Chippendale Mahogany Chest-on-Chest

View Similar Items

18th century English Mahogany Chippendale Chest on Chest

18th century English Chippendale Chest on Chest Large Size

Finest Antique English Geo. III Figured Mahogany Chippendale Chest on Chest

Chippendale Chest-on-Chest

18th Century English Mahogany Chippendale Style Chest on Chest

Solid Mahogany 3 Drawers Antique Chippendale Style Dresser Chest

Old American Mahogany "New England Block Front" Chippendale Style Chest on Chest

American Chippendale Mahogany Chest on Chest with Orig. Claw & Ball Feet NY 1770

American Chippendale Mahogany Chest

Antique 1880s Tiger Maple Chippendale Style Bachelor Chest Drawers Dresser

English Chippendale Mahogany Chest of Drawers, Circa 1810

Baker Furniture Chippendale Carved Mahogany Serpentine Dresser Chests, Pair

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 6

Chippendale Mahogany Chest-on-Chest

About the Item

This monumental chest-on-chest exemplifies Thomas Chippendale’s signature style, highlighting the meticulous craftsmanship and neoclassical elements that have become synonymous with his name. An undeniable triumph, this cabinet attributed to the famed Chippendale displays all of the hallmarks of furnishings crafted by the master’s hand. The use of the highest-quality plum pudding mahogany, distinctive red wash, ogee bracket foot and original brass hardware, among other design elements, distinguish this chest-on-chest as a highly rare Chippendale original. The talent and genius of Thomas Chippendale’s designs dominated the furniture styles of the 18th century. He was the first person to boast such a strong following that an entire style bears his name and not that of a monarch. The son of a Yorkshire cabinetmaker, Chippendale quickly excelled in the family business, and by the age of 36, he owned a series of workshops throughout England and an expansive timber yard for harvesting the finest woods. While today Chippendale is celebrated as the greatest cabinetmaker of his era, and perhaps of all time, his business life was far from financially stable. Over anything, he valued perfection in his work, seeking exceptional quality in each and every piece, and spent painstaking hours on even the most minute details. While this slowed his production and resulted in him dying penniless, the outcome was some of the most exquisite pieces of furniture ever constructed. This chest-on-chest is one such example. The incredible attention to detail, impeccable proportions and highest quality materials are evidence of Chippendale’s commitment to pursuing perfection. The plum pudding mahogany, hailing from Cuba, would have been an enormous expense, and the cabinet is further reinforced by oak as a strong, secondary wood. Its gadrooned cavetto cornice epitomizes neoclassical grace, as do the fluted column details placed at the corners. Mahogany became the preferred medium for fine English furniture beginning in the mid-18th century. Cabinetmakers prized it for its hardness, stability and dynamic grain configuration. The wood displayed an unrivaled brilliance, especially in refined Georgian-period designs in which the natural grain and color of the timber speak for themselves. In 1733, the removal of the import taxes on mahogany made the material easier to obtain, yet it was still the most expensive lumber of the period, a trend that continued well into the 19th century. Considering Chippendale’s utilization of the most handsome timbers with rich, warm patinas, coupled with his uncanny flair for emphasizing the natural beauty of the wood, it is no wonder pieces such as this chest are so treasured by collectors. A similar chest-on-chest is featured in The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale by Christopher Gilbert, illustrated on page 118. Circa 1760 Measures: 48 3/4" wide x 22 3/4" deep x 70 3/4" high.

Attributed to:
Thomas Chippendale (Maker)
Dimensions:
Height: 70.75 in (179.71 cm)Width: 48.75 in (123.83 cm)Depth: 22.75 in (57.79 cm)
Style:
Chippendale (In the Style Of)
Materials and Techniques:
Brass,Mahogany
Place of Origin:
England
Period:
18th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1760
Condition:
Seller Location:
New Orleans, LA
Reference Number:
Seller: 31-36581stDibs: LU891127240692