No. 7 on Plate [LVI.], which may be of mahogany, or japanned, has a cane bottom in the original design, and “should have a cushion of linen, leather, etc.”
Some of Heppelwhite’s carved chair-backs are square, and anticipate those of Sheraton represented on Plate [LXII.]; but he was fonder of the shield form. Backs of this shape were covered as in No. 5, Plate [LVI.], or had carved and open-backs, as the other examples shown on the same Plate.
Of chairs he writes:
“Chairs in general are made of mahogany, with the bar and frame sunk in a hollow, or rising in a round projection with a band or list on the inner and outer edges. Many of these designs are enriched with ornaments proper to be carved in mahogany. Mahogany chairs should have the seats of horsehair, plain, striped, chequered, etc., at pleasure, or cane bottoms with cushions, the cases of which should be covered with the same as the curtains.
“For chairs, a new and very elegant fashion has arisen within these few years, of finishing them with painted or japanned work, which gives a rich and splendid appearance to the minuter parts of the ornaments, which are generally thrown in by the painters. Several of these designs are particularly adapted to this style, which allows a framework less massy than is requisite for mahogany, and by assorting the prevailing colour to the furniture and light of the room, affords opportunity, by the variety of grounds which may be introduced, to make the whole accord in harmony, with a pleasing and striking effect to the eye. Japanese chairs should have cane bottoms, with linen or cotton cases over cushions to accord with the general hue of the chairs.”
The full drawing on Plate [LVI.] is “an easy chair,” which Heppelwhite calls also a “Saddle Check,” the “construction and use of which is very apparent: they may be covered with leather, horsehair, or have a linen case to fit over the canvas stuffing, as is most usual and convenient.”
Chairs with stuffed backs he called “cabriole.” No. 5, on Plate [LVI.], is labelled a “cabriole chair.” Heppelwhite assures us that it “is of the newest fashion.” It consists of a shield-shaped back; a little cushion upon the arm, fastened by means of tiny nails; and a leg composed of reeds bound with ribbon, surmounted by the square patera that hides the joining.
PLATE LV
Twelve designs of chair backs, resembling chairs of the Sheraton style, are “proper to be executed in mahogany or japan; some of them applicable to the more elegant kind of chairs with back and seats of red, or blue, morocco leather; in these backs, which are sometimes made a little circular, are frequently inserted medallions, printed or painted on silk of the natural colours; when the backs and seats are of leather, they should be tied down with tassels of silk or thread.”