Extraordinary furniture

Abstract

Extraordinary Furniture presents some of the world's most opulent, inventive, skillfully made, and unusual pieces of furniture. Author David Linley has compiled a magnificent array of objects that span the history of furniture design and craftsmanship, from the medieval period to the present day. Viscount Linley, son of England's Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon and nephew of Queen Elizabeth II, is a furniture maker and designer of international renown. He introduces the book with an essay on the strong connection between handcrafted furniture and the people who have commissioned, designed, owned, and loved it, and discusses the influence of earlier designers on his own work.

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.