by Betty Carew

Created on: June 18, 2009   Last Updated: June 28, 2009

When Thomas Chippendale published his first book on Gentleman and Cabinet-Makers Director he didn't know that his book and his furniture would be copied far into the future. His mahogany wood reflected elements of the Rococo, Chinese, Gothic and Neoclassic styles that we have become so familiar with today. The deep hand carved motifs of shells, lions, masques, eggs, darts and scrolls all became a part of this elite furniture. We are very fortunate that he left a guide to Chippendale furniture and if we are very lucky we may even see an original in our lifetime.

Chippendale and Chippendale style

If an item was made by Thomas Chippendale it is called a Chippendale, any furniture that incorporates the Thomas Chippendale features and is made by modern companies is called a Chippendale style. In America Chippendale is referred to any Chippendale style that is pieces of furniture which is made in the United States usually in Philadelphia. For those that make Chippendale style furniture their choice of wood is mahogany as was Thomas'. For Thomas Chippendale it had to be solid not veneers this was due to the deep cravings that had to be done.

Chippendale legs

When Thomas made Chippendale furniture he used six different basic styles such as the lion's paw, ball and claw, the late Chippendale, the Marlborough and the club and spade. His earlier furniture included the cabriole leg which was a serpent that ended in a lion's paw, ball and claw or the club. The late Chippendale, Marlborough and spade were straight legs and came in a later period. There was also a variety of style such as wood, upholstery or caned.

Chippendale's chair back choices

The backs of Chippendale chairs were diverse and came in upholstered, rail backs, ladder backs, rung backs, splat backs, carved backs and Ribband backs. Starting with the Early Georgian Period, Thomas adapted them by simplifying their lines. He incorporated grace and charm into every one of them and this probably won him his greatest acclaim that makes his name endure. The backs of Chippendale's chairs are their most identifying parts of Chippendale style. The Ribband backs are carved to look like a bow but this type of chair was not very plentiful in the 18th century due to the amount of time it took to carve them. Very few of them passed the 18th century and the ones you see today are Chippendale style that was made in the 19th and 20th century.

Clues to buying Chippendale

When you're buying Chippendale you want to pay

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