Gothick [Gothic] Chairs, in Chippendale Drawings, Vol. I 1753

Here are Thomas Chippendale’s "Gothick Chairs", a drawing dating to 1762. Chippendale was a leading furniture designer in 18th-century England, during a period defined by evolving tastes and global trade. These chair designs reflect the fascination with the Gothic style that was part of the broader revival of interest in historical styles. But consider too, for whom were these designs intended? Chippendale catered to the elite, and his designs speak to the tastes of a privileged class. As we consider these chairs, think about the labor and resources required to produce such luxury items, which were made possible through exploitation and colonialism. Chippendale’s designs are not just about aesthetics; they are material testaments to the social hierarchies of his time. How do these objects reinforce or challenge existing power structures, and what narratives do they perpetuate or subvert?