Bed Pillars, in Chippendale Drawings, Vol. I 1759

This is a plate from the first volume of Thomas Chippendale’s influential design book, “The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker’s Director,” published in 1754. The plate, “Bed Pillars,” shows five distinct designs for bed posts, showcasing Chippendale’s penchant for combining Rococo and Gothic motifs in his furniture designs. This plate is typical of the Director, which features hundreds of detailed drawings and is considered a foundational work in English furniture design. The Director contributed to the popularity of the Chippendale style, which influenced furniture design in both England and America for decades to come.