Small Furniture

The small furniture of the Chippendale period consisted of candle stands (Plate XIX, p. 174), cellarettes, barometer cases, fire screens (Key IX, 5 and 7), bason stands (Plate XIV, p. 148), hanging shelves, and a great variety of other small conveniences which the increasing culture of the time demanded. The candle stands and most of the fire screens belonged to the genus of tripod furniture, and were generally wrought with care and elaboration. The candle stands were made in the modes of all four phases, while the fire screens were generally confined in style to the English or later French modes.

Hanging shelves were usually carved or fretted, and some of them are extremely graceful and beautiful.

Mirrors

Mirrors in the Chippendale period exist in a great variety of forms. Two kinds especially must be noticed.

The oblong mirror in mahogany frame with fretted scroll top and base, and sometimes the addition of gilded ornament, is met with in great numbers on both sides of the Atlantic (Key XIX, 1 and 3).

The other form of mirror frame in which the Chippendale craftsmen particularly delighted was elaborated to the last degree. It was highly carved in all manner of fantastic designs (Fig. 1; Plates XIV, p. 148 and XIX, p. 174), often with subjects taken from AEsop's Fables, or with intricate Chinese patterns, and was then heavily gilt.

Both types of mirrors remained in favour long after newer furniture forms had supplanted recognised Chippendale styles for other objects of household equipment.

Clockcases

Tall clockcases were designed to accord with other articles of furniture in use at this period, and their pattern and particular modes of embellishment were determined by the phase in which it pleased the designer and carver to work. Most of the clockcases may be classified as belonging to the English or French phases.

Key Plate VIII. Chippendale Period - Continued

Fig. 1. Bureau Bookcase, Swan-neck Pediment, Traceried Doors, Chinese Bracket Feet.

Fig. 2. Cupboard with Swan-neck Scroll Pediment, Veneered Doors, Fluted Canted Corners, Chinese Bracket Feet.

Fig. 3. Secretary Bookcase, Traceried Doors, Pull-down Front Writing Drawer.

Fig. 4. Clothes Press, Veneered Door Panels, Chinese Bracket Feet.

Fig. 5. Tripod Pole Screen.

Fig. 6. Lifting-lid Chest on Detached Stand, Pierced Fret Legs.

Fig. 7. Tripod Pole Screen.