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The Jacobean era refers to a period in English and Scottish history which coincides with the reign of King James I (1603-1625), succeeding the Elizabethan era and preceding the Caroline era. The name denotes a style of architecture, visual arts, decorative arts and literature predominant in that period, and the word Jacobean is derived from the Hebrew name Jacob, the original form of the English name James. In fabrics, Jacobean prints are a type of English embroidery with a strong oriental influence, of the type first done during the Restoration period: common motifs are branches, ornamented in color with fruits and flowers and birds, and Jacobean designs are found most frequently as upholstery fabrics.
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James I ruled at a time when the fallout from the Reformation was still impacting on society, with rulers changing from one church to another, and insisting on religious conformity. James I was caught up in this situation of flux. He was, however, a committed Protestant and the Bible translation that he commissioned, known as the King James' or the Authorized Version, has subsequently given millions of English-speakers direct access to the Bible instead of having to rely on a priest explaining the text to them in Latin. The impact on Western culture has been inestimable.
The word "Jacobean" is derived from the Hebrew name Jacob, which is the original form of the English name James.
Regal Fabrics, defines Jacobean prints as �a type of English embroidery with a strong oriental influence�of the type first done during the Restoration period. Common motifs are branches, ornamented in color with fruits and flowers and birds. Jacobean designs are found most frequently as upholstery fabrics.�
Yahoo Education delves further into the description of Jacobean design by defining it as �an early phase of English Renaissance architecture and decoration. It formed a transition between the Elizabethan and the pure Renaissance style later introduced by Inigo Jones. Although the general lines of Elizabethan design remained, there was a more consistent and unified application of formal design, both in plan and elevation (in terms of architecture). Much use was made of columns and pilasters, round-arch arcades, and flat roofs with openwork parapets. These and other classical elements appeared in a free and fanciful vernacular rather than with any true classical purity. Along with them were the prismatic rustications and ornamental detail of scrolls, straps, and lozenges, which are also characteristic of Elizabethan design. The style influenced furniture design and other decorative arts. Jacobean buildings of note are Hatfield House, Hertford; Knole House, Kent; and Holland House by John Thorpe.�
Written for Apparel Search by Regina Cooper February 2010
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Jacobean design is an early phase of English Renaissance architecture and decoration, a transition between the Elizabethan style and the pure Renaissance style later introduced by Inigo Jones. The general lines of Elizabethan design remained, but with a more consistent and unified application of formal design in both plan and elevation. Much use was made of columns and pilasters, round-arch arcades, and flat roofs with openwork parapets, and these classical elements appeared in a free and fanciful vernacular rather than with any true classical purity. Alongside them sat the prismatic rustications and ornamental detail of scrolls, straps and lozenges that are also characteristic of Elizabethan design. The style influenced furniture design and the other decorative arts, and notable Jacobean buildings include Hatfield House in Hertfordshire, Knole House in Kent, and Holland House by John Thorpe.
For fabric buyers, the practical marker of Jacobean design is the motif vocabulary: scrolling branches carrying oversized fruits, flowers and birds, worked in color with an oriental influence. Because the designs are dense and decorative, they have long suited upholstery fabrics, where a large repeat can cover a chair or curtain without looking sparse. The same vocabulary appears in embroidery, which is why the term covers both printed designs in the Jacobean manner and embroidered work in the Jacobean style.
James I ruled while the fallout from the Reformation was still impacting society, with rulers changing from one church to another and insisting on religious conformity. He was a committed Protestant, and the Bible translation he commissioned — the King James or Authorized Version — gave millions of English speakers direct access to the Bible instead of relying on a priest explaining the text in Latin, an impact on Western culture that has been inestimable.
The period in English and Scottish history coinciding with the reign of King James I (1603-1625). It succeeds the Elizabethan era and precedes the Caroline era, and the name specifically denotes a style of architecture, visual arts, decorative arts and literature predominant in that period.
A type of English embroidery with a strong oriental influence, of the type first done during the Restoration period. Common motifs are branches ornamented in color with fruits and flowers and birds, and Jacobean designs are found most frequently as upholstery fabrics.
From the Hebrew name Jacob, which is the original form of the English name James — a reference to King James I, whose reign defines the era and who commissioned the Bible translation known as the King James or Authorized Version.