Styles in furniture - Chippendale

I wrote at one point about a style of interior design that is also found in furniture - shabby chic. The interest in this article, as well as questions about other styles, convinced me to start a series about styles in furniture. I'll start with Chippendale, a reference style of antique furniture.

Thomas Chippendale, first designer furniture

Chippendale is a mixture of styles present in England and the American colonies in the second half of the 18th century. The name comes from Thomas Chippendale, a furniture maker who published in 1754, 1755 and 1762 a book of furniture designs called "The Gentlemen and Cabinet-Maker's Directory", the first of its kind and which enjoyed great interest. Through the drawings it presented, the book gave furniture makers a direction as to style, and the designs featured in the book were quickly copied.

Characteristics of the style

In style, Chippendale has ancient, Roman, Gothic and Chinese influences. Characteristic elements of the style are Gothic arches, Chinese openwork lacework, columns, capitals, C- or S-shaped scrolls, ribbons, flowers, flowers, leaves, shells and acanthus leaves.

The wood most used is mahogany and nucbut you can also find objects made from maple and cherry. The legs of chairs and tables are thinner and more delicate compared to earlier styles. The legs rest on simple legs or on legs that hold a ball in their claws.

The three directions of style development

The style developed in 3 main directions: Gothic, Rococo and Chinese. Chippendale is basically a harmonious blend of all the elements present in the 3 styles. Each of the 3 directions has its defining elements that characterize it.

Chippendale Gothic is characterized by the S-shaped arches and ogees found on the backs of chairs, fronts and frames of the glazed parts of bookcases and cupboards.

Chippendale Rococo developed as a reaction to the massiveness of the Baroque style in the first half of the 18th century. It originally appeared in France and was very precious and busy but Chippendale tempered the style. Characteristic of the style are the chairs with their wide seats and Cupid's bow-shaped backs, ribbons, frames and console-type side tables with curved gilt lines.

Chinese Chippendale is influenced by Chinese culture. It is recognizable by the openwork wood embroidery on the window frames of the wardrobes, on the poles and shelves, and by the pagoda-shaped fronts of the wardrobes.

Collectors can still find original pieces produced by Chippendale in his factory, as well as many copies of the book's designs, made by furniture makers of the same period.

You might also be interested to read about styles Art Nouveau, Rococo, Neogotic, Baroque or Biedermeier.