influenced by Byzantine traditions. During the
thirteenth and fourteenth centuries mediaeval art in
Europe reached its greatest perfection. Classic tra-
ditions were forgotten everywhere save in Rome it-
self;, and the feeling in wood and other materials was
in unison with the pointed architecture. Examples of
this mediaeval work are still to be seen in churches.
the workers in wood, and the renaissance which now
set in really forms the beginning of modern furniture.
The renaissance found Italj' in the possession of well-
skilled and carefully-trained artists, and there was no
difficulty in finding distinguished names with whole
schools of enthusiastic admirers behind them, who
readily formed their style on the old classic models.
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DUTCH GUILD CABINET.
though beds, chairs, chests, etc., are rare. A some- what late example of this latter class of work is seen in the oak credence No. 232, which is really the chest of earlier times placed on legs, and which, developed, has given us the sideboard of to-day. The return of the arts in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries to the old classical types carried with them the exertions of and the best artists of the day did not hesitate to give their minds to the making of furniture and wood-work in various materials, and employed every kind of accomplishment in beautifying them. Many materials were employed by the renaissance artists. Wood first, and pi-incipally in making fur- niture, but decorated with gildings and paintings,
