The Gentleman and Cabinet-maker's Director.

By Thomas Chippendale

Chairs

Plates XII, XIII, XIV and XV.

Are a variety of new-pattern Chairs, which, if executed according to their Designs, and by a skillful workman, will have a very good effect. The fore feet are all different for your better choice. If you think they are too much ornamented, that can be omitted at pleasure. The proper dimentions of those Chairs are one foot ten inches in the front, one foot five inches behind, and one foot five inches from the front of the back foot to the front rail; the back, one foot ten inches high; the seat one foot five high; but that is made lower according as the seat is to be stuffed.

Plates XVI.

Is three Ribband-back Chairs, which, if i may speak without vanity, are the best I have ever seen (or perhaps have ever been made.) The Chair on the left hand has been executed from this Design, which had an excellent effect, and gave satisfaction to all who saw it. I make no doubt but the other two will give the same content, if properly handled, in the execution. Their dimentions are affixed to the design.

Plates XVII, XVIII, XIX and XX.

Are eight different designs of French Elbow Chairs, of various patterns, which I hope will be of great use, if properly applied. Some of those Cairs are design'd to be open below at the seat, which greatly lightens them, and has no ill effect. The common sizes are as follows; two foot three inches in front, one foot eleven inches over behind, one foot ten inches from the front of the back to the front of the seat rail. The seat is one foot two inches high; the height of the back, from the seat, is two foot three inches; but thofe dimenfions differ according as the rooms are larger or smaller: the ornaments on the backs and seats are in imitation of tapestry or needlework. The carving may be lessened by an ingenious workman without detriment to the Chair.

Plates XXI, and XXII.

Are fix new designs of Gothic Chairs; their feet are almost all different, and may be of ufe to those that are unacquainted with this sort of work. Most of the ornaments may be left out if required. The sizes are the fame as in the preceding Chairs, and may be lessened, or enlarged, according to the fancy of the skillful artift.

Plates XXIII, XXIV, and XXV.

Are nine Chairs in the present Chinese Manner, which I hope will improve that taste, or manner of work; it having yet never arrived to any perfection; doubtlets it might be loft without feeing its beauty: as it admits of the greatest variety, I think it the most useful of any other. The sizes are all specified on the designs. The three last (No. XXV.) I hope will be well received, as there has been none like them yet made.