Unfinished Design for a Bed, in Chippendale Drawings, Vol. I 1748 - 1758

This is Thomas Chippendale’s “Unfinished Design for a Bed,” created sometime in the 18th century using pen and ink. Chippendale was a renowned English cabinet maker during a time of immense social change. The Rococo style which he often employed, with its emphasis on elaborate ornamentation, speaks to the lavish lifestyles of the British aristocracy. Consider for a moment the historical context, including the rise of the British Empire and its reliance on exploited labor. How might the opulence of this bed design relate to those realities? Who would have slept in this bed? What dreams might they have had, and what role did their social position play in shaping those dreams? The intricate details and the sheer scale of the design speak to a world of privilege, and perhaps even of moral compromise. While undeniably beautiful, this design invites us to reflect on the complex relationship between luxury, labor, and power.