Although this secretaire was invoiced by Chippendale on 12th November 1773, it is not listed anywhere in the 1795 inventory. However, an almost identical secretaire remains in the house today, which was listed in the State dressing room. It is decorated with marquetry work rather than laqcuer ware, but otherwise the two pieces are identical in shape and form. It is thought that Edwin Lascelles rejected the lacquered piece and insisted on an identical marquetry piece to be made instead.
Chippendale describes this piece in his bill as 'A Lady's Secretary vaneer'd with you own Japann with additions of Carved Ornaments &c Japann'd & part Gilt, the front of the Secretary to rise with Ballance Weights'. Edwin Lascelles supplied Chippendale with these lacquer panels, imported from the East, who then made up the secretaire cutting the panels to fit the design of the piece.
Lacquer ware was extremely difficult to obtain in the 18th century, which was imported from the East. The English East India Company only purchased tea, silk and porcelain, but allowed it's employees to trade privately and it was from this trading that lacquer ware, amongst other goods, came into this country. However, only a limited number of these goods were actually imported and did not increase sufficiently to satisfy demand. Lacquer ware was consequently extremely expensive to obtain and furniture made up using panels from Oriental screens and cabinets was considered suitable for only the best rooms like the State Bedroom. The technique of veneering cabinets with Oriental lacquer was favoured by French ebenistes and rarely employed in England where patrons were expected to provide their own facing panels.
Lady's Secretaire
c.1773
Leeds Museums and Galleries (Temple Newsam)
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