Chippendale Secretary Bookcases

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Chippendale Secretary Bookcases

• Boston, Philadelphia, New Port And New York

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Boston

• Desk and bookcase
• Boston 1778
• Mahogany
• H 96 W 43 D 23
• Winterthur Museum

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Boston Bombé

• Desk and bookcase
• Attributed to George Bright of Boston
• Bombé style, elaborately decorated with Rococo
  and classical elements
• -naturalistic forms such as vines, flowers and
  shell shapes
• Characteristic Boston ball-and-claw feet and
  finals

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• Boston Bombé
• Example
• The Bombé style was most popular in Boston
  where Chippendales Director was followed the
  most closely. The Bombé style was derived from
  the French King, Louis the XV Rococo style and
  means to bilge or jut out.

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Characteristics of Boston Furniture
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Philadelphia
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Elaborate Philadelphia

• Philadelphia cabinetmakers were known for adding
  elaborate carvings and other decorations.
• Philadelphia preferred the more Rococo style
  unlike the Baroque style used in Boston and New
  Port.
• - The elaborate finial on this Philadelphia
  secretary bookcase.

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Characteristics of Philadelphia

• This secretary bookcase from Philadelphia had
  glass doors, with silk tapestry fastened on the
  inside.
• Glass doors along with with bracket feet, and the
  ornate, Rococo style carving on the pediment were
  all characteristic of Philadelphia.
• The two candles rest on small candle stands that
  pull out directly from the desk.

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The Elite of Philadelphia
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New York
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Characteristics of New York

• New York secretary bookcases are known for being
  more square and steady unlike those seen in
  Boston.
• Claw-and-ball feet were carved in square box-like
  shapes which gave them the appearance of
  solidarity
• The carving and ornament was shallow and
  controlled in comparison with Philadelphia.

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New York Extras at a Cost

• With these rare glass doors, similar to those
  seen on the Philadelphia piece would have been a
  major investment for its owner
• This desk and bookcase is attributed to Samuel
  Price of New York.

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• New Port

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Cabinetmakers of New Port

• New Port had already gained recognition before
  the Revolution, being the summer destination for
  the wealthy families in the South as well as some
  European royalty
• The wealthy patrons of New Port furnished their
  homes with the finest furniture and their cabinet
  makers of choice were the Townsends and Goddards

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Characteristics of New Port

• Block fronts with shell carving was attributed to
  the Townsends and Goddards because there is no
  example of it from Europe.

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New Port Detail
Cabinet makers in New Port made sure to pay
attention to every last detail. Blocking was
carried all the way to the ground through ogee
curved feet with the typical New Port volute.
They also took pride in their craftsmanship by
not covering their dovetail construction which
was practiced in Boston.