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

Pier Glass
1775
Private Collection

This is the only piece of Chippendale furniture to retain its original silvered finish. It was made as one of a pair for the Yellow Drawing Room and was accompanied by a number of other mirrors and tables, which were also silvered but have not retained this rare finish. Silvering is extremely susceptible to tarnishing and it is likely therefore that most of the pieces were re-gilded when the dazzling silvered appearance became dulled and lifeless.

As one of Chippendale's later pieces for the house the simplicity of design and lack of ornate peripheral carving is particularly noticeable when compared with the mirrors made slightly earlier. In accordance with the development of the Neo-classical style, Chippendale's decorative motifs like swags of flowers and leaves were abandoned for simple decoration as seen on this frame.

Invoiced on 1st December 1775, Chippendale describes the pair as '2 Exceeding neat & Rich Carved Gerandoles with ornaments and Treble Branches highly finished in burnished Silver and varnished and wrought Pans and Nossels silvered &c Ł40'.

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