A Chippendale seat commands respect as an expression of refinement and exquisite craftsmanship which has stood the test of time. The Chippendale style emerged after Thomas Chippendale published the first furniture catalogue,”The Gentleman and Cabinet Maker’s Director,” in 1754, which featured 160 engraved illustrations of trendy furniture layouts. Eventually, the term”Chippendale” turned into a shorthand description of any furniture similar to his exemplified designs.The backs of Chippendale chairs display three distinctive layout influences which were admired in the late 18th century.
Chippendale’s Influence Grows
Chippendale’s book was well-received by the general public and his London furniture company grew fast. Cabinet-makers in Britain, Europe and the United States copyed the layouts at a time when fine woodworking was taking control of the household providing market. Because of its reception, new editions of the catalogue were printed in 1762 and 1755 with plates. The Chippendale style became a furniture classic. The layouts replicated and continue to be admired, today.
Chippendale Chair Characteristics
The distinctive appearance of a Chippendale chair back is the quickest way. Chippendale styles fall into three categories: Chinese, Rococo and Gothic. Chippendale adapted design elements of all these three styles to create original approach and his very own harmonious to seat design. One feature consistent in all three is that the flow of the back legs up to form the contour of the backrest of the seat. All chairs have a appearance with seats that are broad. Chippendale shapes fall into three categories. Ladder backs have equally spaced flat slats, straight or curved. Backs have decorative or fretwork carving of strips of wood. Pierced splat backs have a carved center splat attached at the top and bottom. Mahogany was the wood in Chippendale’s store because it enabled for detailed carving. The end was crimson or red.
Gothic Chair Backs
Gothic Chippendale seat backs contain pointed Gothic arches and ogee curves in the center splat that is pierced. The seat back is wider at the top than at the base, and the seat rail curves in a shallow”S” toward the center from every side. The ends of the seat rail frequently flare slightly into little”ears”
Rococo Chair Backs
Chippendale adapted the French Rococo style to more conservative English preferences in a way that was described at the time as”modern” His design is that the ribbonbacked seat with the back rail shaped just like a splat comprising interlacing ribbons that are forged and a cupid’s bow. Many variations of the so-called British followed, piercing of the center splat and characterized by delicate carving.
Chinese Chair Backs
Chippendale adapted design elements that were trendy into seat backs which featured cutouts and shapes on the seat rails, together with fretwork patterns forming the backs. Chair rails were always more simple and straight than the models. These chairs were japanned or coated with lacquer to match into chambers decorated in a Chinese style.