Mission furniture is known for its superior craftsmanship and robust construction. Developed in the late 19th century as part of the Arts and Crafts movement, the appeal of this classic style has endured for over a century.
One of the highlights of mission furniture is something that’s not always apparent at first glance: the joinery techniques used in its construction. Rather than the cheap, slapped-together joints found in most mass-produced furniture, mission furniture takes advantage of the strength and durability of traditional joinery, ensuring it stands the test of time.
In this blog post, we’ll explore five types of wood joinery techniques commonly used in mission furniture, helping you gain a greater appreciation of the craftsmanship that goes into making these heirloom-quality pieces.
1. Butt Joints
The butt joint is the simplest example of wood joinery. It connects two pieces of wood edge-to-edge, typically either at a 90-degree or 180-degree angle. The connection is secured using nails, screws, or dowels.
Dowels are the most aesthetically pleasing, as they are not visible from the outside. To achieve this joint, craftsmen drill equal-sized holes into the sides facing each other, then insert a small dowel into both holes and glue the wood together for extra security.
While they get the job done, butt joints are not the strongest type of joinery, so they’re best used in areas that don’t see a lot of stress.
2. Corbel Brackets
Corbel brackets are a signature of mission-style furniture. They’re triangular brackets that strengthen the area where a horizontal surface meets a vertical surface — for example, you may find a corbel bracket on the leg of a table supporting the tabletop.
Protruding horizontal surfaces (like tabletops) lack support at their outermost edges. Corbel brackets are designed to redirect and redistribute that weight to the strongest parts of the piece, lending structural support and stability.
Not only do corbel brackets improve the longevity of a piece of furniture, but they also contribute to the unique aesthetics of the mission style. They’re an excellent example of form meeting function, adding visual interest while maintaining a clean, simple aesthetic.
3. Dovetail Joinery
Dovetail joinery is both elegant and strong, making it a hallmark of mission craftsmanship. Its interlocking trapezoidal shapes look similar to a bird’s tail, giving it its name. One piece of wood has angled tails, while the other has corresponding pins. When the two sides are fit together, they create a lock that’s almost impossible to separate.
In fact, dovetail joinery is even stronger under pressure, making it ideal for joints that experience frequent stress and movement, such as those in drawer construction. The joints’ tensile strength and resistance against pulling force ensures that the drawer cannot be pulled apart, even with heavy items inside.
Dovetail joinery doesn’t require mechanical fasteners like screws or nails, making it an aesthetically pleasing option. In fact, these joints often become a highly desirable decorative feature, showcasing the quality wood and expert craftsmanship that went into creating the piece.
4. Box Joint
The box joint, also known as the finger joint, features a row of rectangular projections (fingers) and corresponding cutouts that, when put together, interlock similarly to dovetail joinery. While it lacks some of the strength of dovetail joinery, the box joint is still incredibly sturdy.
Box joints are a great option for storage or load-bearing furniture, as the interlocking fingers provide plenty of surface area for gluing. They’re frequently used in boxes or drawer construction, providing an attractive blend of aesthetics and functionality.
5. Mortise and Tenon
As one of the most respected forms of joinery, the mortise and tenon joint is known for its simplicity and effectiveness. It has become a staple in crafting tables, chairs, and frames. There are many variations on this joint, including doweled, blind, and keyed. In all of them, the tenon — a protrusion formed on the end of one piece of wood — fits into the mortise, which is a hole cut into the other piece.
The tight fit between the two pieces maximizes the joint’s strength and stability. It’s able to withstand tension and compression by distributing weight and stress evenly across a wide area, making mortise and tenon joints ideal for heavy-duty applications.
Quality Craftsmanship at Sugar House Furniture
At Sugar House Furniture, we pride ourselves on bringing you outstanding mission furniture that will last for years to come. All of our pieces are made with expert craftsmanship, and everything from the joinery to the finishes is of the highest quality. Stop by our store today and see for yourself!
