The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director by Thomas Chippendale.
Being a large collection of the most elegant and useful designs of household furniture in the Gothic, Chinese and modern taste: including a great variety of book-cases for libraries or private rooms, commodes, library and writing-tables, bureaus...The whole comprehended in one hundred and sixty copper-plates, neatly engraved, calculated to improve and refine the present taste, and suited to the fancy and circumstances of persons in all degrees of life. [London]: Printed for the Author and sold at his house in St. Martin's-Lane. Also by T. Osborne, bookseller, in Gray's-Inn; H. Piers, bookseller, in Holborn... and at Dublin, by Mr. John Smith, on the Blind-Quay, 1754
FIRST EDITION OF THOMAS CHIPPENDALE'S REVOLUTIONARY WORK ON FURNITURE WITH THE FULL SET OF 160 ENGRAVED COPPER PLATES.
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Chippendale's The Director stands as an exceptional achievement in the realm of furniture books, marking the inaugural work of its kind. Prior collections of furniture designs had been relatively modest in scale, primarily targeting the trade. The first edition of The Director, as its more commonly known, which emerged on the scene, was nothing short of a resounding success. It was swiftly followed by a second edition in 1755 and a third in 1762, attesting to its enduring impact.
This groundbreaking work was the brainchild of the eminent London cabinet-maker, Thomas Chippendale (1718-79). Chippendale's intent was twofold: to guide gentlemen in their selection of furnishings and to provide cabinet-makers with design blueprints for their execution. If a single design failed to meet a gentleman's discerning taste, The Director aimed to offer a plethora of models to kindle fresh creative concepts.
The introductory section of the book delves into the essential classical orders, which formed the bedrock for crafting ornamental elements and furniture legs. Additionally, it expounds upon the principles of rendering chairs, tables, and bookcases in perspective, making frequent references to the accompanying illustrations within the volume.
The pièce de résistance of The Director lies in its 160 exquisite plates, each meticulously reproduced from Chippendale's original designs. These plates artfully encapsulate the prevailing 18th-century British aesthetic, showcasing an extensive array of household furniture. Among the featured items are bookcases, various styles of tables (including writing and breakfast tables), chests of drawers, and fire screens adorned with exotic Oriental motifs. The compendium also boasts a comprehensive assortment of chairs, spanning French, Gothic, and Chinese styles, in addition to beds and canopies. Completing this rich tapestry of furnishings are trays, clock-cases, shelf brackets, and candle-stands, making The Director an indispensable resource for connoisseurs of 18th-century British design.
Following the publication of this book, "Chippendale style" furniture has remained incredibly popular and essentially a genre of furniture itself, all based on the designs in this book. And, according to the Victoria and Albert museum, "so influential were his designs, in Britain, and throughout Europe and America, that 'Chippendale' became a shorthand description for any furniture similar to his Director designs". It is of such desirability that a Chippendale cabinet sold for over £2.7 million at auction in 2008, and at the same auction: a pair of armchairs realised £2.2 million, a sofa realised £2.1 million, a bookcase £2 million, and some simple pier tables in the manner of Chippendale (not attributed to him) sold for over £90,000.
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Similar Examples
- Realised £6,875 at Christie's 10th July 2019 lot 707.
- Realised $8,508 at Ketterer Kunst 14th November 2006 lot 1345
- Realised $7,475 at Swann Auctions September 20th 2001 lot 154
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Size: 465 x 300 mm (approx.)
[Brunet I, 1844; Rothschild 614; Avery Architectural Library pp.160 (describing the 1762 third edition)]
Condition:
[vii-x; pp.1-pp.27; plates I-CLX (1-160)], lacks all before preliminary pp.vii including main title page else collates as complete. pp.21 misnumbered as pp.20 as called for in the first edition, all plates dated to the year prior to publication in 1753 also as called for. Minor stains at edge of plate 24-25 with the last few plates toned, else the plates are generally in excellent and clean condition.
Spine with some marks, primarily to the bottom, and very minor scratches. Some fragments of backstrip are lacking / peeling on the spine. Tooled label present but with prominent wear and small fragments lacking. Both boards attached with joints and hinges starting. Front board with prominent marks and scuffing, as well as fragments of leather lacking and peeling. Rear board with large fragments of leather lacking and with prominent marks and scratches. Shelf and edge wear. Pastedown foxed. Very small holes to the top corner of ffep. Pen ownership inscription on rear pastedown.
