The Chippendale Chair

600 Words2 Pages

In " Circles and Lines " historian John Demos writes about the shape of life across the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries covering a traditional, a transition and a more modern time period. Demos traces change through these time periods and asserts the use of a mid 18th century Philadelphia Chippendale chair to demonstrate the transition of American life from circular to linear.

According to Demos, the consumer revolution offered choices for those who could afford the Philadelphia Chippendale chair. For example, "a well-to-do tobacco planter and his wife ...would explore new possibilities for furnishing and decorating their house" . This supports the idea of free choice and moving in a pattern supporting the idea of progress. A description of the Chippendale chair would include that it is hand carved by highly skilled journeymen cabinetmakers that have fashioned ornamentation out of mahogany wood. These craftsman have added a generously padded seat for comfort, with a hand carved S-shaped wide back that's tapered down to the seat. The chair measures 36"7/8 inches in height and the seat is 23"3/4 from the floor. The front legs of the chair are carved in a ball and claw design reflecting Chinese culture, which reflected the linear movement during this time approximately the year 1750, which demonstrated moving away from the modern classical period. The Philadelphia Chippendale chair clearly symbolizes the transformation from cyclical rhythm to linear rhythm.

The Chippendale chair was not mentioned during the colonial American time period, which was defined by its recurring cycles, people were known as republicans who were fundamentally cyclical. The colonial period was, "linked to the hours of daylight; for the most pa...

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...sition of the Federalist and wanted to limit their power, he also supported the values of the French revolution. Jefferson was anti Great Britain and he fully supported the southern planters and northern farmers. These examples demonstrate Thomas Jefferson's linear way of thinking, wanting advancement along with directing our nation into exploration and newness. Clearly, Thomas Jefferson symbolizes a strong example of a moving forward as reflected in his ownership of a pair of Chippendale chairs. Thomas Jefferson was a transitional figure that maintained his linear views in both his professional and private life.

The next time you see a Chippendale chair (or resemblance there of) it will have a new meaning, you will readily recall the historical significance, the impact this chair had on shaping many lives and the profound symbolic newness that it demonstrates.

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