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

Tea Table
c.1773
The Earl & Countess of Harewood, & the Trustees of the Harewood House Trust

John Walker, a joiner from the Harewood village, made this handsome mahogany tea table and Christopher Theakstone of Doncaster carved the decorative work to the stem and legs. They were both employed by Chippendale to make three of these tables and were provided with designs, which remarkably survive to this day and can be seen here. It was probably more cost effective for Chippendale to employ local craftsmen to produce the inexpensive and more practical pieces of furniture, which were intended for more general use in the house. John Walker also supplied a variety of fairly inexpensive items including dressing chests, chairs, stools, 'a table with a fret inlaid round the top' and stands . The tea tables are the only items, however, which are referred to in any detail. A bill dated 17th June 1773 describes Christopher Theakstone's carved work:

'Carving a Set of Feet for round table with Lion feet Ł0.18.0
A do with Eagles feet & the Mouldings enriched Ł1.10.0
A Do with Scrole foot a rafled leaf and Mouldings enriched Ł1. 5.0
A Do with a plain Scrole foot & the Mouldings enriched Ł0.10.0
A Do with Eagles feet & the Mouldings enriched Ł1.10.0'

The large table top lifts up vertically, allowing it to be neatly stored against the wall when not in use.

Back to Tables & Desks Index

Back to Collection Index
For other furniture types

Top of Page
Chippendale at Harewood Home Page