The House of Miniatures

THoM Product # 40050 - Chippendale Serpentine Chest

Catalog Description: Gracefully curved lines distinguish this handsome miniature. Notice all of the chamfered corners and the solid brass fittings that accent this re-creation of a c.1760 original. 3"h x 4"w x 2"d.

Circa: 1760

Style: Chippendale

Period: Colonial

Design © 1979

Chippendale's case pieces reflected the same solid, yet graceful, appearance of the rest of his designs. This particular piece is actually a reverse-serpentine front since the mid-bow is in an outward direction. The corners of the case were deeply chamfered without adornment. On some versions of this chest the chamfered edges were decorated with a deep-carved fretwork design, or boldly fluted. Bases on pieces of this design were either unadorned or deeply molded, but most were built without and apron. The piece we have reproduced in miniature has heavily molded bracket feet, while other versions were supported on short protruding cabriole legs terminated in carved ball-and-claw feet. The drawers were usually full width with graduated depths, but occasionally a chest was made with two half-width drawers at the top. The front treatment of the drawers varied with the whims of the cabinetmaker, or his customer. Some were faced with crotch-grained veneer, some were ornately carved, while others provided an expanse of warm-hued mahogany.

Links To Articles and Offerings