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

Pier Table
1775
Private Collection

This table was invoiced on 1st December 1775 for the Yellow Damask Sitting Room, whose furnishings are recorded in significant detail. Only two other rooms, State Bedroom and Dressing room, are similarly described, indicating the relative importance of these room.

According to Chippendale's bill The Yellow Damask Sitting Room was originally furnished with yellow and white japanned seat-furniture, silvered looking glasses and this stunning pier table. Although the frame is now gilded, it was originally silvered and 'highly burnished'. The marquetry work is of superlative quality inlaid with 'Emblematic Heads in ivory and finely Engraved', representing air, fire, water and earth. The woods were scorched in hot sand to create a more painterly effect to the scrolling and foliate design and the stained green woods are perhaps still as vibrant as they were in the eighteenth century, having been protected by its 'Damask Leather Covers'.

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