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

Deed Chest
1770
William Chippendale
The Trustees of Admiral Long's Endowed School, Burnt Yates

Chippendale, born in Otley, North Yorkshire, came from a family of carpenters and joiners, where he obtained practical experience of the traditional country woodcrafts. His cousin, William, lived in the estate village of Farnley, and is known to have been involved in felling and valuing trees as well as surveying the land.

In particular, he erected a second storey above the school house at Burnt Yates in 1767-8 and in 1770 made 'a strong wooden Chest well secured with iron clamps and three Locks . . . wherein to reposit the Deeds and other papers relating to the Trust'. This chest, shown here, is a good illustration of Thomas Chippendale's origins and the kind of work he may have been involved in before setting off for London to make his name.

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