Trade card of John Brown, Chairs and Cabinet-work, at the Three Cover'd Chairs & Walnut Tree, St. Paul's Church Yard, London 1742 - 1761

This trade card was designed by Joseph Champion in the mid-18th century to advertise the wares of John Brown, a London chair maker. It is made with ink on paper. What is most striking is the graphic exuberance of the card, with its Rococo flourishes and promise of the latest fashions. Note the careful description of materials: chairs are made “either Cover’d, Matted or Cand,” cabinet work is done in mahogany, and window blinds are painted on canvas, silk, or wire. This was an era when the burgeoning middle class was hungry for consumer goods. This card offers us a glimpse into the material world of 18th century London, reminding us that even the most decorative objects were once the product of skilled labor, and desire for status. Champion's design elevated Brown's trade, blurring the boundaries between commerce and art, inviting customers into a world of elegance and refinement through the promise of expertly crafted furnishings.