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

Sideboard Suite
Table, Cellaret, Pedestal & Urn
c.1771
The Earl & Countess of Harewood, & the Trustees of the Harewood House Trust

Prior to 1760 little emphasis had been placed on the dining room as a State reception room and Adam was the first to introduce specially designed furniture, i.e. the sideboard suite, to make it a more convenient eating place. Chippendale was quick to adopt this as part of his repertoire at both Harewood and Paxton. The suite here is the grandest of the two, decorated with highly chased ormolu mounts on a rosewood ground inlaid with striking fan shaped lunettes, which corresponded with Adam's design for the ceiling and two apses either side of the fireplace. Adam's interior was removed in the 1840's and a grand Victorian ceiling installed by Charles Barry. His drawing's do, however, survive and the decorative relationship between ceiling and furniture can clearly be seen.

The two pedestal's mounted with urns are perhaps the most intriguing of the whole suite. Although highly decorative pieces, they served a utility function: the two urns are lead lined providing the facility of rinsing glasses; one pedestal, also lead lined, was meant for holding hot coals to keep the dinner plates warm; the other pedestal was used as a pot cupboard. The lead lined cellaret was designed for keeping the wine cool and is one of Chippendale's most sumptuous pieces. The lid itself is a wonderful example of the superb craftsmanship typical of Chippendale's workshop. It is skillfully carved to imitate the fan shaped lunette found in the marquetry work of the table and two pedestals, and is mounted with an ormolu paterae. Robert Adam noted that the English were 'accustomed by habit, or induced by the nature of our climate' to indulge more largely in the enjoyment of the bottle, which is why perhaps greater emphasis was placed on the appearance of the cellaret.

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