Antiques & Collectibles Thomas Chippendale Furniture

Chippendale is undoubtedly the most famous name in the history of English furniture. In the 18th century, furniture was named after rulers like Louis and Queen Anne, making Thomas Chippendale - a simple cabinet maker - the first non-noble to have his name grace a period that is considered to be the height of English furniture design.

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Thomas Chippendale is remembered and revered for creating a new look for furniture that blended disparate styles into a form that was both aesthetically appealing and unsurpassed in quality.

Chippendale differentiated himself from other furniture makers by applying his knowledge of cabinet making to furniture design. Over a decade he amassed a collection of designs that would later translate into personal success.

In 1754 Chippendale published the Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director, an important collection of furniture designs that illustrated almost every type of mid-18th century domestic furniture - from footstools to sofas - that he had designed.

While Chippendale was considered one of the most famous furniture designers in Europe by his customers, his critics labelled him a talented modifier of existing styles whose designs in the Director were simply improvements on the fashionable furniture styles of the time.

Chippendale was influenced by English Gothic, French Rococo and Chinese design that had been imported through trade.

Many of Chippendale's dining chairs show influence from both the English Gothic and Rococo styles. From Gothic examples, Chippendale took pointed arches and s-shaped curves for the backs of his dining chairs. He used Rococo styling to add carved and gilded slats to his ladder back chairs.

Chinese influence is found in Chippendale cabinets and shelves rather than chairs. Oriental-style lacquer and Chinese motifs are common in china cabinets and tea tables attributed to Chippendale.

In the 1760s Chippendale began working with English architect Robert Adam. Adam was well known for his Neoclassical interiors and influenced Chippendale to design mahogany and satinwood furniture in that style, creating many pieces on contract for fine English houses.

The demand for Chippendale furniture did not diminish over the next hundred years. After Thomas died, his son took over his workshop and continued to create furniture from Chippendale's designs.

By the late 1800s Thomas Chippendale's designs were being adapted and simplified around the world, inspiring local craftsmen to become masters of his work. From Philadelphia to Ireland, Chippendale replicas were at the height of popular taste.

But many of these craftsmen could not reproduce the intricate carved details that were characteristic of Chippendale, and their works are recognizable as replicas of lesser quality.

Collectors interested in acquiring Chippendale pieces should spend some time familiarizing themselves with the look and feel of his work. Knowing the common characteristics and types of furniture that Chippendale created can make searching out the right piece just a little easier.

Some of the distinguishing characteristics of Chippendale furniture: mostly mahogany, although walnut, maple and cherry were also used incorporate Chinese, Gothic and Rococo detail feet feature ball-and-claw design chairs have ladder-style backs top rail of chair backs are generally bowed chair backs have pierced slats and ornately carved designs s-shape is incorporated into legs (cabriole), cabinet doors and overall look panel doors have arched tops.

What's out there to buy:

The Chippendale workshop undertook all branches of interior decoration from cabinetry to upholstery. Chairs, tables, cabinets and sofas are among the most common antiques available, but collectors with a keen eye may also find pianos, mirrors and commodes.

Prior to Chippendale, furniture design was about aesthetics, but he saw comfort as an important consideration. Chippendale increased the luxury and comfort afforded by his furniture through innovations like increased size for the already popular Wing Chair and the invention of the large Camelback sofa that allowed people to rest their heads.

What to be aware of:

Chippendale's name is given indiscriminately to many pieces of mid-18th-century furniture, but few pieces were actually made by him.While Chippendale was the chief designer of the furniture bearing his name, there were many craftsmen who worked with him to bring those designs to fruition.

In addition, pieces that resemble Chippendale designs are not necessarily made by him or his craftsmen, as the designs were available to other contemporary cabinetmakers. Antique dealers may list items as "Chippendale style" meaning the piece does fit the characteristics of Chippendale furniture, but was not made by him or in his workshop.

What you should expect to pay:

The price of a Chippendale antique will depend on where it was made, what it is and the condition it is in.

True Chippendale furniture made by him at his workshop will get top dollar, generally several tens of thousands depending on the size of the piece. Sofas, cabinets and dining sets are typically the most costly items, while mirrors, individual tables and chairs, and bookshelves will be less.

Most important to the worth of any antique is its condition. If the wood is scratched and dented or faded and cracked its dollar value will plummet. Those pieces in excellent condition will carry the highest price tags.

A set of eight authentic Chippendale dining chairs can cost upwards of $50,000 while a replica set may bring anywhere from 10% to 60% less. But if your budget is smaller there are a number of options - from a mahogany reproduction bookshelf at $400 to a "Chippendale style" footstool at $150.

An antiques dealer or appraiser should be consulted if there is any question about the origin of any antique, and Chippendale furniture is no exception.

Thomas Chippendale inspired an era of furniture design that is considered one of the best in English history and although he was never a royal, the fine furnishings that bear the Chippendale name are still fit for a king.

By Pamela Saunders

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Thomas Chippendale Furniture