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MemphisTraditional French, Chinese & English Forms Merge In This Decorative & Sophisticated Style
Chippendale furniture design, a style closely associated with Queen Anne forms, was an offshoot of the Rococo style that gained widespread use in the 18th century. Known for its elaborate take on this Rococo style, Chippendale is named for Thomas Chippendale, who published The Gentleman and Cabinet Maker's Director in 1754. Currently many antique furniture experts have a difficult time separating Chippendale from Queen Anne or Rococo styles, since all three carry similar elements, including cabriole legs and French-inspired decorations.
Thomas Chippendale (1718-1779) was a journeyman cabinet maker and interior designer based in London. Chippendale designed not only furniture but whole rooms for English and Scottish dukes, lords and earls. It's well known that Chippendale loved solid wood (mahogany was his favorite) and avoided veneers, which were popular at the time. His style noticed a resurgence in the mid to late 19th century, with many "revival" styles using his name.
The original Chippendale style flourished in Europe for decades before catching on in the New World. Americans toned down many of the more extravagant aspects but adopted many elements that were already out of style in Europe such as claw-and-ball feet. The book Chippendale published merged four main design styles that came to be defined as Chippendale Style: traditional English furniture with deep carvings; richly decorated French Rococo furniture similar to pieces possessed by French kings; classic Chinese design
s and motifs with beautiful lattice work and rich lacquers; heavy Gothic styles with quatrefoils, pointed arches and fretwork legs.
Some of the motifs adopted by Chippendale include intricate fretwork, scrolled feet and scrolled armrests as well as cabriole and straight-sided (Marlborough) legs. As mentioned before, mahogany was typically used, but walnut, cherry and maple found their way into Chippendale pieces.
Chairs carried detailed pierced slats and yoke-shaped top rails with intricate carvings found throughout each piece, from the typical turned-up ears down to the claw-and-ball feet. The backs featured stiles carved in foliate patterns, ladder backs with scrolled horizontal slats and other new takes on classic furniture.
Pieces designed for seating, such as side chairs and sofas, held strong, curved lines and extravagant upholstery. With his tables Chippendale explored new shapes, sizes and carvings that had previously been unseen or disregarded, such as the drop-leaf Pembroke table.
Most modern furniture experts can identify the region in America where a Chippendale piece originated. By the end of 18th century regional preferences had emerged. Newport, Rhode Island cabinetmakers are regarded as conservative designers offering classical shapes and outlines, utilizing fluted legs and columns, while cabinetmakers in Philadelphia used extrava
gant carvings to finish their pieces, heavily copying the Rococo style. Regardless of the region, whether it was the solid and straight Chippendale pieces that emerged from Charleston, South Carolina, or one of the northern cities mentioned previously, American Chippendale furniture carried potent and sophisticated style.
This design strength has carried Chippendale elements into current design trends in everything from Outdoor Patio Furniture to Bar Stools. Most homes have furniture that holds designs and motifs influenced by Chippendale. Does your home? To help you identify this style we have pictured a few examples of Bar Stools and Outdoor Patio Furniture that carry Chippendale design elements, including the Cape Coral Dining Set, the Sunset Wicker Sectional, the Auburn Peppercorn Bar Stool and the Pasadena Balcony Stool.
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