Chippendale chair (The Pretext)

Chippendale describes a special design of furniture which became popular in the end of the 18^th century. The Chippendale style is named after its creator Thomas Chippendale, an English cabinet maker. Chippendale is a mixture of Rococo, Gothic and Chinese. This mixture of styles produced s-shaped curves, pointed arches, pagoda (typical Chinese style) gables and fretwork design. In modern times houses are still equipped with Chippendale furniture because it is attractive, convey a classic feeling and are resistant and long-lasting if they are original and maintained properly. Of course, they are often reproduced because the original furniture from the 18^th century is not easy to get. The reproductions made of mahogany nevertheless look like the originals. Mahogany Chippendale furniture lasts longer if it is not placed in sunlight, near radiators or fireplaces. Further, the owner should use coasters to avoid damaging the wood and polish it regularly (Everything you need to know about Chippendale furniture, 2012).

In “The Pretext”, Mrs. Margaret Ransom has “slippery Chippendale chairs” (Lewis, 1968, p. 645) in her drawing room. The reader can imagine that they are upholstered in leather or satin and therefore slippery when somebody sits on them however, it is not clear why they are slippery. Furthermore, it is unknown if Edith Wharton had a special interest in the Chippendale design, but while reading the short story the Chippendale design seems fitting in the university setting and in the drawing room of Mrs. Margaret Ransom.

Edith Wharton and her husband built a house, “The Mount”, in Massachusetts (Wright, 1998, p. 75) which was also equipped with Chippendale style furniture and other pieces of furniture which may influenced Edith Wharton’s description of rooms in her short stories as well as in “The Pretext”. The second picture above shows a picture taken at “The Mount” in the library. There are Chippendale chairs and a desk, too. The reader can imagine that the rooms at the Ransom’s house in Wentworth could probably look similar to this.

Sources:

Lewis, R. W. B. (1968). The Collected Short Stories of Edith Wharton. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.

Wright, S. B. (1998). Edith Wharton A to Z: The Essential Guide to the Life and Work. New York: Facts on File.

“Everything you need to know about Chippendale furniture”. architecture art designs, 2012, https://www.architectureartdesigns.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-chippendale-furniture/. Accessed May 17, 2021.