Thomas Chippendale at Harewood House. A celebration of the life and work of Thomas Chippendale - Master Furniture Maker. Presented by Harewood House Trust.

Library Writing Table
c.1772
Leeds Museums and Galleries (Temple Newsam)

Originally made for the Old Library, this magnificent table was the centrepiece of the room and was recorded in the 1795 inventory as 'One large inlaid Library Table with Brass ornaments'. By 1802 when John Jewel recorded his visit to Harewood House, it had moved to the Gallery where a similar table made by Chippendale's son was also located.

The main carcass of the piece is oak, mahogany and pine, veneered in rosewood and inlaid with various exotic woods. The brightly coloured woods used in the design of the marquetry work, now somewhat faded and subdued, probably echoed the colours of the cabriole chairs, blue and yellow, as well as Robert Adam's scheme for this room. The various decorative elements of the marquetry work and ormolu mounts, like the rosette along the frieze and anthemion, are repeated in Adam's ceiling creating a harmonious room scheme.

It was designed to be of practical use, being fitted with three drawers in the frieze and two cupboards in each pedestal, which contain sets of three drawers on one side and pigeon holes and vertical folios on the other. Less sumptuous furniture was generally made for libraries in the eighteenth century and although this table is considered to be one of Chippendale's finest pieces of marquetry work, the inlaid furniture supplied for the grander principal rooms at Harewood is of superior quality.

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