The gentleman and cabinet-maker's director. . Being a large collection of the most elegant and useful designs of houshold furniture [...] The whole comprehended in one hundred and sixty copper-plates, [...] By Thomas Chippendale, [...].
Thomas Chippendale (Otley 1718 - London 1779)
Category
Books
Date
1754
Materials
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Nostell Priory, West Yorkshire
NT 3078170
Caption
Cabinet-making and upholstering were important manufacturing trades during the second half of the 18th century, notable for their lavish exploration of Neoclassical and Rococo styles. Perhaps the most eminent among the host of cabinet-makers active at this time was Thomas Chippendale, who published his book of influential designs, The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker’s Director, in 1754. Published by subscription, The Director was an instant success. It was reissued in 1755, and again in 1762 with additional plates in the new Neo-classical style. So influential were Chippendale's designs, in Britain and throughout Europe and America, that ‘Chippendale’ became a shorthand description for any furniture similar to his Director designs.
Summary
Bibliographic description
[4],x,27,[1]p.,plates . fol.. Provenance: Bookplate: armorial, 18th century; unidentified. Acquired by the National Trust with the Chippendale furniture at Nostell from the Winn family.. Binding: Sprinkled calf; gilt ruled and rolled to form a panel; red spine label: 'Gentleman & cabinet maker's director'; rebacked; spine entirely replaced.
Provenance
Presumably acquired by Sir Rowland Winn, 5th Baronet (1739 - 1785), circa 1775 and thence by descent. Purchased as part of a collection of furniture and associated archive material by the National Trust in 1986 from the trustees of Rowland Winn, 4th Baron St Oswald (1918-1984), supported by a grant from the National Heritage Memorial Fund.
Makers and roles
Thomas Chippendale (Otley 1718 - London 1779)