Antiques in the Attic: Identifying Chippendale Furniture
His life
Thomas Chippendale was born in 1718 in Otley, Yorkshire, England. He moved to London in 1740 to further his business and had several partners throughout his career. The Earl of Burlington was one of the first influential people to purchase Chippendale furniture. Chippendale was married twice and had 9 children with his first wife and 2 children with his second wife. When he retired in 1776, his eldest son took over the business.
the furniture
Thomas Chippendale was an apprentice carpenter for a cabinetmaker before setting up his own business in London.
In 1754 he published a book illustrating 160 designs from his shop, entitled The Knight and Director of the Cabinetmaker.
The book was so popular that it produced two subsequent editions, each illustrating new designs. The designs show the Georgian, Queen Anne, French and Chinese influences in Chippendale. Chippendale’s books influenced other furniture manufacturers of the time. Chippendale preferred to accept large-scale commissions from aristocratic clients who selected his furniture designs from his director books. With such clients he acted as a modern interior designer, selecting furniture and accessories for the entire house.
The years between 1750 and 1785 are known as the Chippendale period.
Because Chippendale did not sign or use a maker’s mark, it is difficult to attribute parts to him with certainty. The only recognized method of establishing authenticity is to find one of your original invoices, usually preserved among estate documents or equivalent documentation. However a piece can be accurately attributed to the Chippendale workshop, it is almost impossible to attribute the production of the piece to Chippendale himself.
As his business flourished, furniture production was completed by craftsmen whom Chippendale employed in his place. When examining a piece attributed to the Chippendale workshop it is important to look at the technique used for the joints. Hand made joints will be slightly uneven and may show evidence of hand tool marks. It is also recommended to look for evidence of hand planing, hand sawing, hand nails and shrinkage in the wood.
New designs from the Chippendale period
Chippendale produced new furniture designs, including the pie crust table and high chest-over-chest chairs. He also introduced the camel back sofa complete with upholstery in brocade, velvet and damask fabrics.
Their furniture was generally made of mahogany, imported from the West Indies. Solid wood, rather than veneer, was used to allow for the elaborate carving typical of the Chippendale style.
Identification of the characteristics of the Chippendale style
The furniture of the time has the following characteristics:
- Large decorative brass drawer pulls.
- Curved furniture legs
- soccer ball and claw
- square straight legs
- Absence of stretchers between the legs of the chairs
- Chairs that measure between 3 feet 1 inch and 3 feet 2 1/2 inches from the floor to the top of the chair back
- carved ornamentation
american chippendale
Furniture produced by American craftsmen during the Chippendale period is recognizable by the use of large, ornate pieces of mahogany, which were then given a high polish.
Reproductions
Everyone who appreciates and wants to decorate in the Chippendale style may not be able to afford an original piece. Reproductions were made by hand when Chippendale was producing furniture, and modern reproductions using modern techniques continue today.
The reproductions are detected by the lack of depth and quality of the ornate carvings. The wood from which modern pieces are built, even if it is made from mahogany, will be less dense than the older mahogany used in the 18th century.
Lastly, if the price seems exceptionally reasonable for a genuine Chippendale, it’s probably a reproduction. A reputable antiques dealer will provide a note of authenticity, appraisal, and a money-back guarantee for an unsatisfied purchase.
Chippendale Society
The Society was founded in 1965 in the hometown of Thomas Chippendale.
The Society’s mission is:
- promote public education and promote appreciation and study of the work of Thomas Chippendale senior and junior
- acquire, preserve and maintain examples of their work for the benefit of the nation
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