This suite of eighteen chairs was made for the Music room alongside two sofas and three window stools. They were originally japanned green and gold and although not mentioned in Chippendale's bill, the foliate apron under the seat rail is clearly related to the carved work of the pier table's frame.
They are relatively simple chairs, but they follow a standard design frequently used by Chippendale, who made slight alterations to create individual suites of seat furniture. They are very similar to a set of chairs made for William Constable's London house (now displayed at Burton Constable) and to a set ordered for the drawing room at Saltram House. This recycling and adaptation of successful designs can be found throughout all of Chippendale's work, in particular his chairs.
Fourteen of the chairs are covered and sprung in later upholstery, whilst the remaining four are entirely gilt and covered in the sixth Earl of Harewood's needlework tapestry of exotic birds.
Chair
c.1770
The Earl & Countess of Harewood, & the Trustees of the Harewood House Trust
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