How did cabinetmaking differ from the earlier work of carpenters and joiners?

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Mahogany card table — Furniture Card table, mahogany (primary wood) with original gold patina and gold stenciling, maker unknown, c. 1828; in the Indianapolis Museum of Art. 70.48 × 91.74 × 91.44 cm.

Historically, carpenters and joiners were generalists who produced furniture alongside all other forms of building construction in wood. The emergence of the cabinetmaker as a specialized profession was driven by increased market demand and significant technical advancements, most notably the introduction of veneering.1

The primary differences between these trades include:

Construction Methods: Traditional joinery relied on a framework of rails and stiles connected by mortise and tenon joints, with panels held in grooves. Cabinetmaking introduced a system where plain, flat surfaces were dovetailed together and then veneered.1
Aesthetic Focus: While joiners relied on framing, moldings, and carving for decoration, cabinetmakers utilized the decorative grain of woods like walnut. This allowed for the use of visually attractive wood sections—such as burrs and curls—that were unsuitable for solid construction.1
Division of Labour: Cabinetmaking fostered greater specialization. While a joiner might handle most aspects of a piece, cabinetmaking involved distinct specialists for tasks like marquetry, turnery, carving, and upholstery.1