Chippendale

Thomas Chippendale – born: 1718 in Otley, Yorkshire, died: 1779 in London.
Chippendale has become one of the best-known furniture designers and makers in the history of English furniture. As he was born into a family of carpenters it is no surprise that he too entered into a trade where he was designing and creating stylish and elegant furniture from wood.

Little is known of Chippendale’s early years but it is known that he moved from his native Yorkshire to London in 1748 at the age of 30 and set up his business as a cabinet maker. It is likely that his skills as a cabinet maker were as a result of his father’s influence. It is widely believed that Chippendale also served an apprenticeship with a leading furniture maker from York, namely Mr Robert Wood.

He was married, in some style, at St George’s Chapel in Mayfair on the 19th of May 1748. His wife was called Catherine Redshaw and together they had nine children – four girls and five boys – some of whom followed him into the business, most notably Thomas (Junior) who took over the business in 1776, just before his father’s death from tuberculosis three years later in 1779.

Chippendale’s fame and fortune was considerable and his influence on cabinet makers both during his life and for centuries after his death was due in no small part to the publication in 1754 of a pattern book entitled “The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker’s Director”

The publication of that volume and its huge popularity lead to Chippendale occupying larger premises in London, located on St Martins Lane which was the place to be in London for furniture related industries at that time. The “Director” served as a means for those who had the cash to spend, to order furniture that was made to their exact requirements by combining elements of design taken from Chippendale’s publication.

As a result, Chippendale’s work found its way into many a country estate as well as many other high profile locations all over the world. Chippendale could count many influential people amongst his patrons of the time, these included members of the aristocracy and many well-known members of the public including the actor David Garrick.

That did not mean, however, that those pieces were actually made by Thomas Chippendale himself. His London workshops were of a considerable size, employing dozens of skilled craftsmen all making fine furniture to Chippendale’s design, from the very best materials available, mainly mahogany. In fact it is difficult to find verifiable works that can be attributed to Chippendale directly. He didn’t mark his work so the only reliable method of attribution is if the piece in question is accompanied by a bill of sale or other verifiable documentation, such as an inventory made for the purposes of a valuation, for example.

Many other craftsmen the world over also made furniture to Chippendale’s designs which further complicates the issue of authentication. So although you are unlikely to be able to purchase an original piece, directly attributed to Thomas Chippendale, there are many fine examples of work in the style of the master around which come up for sale from time to time.

Notable features of Chippendale’s design include the famous detailed and beautifully carved legs and the high quality of the hand made joinery.

Chippendale’s furniture took much of its design influence from the Rococo style which was prevalent during his early years and shifted towards a more neo-classical look later on, influenced no doubt to some extent by his association with the architect Robert Adam.

Overseas influences also played their part, including a considerable amount of Chinese style. Most of Chippendale’s finest work is still owned by the estates for which they were originally made and in many cases these are available for the public to view.