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How was linenfold decoration used on medieval furniture?

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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.

Linenfold, also known as parchment, is a decorative motif used on medieval furniture that resembles folded sheets of linen or scrolls laid across the surface of the wood. It emerged as a popular form of flat ornament during the 15th century and was widely utilized throughout northern France, Flanders, the Low Countries, Germany, Scandinavia, and England.123

In the context of medieval furniture, linenfold was primarily used to decorate panelling. As panelled construction became a standard method for building large surface areas—such as the fronts of chests, cupboards, and dressoirs—craftsmen applied this carving to the panels to add aesthetic detail. It was also frequently featured on the backs, arms, and bases of box chairs, which were a heavier development of the chest.2

While the motif was common, the quality of the carving varied by region; the linenfold found in France, the Low Countries, and Germany is noted for having sharper definition and greater delicacy than examples typically found in England. Like much of the furniture from this period, pieces decorated with linenfold were often painted or gilded.2