Extraordinary Furniture

by Linley, David

• ISBN13: 9780810932579
• ISBN10: 0810932571
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1996-09-01
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams

Summary

Extraordinary Furniture presents some of the world's most opulent, inventive, skillfully made, and unusual pieces of furniture. Author David Linley has compiled a magnificent array of objects that span the history of furniture design and craftsmanship, from the medieval period to the present day. Viscount Linley, son of England's Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon and nephew of Queen Elizabeth II, is a furniture maker and designer of international renown. He introduces the book with an essay on the strong connection between handcrafted furniture and the people who have commissioned, designed, owned, and loved it, and discusses the influence of earlier designers on his own work. Five lavishly illustrated chapters divide the furniture according to the feature that makes each piece extraordinary: extravagance, design, craftsmanship, mechanical complexity, or eccentricity. Organized chronologically to highlight the evolution of styles and manufacture, each chapter offers a series of thought-provoking combinations: the gilded elegance of Empress Josephine's bed forms a striking contrast to the purity of Shaker work; both illustrate extraordinary design. The superb photographs show the pieces in full and in close-up details, and often in their original settings. Many are from England's Royal Collection, a superb assemblage of rare and exceptional furniture. Other works are from important European and American sources, including the noted contemporary furniture designer Wendell Castle. A listing of the houses, castles, and museums where some of the furniture can be seen by the public adds to the book's value.

Table of Contents

Introduction	8	(10)
Extraordinary Extravagance
furniture of remarkable opulence and grandeur	18	(2)
The Sea Dog Table	20	(2)
Italian Tortoiseshell Table Cabinet	22	(4)
The Knole Silver Suite	26	(2)
Casket on Stand	28	(2)
Pietro Piffetti
Italian Throne Seat	30	(2)
Antonio Corradini
The Badminton Cabinet	32	(4)
The Murray Cabinet	36	(2)
John Channon
The Bureau du Roi	38	(2)
Bureau Cabinet	40	(2)
David Roentgen
Jewel Cabinet	42	(2)
Jean-Henri Riesener
Jewel Cabinet	44	(2)
J-F Schwerdfeger
The Dolphin Suite	46	(4)
Oak Half-tester Bed	50	(4)
Extraordinary Design
furniture of exemplary style	52	(2)
Japanned Boston Highboy	54	(2)
Chinoiserie Bed	56	(2)
William
John Linnell
Giltwood Sofas	58	(2)
William
John Linnell
The Craven Urns	60	(2)
The Duke of Atholl's Medal Cabinet	62	(2)
Block-fronted Desk Bookcase	64	(2)
Baltimore Lady's Desk	66	(2)
Empress Josephine's Bed	68	(4)
Shaker Built-in Storage	72	(4)
Chairs	76	(2)
Frank Lloyd Wright
Manhattan Screen	78	(4)
Extraordinary Craftsmanship
furniture of notable artistry and technical skill	80	(2)
The Coronation Chair	82	(2)
The Nerli-Morelli Cassoni	84	(4)
Steel Chair	88	(2)
Thomas Rucker
French Ebony Cabinet	90	(2)
Lignum Vitae Cabinets	92	(2)
Boulle Marquetry Cabinet on Stand	94	(4)
Chest-on-chest	98	(2)
Lemon
Mcintire
The Venus and Diana Commodes	100	(2)
Commode	102	(2)
John
Thomas Seymour
Pietre Dure Commode	104	(2)
Martin Carlin
Micro-mosaic Table	106	(2)
Achilles Taddei
Sofa	108	(2)
John Henry Belter
Chairs	110	(2)
John Makepeace
Walnut Pedestal Sideboard	112	(4)
Extraordinary Inventiveness
mechanical and multipurpose furniture	114	(2)
Sleeping Chair	116	(2)
Table a la Bourgogne	118	(2)
J-F Oeben
Metamorphic Library Steps	120	(4)
Commode Bed	124	(2)
Georg Haupt
French Cylinder-top Desk	126	(4)
Mechanical Table	130	(2)
Martin Carlin
Mechanical Desk	132	(2)
Giovanni Socci
Globe Secretaire	134	(2)
Castle Dining Table	136	(2)
Mechanical Table	138	(2)
Robert Jupe
Mechanical Table	140	(2)
Senior Carmichael
Folly Keepsake Boxes	142	(6)
Extraordinary Alternatives
furniture of eccentric design and unusual materials	146	(2)
Walnut and Stumpwork Cabinet	148	(2)
Paper Filigree Cabinet	150	(2)
Faux Bamboo Furniture	152	(2)
The Table of the Grand Commanders	154	(2)
The King of Rome's Cradle	156	(2)
Regulator Clock	158	(2)
A-L Breguet
Papier-mache Bedroom Suite	160	(2)
Antler Furniture	162	(2)
Crystal-glass Sideboard by F&C Osler	164	(2)
Grotto Furniture	166	(4)
Carved Russian Chairs	170	(2)
Dressing Table and Chairs	172	(4)
Antoni Gaudi
Cabinets and Chairs	176	(2)
Carlo Bugatti
Trompe-I'oeil Furniture	178	(2)
Wendell Castle
Yacht Fittings and Furniture	180	(4)
Glossary	184	(2)
Where to visit	186	(1)
Bibliography	187	(1)
Index	188	(4)
Acknowledgements	192