18th Century Chippendale Furniture

Thomas Chippendale

• Chippendale was born in June 1718 in Otley, Yorkshire, in Britain. He is best known for his book "The Gentleman and Cabinet Maker's Director," which was the first example of the publication of a catalog for self-promotion. Up to this point, craftsmen's designs were known only to the very small audience of their customers, but Chippendale's book gave him a national presence. Clients could order furniture from the book using the illustrations as guidance or design their own furniture piecemeal. Chippendale died in 1776, leaving the business to his son, also named Thomas.

The Director

• Published in 1754, "The Gentleman and Cabinet Makers' Director" was the first volume of its kind, modeled on the lavish publications produced by architects. There were three editions of the work, with most copies dedicated to famous patrons such as the Earl of Northumberland and H.R.H. Prince William Henry. The book contained a complete library of Chippendale's designs and was copied by other cabinetmakers. The book served its purpose as a piece of self-promotion, as all known examples of Chippendale's work date from after its publication.

Furniture Styles

• Chippendale was influenced by rococo and Gothic styles, and he produced some Chinese lacquered pieces. Many Chippendale designs have cabriolet legs and claw-and-ball feet, and are made from mahogany, walnut or cherry wood. Rococo style developed in France as an antidote to the heavier and more ornate baroque style, and it uses a lot of natural motifs such as shells, waves and foliage carved into the arms of chairs and legs of armoires and tables. Gothic-style furniture is simpler and often decorated with stylized foliage motifs such as roses.

Harewood House

• Harewood House in Yorkshire, home to the Earl of Harewood, is home to one of the finest collections of Chippendale furniture in the world. Built in the late 18th century, Chippendale was commissioned to make the furniture especially for the new house. The collection is especially important because all the furniture is authenticated to Chippendale through records and accounts. Because his designs were extensively copied by other makers, authentication often is difficult without these records. One of the best known pieces of furniture is the State Bed, intended for use by visiting royalty.