorganised the establishment as the Royal Upholstery Works. The author says that since 1697 the manufacture of tapestry only has been carried on, and the product of these celebrated looms has become known as Gobelins tapestry.