RENAISSANCE

This style appeared in the late 17th to 18th centuries and was based on nature, rather than the emphasis on the church that characterized much of the previous art work.  It was very stylized and symmetrical and usually comprised washes of colour with a dark outline.  Backgrounds were sometimes stained or left raw, and motifs were either stenciled or painted onto the wood before decorating with stroke work.  The colour palette was limited mainly to primary colours, green, black and white, due to the unavailability of pigments.  Faux wood inlay became popular during this period as a way to decorate furniture cheaply and quickly.