Bureau Tables, from Chippendale Drawings, Vol. II 1753

This is a design for Bureau Tables, made around the mid-18th century by Thomas Chippendale. It’s rendered in pen and ink and watercolor on paper. It is not a finished piece, but a preparatory drawing. Chippendale was a cabinetmaker and designer working at a crucial moment, when furniture making was shifting from a craft-based practice to a more industrialized one. Here, we see the material of wood considered in great detail, as the artist indicates precise measurements and decorative motifs. The drawing suggests the immense amount of skilled labor that would have been required to produce such elaborate furniture. These drawings were not merely technical specifications, but also served as a kind of marketing material, showcasing the range of styles and options available to wealthy clients. Chippendale's work reflects the increasing importance of consumerism and status in 18th-century society, where furniture became a symbol of wealth and taste. Understanding Chippendale's drawings in their material and social context allows us to appreciate the complex interplay between design, craft, and commerce in the creation of luxury goods.