The House of Miniatures

THoM Product # 40032 - Chippendale Hanging Shelf

Catalog Description: Our elegant miniature is made of mahogany, as was the original, which was used as a bookcase in the offices of the Royal Governor of Virginia. Four shelves and two drawers are supported by a frame of delicate fretwork. 3 1/2"h x 3"w x 5/8"d.

Circa: 1760

Style: Chippendale

Period: Colonial

Design © 1978

This hanging shelf, originally was, and also in our miniature, made of mahogany. The shelves and two convenient drawers are supported on each end by a frame of delicate fretwork. Chippendale designed many styles of hanging shelves which ranged from the delicately carved, such as this version, to the elaborately mitered Chinese designs. These shelves had a multitude of uses. The particular one we have copied was used as a bookcase in the offices of the Royal Governor of Virginia in the early 18th century. Others had a more humble application. As trade with the Far East increased and the Chinese motif became prevalent these lacy, delicate shelves became the ideal place to display the fine porcelain, and enamel vases and statuary brought home from China by our newly developing merchant fleet. The finish on shelves such as was often in the rich dark mahogany finish typical of the furniture of the period, but later it was not uncommon to see them japanned or painted. Since the usefulness of these shelves didn't diminish with time, many are to be seen in museums across the country and some are still in use in homes today.

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