Library Bookcase, from Chippendale Drawings, Vol. II 1753

Editor: This is a pencil and colored pencil drawing, "Library Bookcase, from Chippendale Drawings, Vol. II," created by Thomas Chippendale around 1753. Looking at this design, I am struck by how elaborate and decorative it is for something as utilitarian as a bookcase. What social statements can we read in this design? Curator: Well, the very concept of a designated 'library bookcase' in the mid-18th century speaks volumes. Owning and displaying books signified wealth, knowledge, and social status. This wasn't just about storing books; it was a performance of erudition and gentility. Notice the Gothic and Chinese influences melded into the Rococo style. How do those influences strike you? Editor: They make it look worldly. Someone who owns this bookcase is not only educated but has fine taste and a knowledge of global cultures! It must have been for someone quite wealthy, not just because of the materials used but the clear amount of handiwork involved. Curator: Exactly. Chippendale catered to the British elite, solidifying his client's positions in society. The bookcase becomes an active participant in constructing social identity. What role did printed material and furniture like this serve in legitimizing the elite’s cultural and political power? Editor: I guess it goes beyond just owning books. It's about commissioning this bespoke piece that reflected their elevated social standing. So it’s not only the *contents* of the bookcase but the bookcase itself is doing work? Curator: Precisely! The object itself embodies and broadcasts their cultivated identity. Editor: That gives me a lot to consider, it isn't simply storage. Thank you! Curator: My pleasure. The politics of display are always at play, even with furniture!