The House of Miniatures

THoM Product # 40015 - Chipppendale Sofa

Catalog Description: Authentically styled "rollover" arms, arched back, and six plain square legs connected by stretchers. This lovely miniature comes with upholstery fabric in Federal blue. 3"h x 6 1/2"w x 2 5/8"d.

Circa: 1750-1790

Style: Chippendale

Period: Colonial

Design © 1976

Few furniture designers become influential enough to have their names rather than a monarch's linked with current styles. One of these was Thomas Chippendale, who operated one of the most fashionable shops in London from 1745 until his death in 1777. The Chippendale sofa was a stately piece of furniture, dignified in design and often large in size. It seems that Chippendale himself did not give much attention to sofas since there was so little surface upon which fine carving could be executed as they were entirely covered with upholstery except for the legs and stretchers. In sofas of this type the attractive features are the fine outlines and proportions and the elegance of the material used in the upholstery; the visible woodwork, unless ornamental, does not add much to the appearance. It is said that the outlines of sofas of this type may be much impaired by being carelessly upholstered. A prominent feature in the Chippendale sofa is the "rollover" arms. Some of the American sofas in the Chippendale style are elaborate and highly carved pieces, with cabriole legs and ball and claw feet; but most of them have the plain square legs and plain stretchers. The X-ACTO miniature Chippendale sofa is a replica of one that was made between 1760-1785. It has 6 plain legs connected by stretchers. The back is arched in a curve characteristic of these pieces.

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