Extraordinary furniture

Abstract

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.

Contents

ch. 1. Extraordinary extravagance: furniture of remarkable opulence and grandeur -- The sea dog table -- Italian tortoiseshell table cabinet -- The Knoll silver suite -- Casket on stand by Pietro Piffetti -- Italian throne seat by Antonio Corradini -- The badminton cabinet -- The Murray cabinet by John Channon -- The Bureau du Roi -- Bureau cabinet by David Roentgen -- Jewel cabinet by Jean-Henri Riesener -- Jewel cabinet by J-F Schwerdfeger -- The dolphin suite -- Oak half-tester bed -- ch. 2. Extraordinary design: furniture of exemplary style -- Japanned Boston highboy -- Chinoiserie bed by William and John Linnell -- Giltwood sofas by William and John Linnell -- The craven urns -- The Duke of Atholl's medal cabinet -- Block-fronted desk bookcase -- Baltimore lady's desk -- Empress Josephine's bed -- Shaker built-in storage -- Chairs by Frank Lloyd Wright -- Manhattan screen -- ch. 3. Extraordinary craftsmanship -- The coronation chair -- The Nerli-Morelli Cassoni -- Steel chair by Thomas Rucker -- French ebony cabinet -- Lignum Vitae cabinets -- Boulle Marquetry cabinet on stand -- Chest-on-chest by Lemon and McIntire -- The Venus and Diana commodes -- Commode by John and Thomas Seymour -- Pietre Dure commode by Martin Carlin -- Micro-mosaic table by Achilles Taddei -- Sofa by John Henry Belter -- Chairs by John Makepeace -- Walnut pedestal sideboard. ch. 4. Extraordinary inventiveness: mechanical and multipurpose furniture -- Sleeping chair -- Table à la Bourgogne by J-F Oeben -- Metamorphic library steps -- Commode bed by Georg Haupt -- French cylinder-top desk -- Mechanical table by Martin Carlin -- Mechanical desk by Giovanni Socci -- Globe secretaire -- Castle dining table -- Mechanical table by Robert Jupe -- Mechanical table by Senior Carmichael -- Folly keepsake boxes -- ch. 5. Extraordinary alternatives: furniture of eccentric design and unusual materials -- Walnut and stumpwork cabinet -- Paper fillgree cabinet -- Faux bamboo furniture -- The table of the grand commanders -- The king of Rome's cradle -- Regulator clock by A-L Breguet -- Papier-mâché bedroom suite -- Antler furniture -- Crystal-glass sideboard by F & C Osler -- Grotto furniture -- Carved Russian chairs -- Dressing table and chairs by Antoni Gaudi -- Cabinets and Chairs by Carlo Bugatti -- Trompe-I'oeil furniture by Wendell Castle -- Yacht fittings and furniture.