ticketsMember | Make a donation

The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director

1762
Not on view
This third edition of Chippendale's "Director" is considered the most important 18th century collection of English furniture designs. In 1752, the author issued a first version aimed at cabinet-makers containing one hundred and sixty-one engraved illustrations. Here expanded to two hundred, the work caught the interest of patrons as well as craftsmen. In addition to chairs, tables, bed, bookcases, and cabinets, Chippendale added clock cases, pier glasses (mirrors), girendoles (candle holders), picture frames, stove grates, borders for paper hangings and designs for brass handles and escutcheons to adorn furniture. Ranging from French and Venetian Rococo, to Gothic and Chinese, these designs were used to create coordinated interiors in a range of styles.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director
  • Artist and publisher: Thomas Chippendale (British, baptised Otley, West Yorkshire 1718–1779 London)
  • Artist: Matthias Darly (British, ca. 1720–1780 London)
  • Artist: Tobias Müller (German, active London, ca. 1752–1778)
  • Artist: Johann Sebastian Müller (German, Nuremberg 1715–1790 London)
  • Artist: Cornelius Heinrich Hemmerich (active Britain, 18th century)
  • Artist: Butler Clowes (British, ca.1730–after 1782)
  • Artist: Edward Rooker (British, London 1711–1774 London)
  • Artist: Isaac Taylor I (British, Worcester 1730–1807 Edmonton, Greater London)
  • Artist: William Foster (British, 18th century)
  • Artist: Thomas Morris (British, active 1750–1811)
  • Artist: James Hullett (British, active 18th century)
  • Publisher: Thomas Becket (London)
  • Publisher: P. A. de Hondt (London)
  • Published in: London
  • Date: 1762
  • Medium: Illustrations: etching and engraving
  • Dimensions: book: 18 1/8 x 11 3/4 x 1 7/8 in. (46 x 29.8 x 4.7 cm)
    page: 17 15/16 x 10 13/16 in. (45.6 x 27.5 cm)
  • Classifications: Books, Ornament & Architecture
  • Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1982
  • Object Number: 1982.1133
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Pier Glass Frame, in Chippendale Drawings, Vol. I, Thomas Chippendale British, Graphite
Pier Glass Frame, in Chippendale Drawings, Vol. I
Thomas Chippendale
ca. 1753–62
Pier Glass Frame, in Chippendale Drawings, Vol. I, Thomas Chippendale British, Graphite
Pier Glass Frame, in Chippendale Drawings, Vol. I
Thomas Chippendale
ca. 1753–62
Pier Glass Frame, in Chippendale Drawings, Vol. I, Thomas Chippendale British, Graphite
Pier Glass Frame, in Chippendale Drawings, Vol. I
Thomas Chippendale
ca. 1753–62
Chimneypiece, in Chippendale Drawings, Vol. I, Thomas Chippendale British, Graphite
Chimneypiece, in Chippendale Drawings, Vol. I
Thomas Chippendale
ca. 1753–62
Moldings for Library Bookcase, from Chippendale Drawings, Vol. II, Thomas Chippendale British, Black ink
Moldings for Library Bookcase, from Chippendale Drawings, Vol. II
Thomas Chippendale
1753

Related Content

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.