Although Chippendale was the first of the great Georgian Cabinetmakers, he was quickly followed by other famous figures, among whom are the brothers Robert and James Adam. Robert Adam was born in 1728. He studied architecture in Italy and also explored the uncovered ruins of the Roman Empire. These created his interest in the classical designs brought about by the discovery of these ancient ruins. He became the leader of the Classical Revival - England's neo classical period. Upon his return to London he published a book dedicated to King George III.
This book contains paintings, plans and explanations of these Roman ruins. He drew inspiration for his own work from Roman, Greek and Etruscan designs. He was such a distinguished architect that he was appointed architect to the king. He was replaced by his brother James when he resigned from his post. They were good businessmen as well and together they ventured into buildings and real estate that brought them both wealth and fame. They achieved a total revolution in furniture design. They advocated lightness and grace in furniture design. They eliminated the bulky designs of the previous periods. They replaced the ornate curvature of the Chippendale designs with the straight lines of Roman columns. Although the style of the Brothers Adam is similar to the neoclassical style of Louis XVI, both styles evolved independently from each other. Both styles were influenced heavily by the excavation of the Roman ruins.
The following are the characteristics very identifiable to the Adam design.
1. The legs are straight and fluted like the Roman columns. Unlike its French counterpart, it doesn't have the square box with carved rosette at the top of the legs, which makes it easily distinguishable from the neoclassical design of Louis XVI. It is far more delicate that the French design.
2. The chair back usually has the classical motif like the shape of a Greek lyre. Other typical Adam chair back designs are the delicate open "Spokes" design and the Shield shape design.
3. The use of classical motifs that later became the standard for many English designs that followed. These motifs are used everywhere not just in furniture. These are also applied in fireplace mantels, walls and ceilings. They are often painted in casepieces aside from being defined in relief where the motifs are usually vases and urns.
Robert and James Adam were both architects and their greatest achievement was designing rooms not just furniture. They were the first to come up with the concept of designing entire rooms not just a part of it and not just one or two pieces of furniture. Unlike other architects of their time, they did not only design the shape of the room but rather they get into the details. They designed the walls, ceiling, floors, doors and windows and oversaw the placement of every piece of furniture in the room. The Brothers Adam marked the beginning of a whole new style in English furniture and Architecture.
Thomas Chippendale was born in 1718. Considered as a great adapter, he took the best ideas of his time and incorporated it into his own ideas and designs and gave the Master's touch to the completed product. He was a carver of fine wood and his workshop produced some of the finest English furniture of its day. He wasn't just a good carver and a cabinetmaker, he was a good businessman as well. He published a book of his furniture designs and had his wares advertised. His book became a best seller that doubled his customers in number. His name became a by-word and rich Englishmen sought for his work. They only wanted furniture produced by Chippendale's workshop. Chippendale's name became a valuable asset - he was the first English cabinetmaker who carried such value in his name like an artist on a great painting.
Chippendale's book of furniture designs entitled "Gentleman and Cabinet Maker's Director" became the english cabinetmaker's bible. Most cabinetmakers during Chippendale's time copied his works using his drawings as models for their own work because there was so much demand from customers for his designs so they had better supply what the customers demanded. That's why most of the furniture we refer to today as Chippendale was not actually made by the Master himself nor coming from his workshop but rather made by other cabinetmakers who adapted his designs. Chippendale undertook a very wide range of different types of designs which makes it difficult to actually pin point the "Chippendale look" with great certainty.
Chippendale is considered the great adapter. Inspired by the styles of others, he adapted them in a special way that would meet the desires and needs of his vast clientele. Starting with the Early Georgian Period, Chippendale adapted them by simplifying their lines and lightening their looks. He gave more grace and charm to the design. Chippendale's chair designs probably won him the greatest acclaim and it is for these classic designs that his name endures. Chippendale tried so many designs and was imitated by so many cabinet makers that it is very difficult to pin down a piece of furniture as being absolutely Chippendale.
The following are important clues to look for in the Chippendale style:
1. Rococo Motifs with open carved backs. The rococo style of Louis XV is one major influence in Chippendale designs. He took the French design of Louis XV and adapted it for a more English taste. Although more often it is only possible for a connoisseur to distinguish Chippendale's English rococo from that of the French Rococo. One clue is that Chippendale chairs, for example featured carved mahogany backs while the French chairs have upholstered backs.
2. Chinese is the second major influence in the Chippendale designs. Some chairs would reflect an outline of a pagoda roof on its back rest. Others have fretwork on the chair back that is usually a direct copy of an elegant Chinese design of the period. As already known, Chippendale was widely imitated during his period and any piece that reflects the same motif can rightly be called Chinese Chippendale even if it doesn't come from the Master's workshop.
3. Gothic Influence. The use of Gothic motifs is the third major influence in the Chippendale design. The pointed arch that epitomizes the Gothic cathedral is the most familiar of these Gothic motifs.
4. Open Pediment. The curved open pediment top is one design motif that is usually attributed to Chippendale. This is often seen in the top of casepieces. Today we often refer to it as "Chippendale clock" since he often used this design in his tall grandfather's clock. The open pediment design was not invented by Chippendale himself but rather a design that was already introduced during the Queen Anne period. Since Chippendale was the first to use it extensively, he has been firmly identified with that design motif.
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