Gothick Chair
Item
Title
Gothick Chair
Creator
Thomas Chippendale
Date
1754
Description
Thomas Chippendale's "The Gentleman and Cabinet-maker's Director" is among the most important furniture pattern books ever published. First released in 1754, it contained 161 engraved plates that codified an approach to the Rococo that blended Gothic, Chinese, and contemporary styles. In 1755 he issued a second edition of this book and a revised and expanded third edition in 1762. Because of its popularity, Chippendale's book greatly expanded the means through which designs circulated, and introduced his vision of the Rococo to English, Continental, and (most importantly) Colonial American audiences.
In some ways, the Rococo was the perfect vehicle to re-introduce the pointed Gothic arch as the rectangular seat backs were well-suited to attenuating the arch and balancing the dynamism of the florid carving. Prior to this, in the Queen Anne or Late Baroque style, the rounded chair backs would have been an awkward juxtaposition with the pointed arch.
In some ways, the Rococo was the perfect vehicle to re-introduce the pointed Gothic arch as the rectangular seat backs were well-suited to attenuating the arch and balancing the dynamism of the florid carving. Prior to this, in the Queen Anne or Late Baroque style, the rounded chair backs would have been an awkward juxtaposition with the pointed arch.