Library Table, from Chippendale Drawings, Vol. II 1753

This ‘Library Table’ was designed by Thomas Chippendale in the 18th century, with pencil and grey wash on paper. It is a design, of course, not the table itself; yet it testifies to a world of making. Consider the qualities of the wood that would have been chosen: dense, fine-grained, and strong, perfectly seasoned to prevent warping. Imagine the expertise required to execute the carving on the legs and frieze, and the joinery required to give the table structural integrity. Chippendale’s genius was in coordinating all of this labor, and standardizing designs that could then be interpreted by many hands. The drawing thus represents a crucial moment in the history of design, when craft skill began to be organized according to proto-industrial principles. The result was luxury goods, such as this exquisite library table, made available to a wider market than ever before. The drawing gives us an insight into the artistry, labor, and market forces required to produce such a functional piece.