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

Commode
1773
The Earl & Countess of Harewood, & the Trustees of the Harewood House Trust

Now famously known as the Diana and Minerva Commode, this piece was originally designed to sit in the pier between the two windows of the State dressing room. It was never intended to be functional, but was rather a piece of parade furniture used as a symbol of status and wealth. The craftsmanship of the marquetry work and gilt brass mounts is of the highest quality and the materials used the most expensive available. Chippendale only ever used, for example, ebony and ivory, seen here on the roundels of each door, for his most lavish pieces. Until recently it was believed that at Ł86 the Diana and Minerva commode was the most expensive piece of cabinet furniture ever produced in Chippendale's workshop. Further evidence, however, has revealed that a similar 'toilet commode', made for Lord Melbourne and now at Renishaw, cost Ł140 to produce. Although more expensive the 'Renishaw Commode' does not incorporate such expensive materials as ebony and ivory or the beautiful coved door found on the Harewood piece.

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