Evening star., 1938-05-03

Though he never used these designs,
from them has grown a style which
we know as Chippendale. If his Gus
toners did not like the drawings in
the book, he told them proudly that
the designs were as nothing unless
they were executed by Thomas Chip
pendale. And this was true; in
terpreted by him they had perfect pro-
portion combined with excellent work.
manship and fine decoration. He
picked up ideas here, there and every
where, from the Dutch, the French
and the Chinese, fused them with his
own ability and personality to make
them forever Chippendale.
MAHOGANY and Chippendale rose
to fame together Until 1928
walnut was the fashionable wood for
fine furniture in France and Eng
land. At that time mahogany began
to come in from Cuba and San Do
mingo. and it was discovered that it
was finer in texture. harder in grain
and as easily worked as walnut. Just
as Chippendale was becoming FASH
ionable mahogany came into general
use and his great ability as a wood
carver had perfect medium. He
was famous for his fretted and pierced
panels, his fine carved finals and pedi-
ments. Gliding and Japanning be-
came popular with the fashion for
Chinese and Japanese decoration, and
he tried his hand at that.
1t would be impossible for me to
list the various designs which have
survived the years. In the libraries
and museums are many fine examples
in case you wish to familiarize your
self with all the designs. In general
Chippendale side chairs have the
curved cabriole leg, with decoration
on the knee and the ball and claw
foot. Or the leg may be straight,
perfectly plain or with the fretwork
running up the leg and the cut-out
bracket after the Chinese. The seat
Is wide, giving a gracious appearance,
and upholstered. Backs may be deli
cate and intricately designed like the
ribbon back. or with solid carved
pattern or with three Stats
The overstuffed armchairs are per-
feet examples Of designing and COM
forts and very quickly impress on
one their own distinctive lines.
Sofas were very popular in this
country and were usually made with
the straight leg, rolling arms and a
beautifully designed back. The shape
Of the arms and back were carved out
of solid wood and then padded so that
they never lost their shape. They
are as perfect today as when they
were made.
There is a great deal of difference
between gracious, flowing lines and
over-plump curves! Be sure that your
Gabrielle leg is not bulbous and that
the ball and claw foot is not too large
or too small for the weight above it.
Your sofa should have an ample,
comfortable look, but not be too opu-
lent or chunky. All the Chippendale
designs were much modified and SIM
plif1ed in the colonies. Large plain
surfaces were enhanced by small areas
of fine decoration, instead Of the very
ornate pieces so admired abroad.
Small tables were Of the three
legged, pie-crust variety, with carving
on the legs and around the table edge.
They also were made with a carved
and pierced gallery top and four very
slender legs. Occasionally the cluster
leg. which is four slender legs, joined
at intervals by band, was used with
a gallery top. These gave delightful
effect Of slenderness and fragility,
though they were In fact very strong
With little study Of the best pieces
you will quickly understand the differ
ence between the good reproduction
and the cheap copy