Chippendale Cabriole Leg Chairs
CHAIRS — Chippendale, cabriole leg
Chippendale designed many chairs with cabriole legs. Country makers continued to use the cabriole with the newer type of Chippendale splat for some time, while a hundred years or so later Victorians made a wide range of imitations (see Chairs — Victorian reproductions).
An elegant chair in which the moulded cabriole legs have been refined down as far as possible without either losing the cabriole effect or damaging the overall proportions. This together with the good broad shaped front seat, the carefully executed ‘Gothic’ splat, all point to a chair of quality. c. 1760
A poor photograph of a reasonable quality cabriole leg chair. The splat is typical Chippendale. It is restrained and, as it is not covered in carving like 146, does not fall into the grand class. Nevertheless, with its good carving, well-proportioned cabriole legs decorated with cabochon and leaves, the use of a decorated edge to the scroll round the shoulder and the top of the rail it is a highly desirable chair. The scroll foot is excellently carved. c. 1760
Chippendale mahogany chair with pleasing splat, good cabrioles and carving that is very similar to pre-Chippendale chairs, moulded sides and carved top rail — a pleasant chair. c. 1760
Of less quality than the last example and interesting to compare them. The simple shell on the back rail, the less complicated splat and the claw which does not quite grasp the ball, all point to a more simple (provincial) approach, indeed the legs and back rail have not changed since the earlier part of the century, only the splat pronounces it Chippendale. c. 1765
Pre-Chippendale chairs
The Chippendale style didn’t suddenly happen with the publication of the Director in 1754 — it evolved. These chairs, all of which have some of the features associated with Chippendale’s designs, might usefully be grouped as pre-Chippendale. Many of them seem to contain a mixture of walnut and mahogany designs.
Tags: cabriole leg, cabriole legs, CHAIRS, Chippendale, Chippendale Chairs, chippendale style, claw, country, Gothic, mahogany, mahogany chair, Victorians, walnut