What period of time does early Canadiana come from?

Early Canadiana refers to collectibles from a large period of time between the late 17th century and the early 20th century. During this time, settlers arrived in Canada from Britain, France, and other European countries.

Did the settlers bring their furniture here, or build it when they got here?

   A small amount of furniture came to both French and English Canada, but most of the immigrants brought only their traditions and ingenuity, which they used to create new expressions of Old World furniture. Why did early settlers in Canada use pine to build furniture? Those who belonged to a lower economic tier were not able to afford furniture made from mahogany and maple. The furniture found in modest cottages, farm homes, log houses and shanties was almost always pine, either stained or painted. The idea was to provide comfort at the smallest cost. Pine furniture served the needs of a wide range of the population, from shantymen and farmers to the more ubanized settlers who had some degree of literacy.

Did early cabinetmakers simply copy Old World furniture?

Almost no design manuals or cabinetmakers' drawings exist for early Canadian furniture. Canadian furniture retained some of the comforting elements of an older and more familiar world. At the same time it exhibits some of the practicality and creativity of the makers as they adapted to new circumstances. The most important early influences on style were British, French, and later, German.

Is early Canadian a "style" of furniture? Although early Canadian furniture was eloquent in its expression, the range in style from East to West and from one cultural community to another was vast. The only real common denominator was the influence of Old World practices and expertise.



More information about Upper Canada furniture is available in our
furniture feature section

Links to More Info

The Furniture and Furnishings Gallery of the Canadian Museum of Civilization

Browse through pictures and descriptions of early Canadian furniture. Many of the pieces in this collection are similar in period and style to the originals that Lattimor House reproductions were copied from.

Go to The Furniture and Furnishings Gallery

Canada Hall

   This is a virtual museum that allows you to ?walk through? a typical Upper Canada settlement. As you explore this museum, you'll see many examples of heritage Canadian furniture.

Go to Canada Hall

Books (check them out at your local library)

The Canadian Old House Catalogue, by John Hearn. Published by Van Nostrand Reinhold Ltd, 1980
All About Ontario Cupboards, by Elizabeth Ingolfsrud. Published by The House of Grant (Canada) Ltd., 1978
Mennonite Furniture: The Ontario Tradition in York County, by Lynda Musson Nykor and Patricia D. Musson. Published by James Lorimer & Company, 1997
The Heritage of Upper Canada Furniture, by Howard Pain. Published by Van Nostrand Reinhold Ltd, 1978
This book is one of the standards on Upper Canada heritage furniture. Excellent.
The Furniture of Old Ontario, by Philip Shackleton. Published by The Macmillan Company of Canada Limited, 1973