CHIPPENDALE, Thomas
(b. 1718, Otley, 1779, London)

Biography

English cabinet-maker. He became a cabinet-maker in London, designing furniture in the mid-Georgian, English Rococo, and Neoclassical styles.

After working as a journeyman cabinet-maker in London, he became the first cabinet-maker to publish in 1754 a book of his designs, titled The Gentleman and Cabinet Maker's Director, upon which success he became renowned. The designs of the book are regarded as reflecting the current British fashion for furniture of that period and are today reproduced globally.

Thomas Chippendale, Junior took over the business in 1776 allowing his father to retire. He was buried 16 November 1779, according to the records of St Martin-in-the-Fields, in the cemetery since built upon by the National Gallery.

Thomas Chippendale was legendary for his furniture designs that blended English, Chinese and Gothic motifs to create the distinctly elegant style that bears his name. In fact, the English cabinet-maker is the first to have an entire style named after him and not a monarch.