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 |
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Styles | |
Production type | Design |
Marks and inscriptions |
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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 created | June 30, 2009 |
Record URL |
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