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Drawing

ca.1738-ca.1776 (designed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Thomas Chippendale was a fashionable designer and cabinet-maker in the eighteenth-century, providing furniture to such famous contemporary figures as David Garrick. His company produced high-quality furniture, including some key masterpieces, but Chippendale's outstanding skill was in design. His pattern-book The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director went through three editions in the 1750s and 60s and inspired trade catalogues and pattern-books from fellow designers. Usually produced by architects, a large, elegant pattern-book was an ambitious project for a craftsman at this time. The Director showed the full range of furniture available in the eighteenth century, and the range of styles that were fashionable. Chippendale created a trademark fusion of rococo style with Chinese and gothic elements, which was the basis of 'English' rococo. His style influenced furniture design in contemporary Europe and colonial America, and had a marked Victorian revival in England. The Director designs were the main source for Chippendale's high reputation until his furniture was first identified in 1906.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Pen and ink and wash on paper
Brief description
Two designs for a console table and commode in pen, ink and wash on paper, Chippendale.
Physical description
Designs for a console table and a commode. The table is above with four front legs, only the left two drawn in; these in fluted neo-classical style with a flower motif at the top. The commode is below in simple rococo style with serpentine front; four tiers of drawers each divided into three, with a large central drawer and two smaller either side; each drawer with an escutcheon and a loop handle. Simple rococo ornament to the front corner trusses.
Dimensions
  • Height: 263mm
  • Width: 190mm
Styles
Production typeDesign
Marks and inscriptions
  • Fm base 32 / projects 3 ½ / pier 6" 0" (Measurements in pencil to left of table)
  • Fm base 39 / projects [49] / pier 6" 9", "5 (Measurements in pencil to left of commode)
  • "5" 6 or [?] (Measurements in pencil to table top)
Object history
Historical significance: This design sheet usefully shows Chippendale beginning to move from his early rococo style to his later neo-classical style.
Subjects depicted
Summary
Thomas Chippendale was a fashionable designer and cabinet-maker in the eighteenth-century, providing furniture to such famous contemporary figures as David Garrick. His company produced high-quality furniture, including some key masterpieces, but Chippendale's outstanding skill was in design. His pattern-book The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director went through three editions in the 1750s and 60s and inspired trade catalogues and pattern-books from fellow designers. Usually produced by architects, a large, elegant pattern-book was an ambitious project for a craftsman at this time. The Director showed the full range of furniture available in the eighteenth century, and the range of styles that were fashionable. Chippendale created a trademark fusion of rococo style with Chinese and gothic elements, which was the basis of 'English' rococo. His style influenced furniture design in contemporary Europe and colonial America, and had a marked Victorian revival in England. The Director designs were the main source for Chippendale's high reputation until his furniture was first identified in 1906.
Collection
Accession number
D.719-1906

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Record createdJune 30, 2009
Record URL
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