Why is there dark and light areas in the oak of this 17th century chair?

Hello

I live in England and I've had this chair for a while now. Please see the images below thanks. Just wondering out of curiosity and to learn more about very old antiques, especially oak.

 

Looks like it was darkened and it rubbed off by wear in some parts. Maybe darkened to look like ebony, which was rare and expensive in Europe at the time.

 

Interesting theory. Could very well be. I've also asked my seller that I got it from, lets see what they say

 

Without seeing the whole piece of furniture it’s difficult to say but some very old chair and table legs are darkened just from age and accumulated dirt. Examples can be seen in most traditional pubs in the UK!

 

This is the answer I got from my seller;

"The simple answer is that this is what is described as patina. Whilst there are some suggestions that early oak was stained and this was probably true as oak is a light timber and 17th and 18th century life was a far dirtier time with hard floors, lighting from naked flames and open fires so a light coloured wood would quickly darken. Over time dirt accumulates on the polished finish and becomes part of it. In certain areas such as prominent edges or turnings wear from use caused by fabrics and oily human skin rubbing against the timber will clean away the surface bringing out the natural gold colour of oak. Other causes of blackening as seen on the base of legs and the semi circle on the seat is water damage that soaks into the wood and causes a reaction with the natural tannins in the wood. The grain itself will affect the build up of patina or stain with the softer heart wood between the grain more likely to absorb them than the harder grain".

 

Very true. I think that is a definite contribution

 

to my eye some of that wear looks artificial..

 

I really hope not. It may just look like that from how it might have been handled in the past

 

Any update on your chair?
Is this dark patina found only on the bottom? or is it all over?

 

Found all over, as I expect

 

Early oak does tend to oxidise to a dark colour but it was also customary to fume with ammonia to turn timber black. The accepted finish to timber was a mixture of mutton fat and pig's bile applied to furniture . think mutton fat was rendered down first. It was quite normal ,in response to your question regarding lighter patches for the high spots to wear to a lighter colour.. ref Oak Furniture, a British Tradition by Victor Chinery.