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

Shaving Table
c.1769-70
The Earl & Countess of Harewood, & the Trustees of the Harewood House Trust

This shaving table was probably made for Goldsborough Hall and contains a ceramic bowl for holding water.

It is painted green and decorated with gilded chinoiserie scenes in imitation of the black lacquer ware imported from the East, which was highly sought after. Only two other patrons, Sir Edward Knatchbull at Mersham Le Hatch and Sir Rowland Winn at Nostell Priory, ordered similar green japanned bedroom furniture. The fashion for chinoiserie was however very popular, in particularly for ladies bedrooms, and had been since the importation of Chinese and Japanese goods began in the 17th century. It reached it's peak in the mid 18th century with the emergence of the rococo style and continued with the Neo-classical style as can be seen here.

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