Thomas Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables

This magnificent George II writing chest was crafted by the legendary cabinetmaker Thomas Chippendale. A metamorphic table, the top drawer slides out to reveal a green felted writing station. The timber on this piece is the finest quality Cuban mahogany, and Chippendale’s innovative and signature red wash has preserved the timber to near perfection. The exquisite "Artist's chest" features all the hallmarks of Georgian style, and seldom does one come across a piece of furniture such as this that embodies all of the most important design elements of its era crafted by a master's hand. 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. 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, sets his creations in a class of their own. 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. By the age of 36, he owned a series of workshops throughout England and an expansive timber yard for harvesting the finest woods. Chippendale's The Gentleman and Cabinetmaker's Director, propelled the craftsman into the international spotlight...

This exceptional kneehole dressing table by the workshops of Thomas Chippendale displays all of the hallmarks of furnishings crafted by the mas...