Laura Studinski, age 15, of Monroe, La., for her question:

WHEN WAS CHIPPENDALE FURNITURE FIRST MADE?

Chippendale furniture is a fine English product that came from a famous furniture designer and cabinet maker named Thomas Chippendale. He was born in Yorkshire in 1718, the son of a carpenter.

Chippendale established a furniture factory in London in 1749 and soon gained a wide reputation for his superb designs and workmanship.

The Chippendale style combines solidity with grace and elaborate decoration, usually in Chinese, Gothic or rococo style.

Chippendale published three editions of "The Gentleman and Cabinet Maker's Director" (1754, 1755 and 1762), a book containing 160 engravings of furniture designs, which were widely copied and imitated.

In the later years of his long career, in collaboration with an architect named Robert Adam, Chippendale created his most beautiful furniture.

Chippendale is generally regarded as the most important English furniture designer.

After his death in 1779, Chippendale's business was conducted by his son, Thomas Jr.