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Chippendale Styles

The Chippendale style heavily influenced furniture design from 1750 to 1770. "The Antiques Almanac" credits Chippendale as one of the most famous furniture styles in the world. Named after English furniture maker Thomas Chippendale, the designs have English, French and Chinese influences. Sometimes referred to as Rococo, Chippendale style is defined by elaborate carvings, well-proportioned structure and elegant details reflective of the wealthy households for which it was made.
  1. Chippendale Chairs

    • Chippendale chairs had one of six different styles of legs: lion's paw, late Chippendale, ball and claw, club, Marlborough and spade. They featured intricately carved backs in different patterns, such as flowers or bows. Designs had similarities to Queen Anne or Georgian furniture with kidney-shaped seats and carved cabriole legs. Chairs were caned, upholstered or wood. If the backs weren't carved, they were rail, ladder, rung or upholstered backs.

    Chippendale Chests

    • Chests of drawers were popular during the William and Mary period, 1690 to 1725, but fell out of popularity during Queen Anne. They were revived in Chippendale furniture, often as highboys with curved fronts. Decorated with carved shells, and tendrils in the upper and lower halves, highboys were often made of mahogany in a set with a matching lowboy.

    Chippendale Tables

    • Chippendale tables came in every size and shape. Small side tables were elaborately carved with lion's paw feet. Tripod tables made around 1755 to 1760 sometimes featured the dolphin head leg, a unique design with the dolphin's tail carved up the leg. Dining tables had two center pieces and a wide flap on either side to offer additional surface area for guests as needed. Later Chippendale tables had straight legs.

    Chinese Chippendale

    • Also referred to as Chinoserie, Chinese Chippendale style was popular for bedrooms. Oblong tables featured Chinese Chippendale-style carving with the strength to support marble tops. Upholstery on chairs and sofas featured Oriental motifs on satins, plush or velour. Compared with other Chippendale styles, these designs had straighter lines, like the carved ladder back and fretwork.