Let's LOOK at the Similarities

Last week Tuesday I listed the similarities between both the blog chair and its predecessor in Chippendale’s The Gentleman & Cabinet Maker’s Director. Today I will illustrate these similarities with images. Keep your eyes open for subtle variations between the two chairs, which will be discussed next. Also, a few revisions were made to the text to better clarify the points.

- The center splats (center section of the back that extends from the shoe to the top rail) of both chairs are pierced (cut through) numerous times.

  

                        - The center of the top rails rise to crests/peaks.

-Away from the peaks they curve downward and up again into “ears”, at the corner where the top rail meet the side stiles. 

    - On the lower side of the curves stylized shells (nature based) are carved.  

- At the top center of the splat is an oval cartouche composed of mirrored “C” scrolls and topped with stylized shells. This cartouche is a reference to the grotto, a popular 18^th century fascination. (9)

- Framing the cartouche are double “C” scrolls, which are also mirrored and facing the opposite direction of those forming the cartouche.

          - A distinct ribbon is carved in the center of the splat of both chairs.

- A carved rope extends out of the center of the cartouche down to the middle of the ribbon and its knot.

              - Two “C” scrolls uphold the ribbon's bottom, flanking its sides.

-the overall form of the legs is an “S” curve onto which are applied a series of “C” scrolls.

- The knees of the legs are heavily carved with “C” scrolls and stylized shells.

 

-“C” scrolls extend up from the knees at the corner into the seat frame, visually interrupting the straight line of the bottom of the seat.

- The cabriole legs end in a tightly rolled scroll foot. 

All of the above: Photos courtesy of SHS; Illustrations from The Gentleman and Cabinetmaker's Director.

"C" you later!

Theresa

Yummy Furniture and Design

theresamhs@sbcglobal.net

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Footnote
9. Bekerdite, Luke. American Furniture 1996, The Rococo, the Grotto and the Philadelphia high Chest, University Press of New England, Hanover. 112