I had looked at making a Chippendale-style wooden chair a couple years ago, and had started some drawings based on a picture from a magazine. I worked away at the design on and off for a while before finally nailing down most of the details. While I had no special affinity for Chippendale furniture, I liked the clean but detailed look of the design.
Some of the characteristics often exhibited by Chippendale chair designs include the intricately pierced back splat, shell motif, yoked top railing and cabriole legs. Another often-seen Chippendale design detail that didn't particularly strike my fancy was the ball-and-claw feet, which in fact kind of creep me out. So I used a turned foot instead, which not only looks cleaner, but reduces the heebie-jeebie factor.
The chair frame was made entirely from black cherry. I started with the top railing and back splat, which were cut to shape and hand carved. These were followed by the front legs, which had the lowest inch or so of the feet
shaped by turning in a makeshift variable-speed-drill-powered lathe setup. The upper portions of the legs were then formed with the aid of the bandsaw, spindle sander, solid and microplane rasps, spokeshaves, files and sandpaper, lots of
sandpaper. The seat rails have mortise-and-tennon joints at the front corners where they connect to the front legs. At the rear, I dowelled them to the legs instead to make sure enough rear leg material remained so the joints didn't compromise the leg strength too much. The top rail and back splat are dowelled in place for strength as well. The seat consists of a wooden frame with a webbed bottom for a bit more give, foam for padding, and a leather cover. More detail can be seen
here.
| Material: | Black cherry |
| Finish: | 3 coats Miniwax Wipe-On Poly, Clear Satin |
| Size: | 21" w x 23" d x 38" h |
| time: | 150 hours |
| Done: | April 18, 2009 |
