George Hepplewhite
Working from his workshop in St Giles, London, George Hepplewhite was instrumental in the introduction of French stylistic traits and influences into English furniture design. As one of the big three 18th century furniture designers George Hepplewhite’s furniture moved away from the chinoiserie of Thomas Chippendale and along with Thomas Sheraton ushered in a new cleanliness of line, relying heavily on the figuring of the wood rather than any sort of intricate carving. There are no known pieces of George Hepplewhite furniture in existence, rather his name lends itself to a style of light, elegant furniture favoured in the last quarter of the 18th century. He died before his works could be published but his wife, Alice, following in the footsteps of the commercial success of Thomas Chippendale and Thomas Sheraton published his drawings some two years after his death.
