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

Coffin Plate, Escutcheons and Handles
1772
The Chippendale Society

Many cabinet-making and upholstery firms provided an undertaking service and often advertised 'Funerals Furnished' on their trade cards, decorating them with coffins or funerary scenes. Chippendale's only surviving trade card does not advertise this service, implying that the more prestigious firms did not need to rely on this service to help sustain their business.

This does not mean that he never offered an undertaking service and in 1968 an account for furnishing and directing Lady Bridget Heathcote's funeral in 1772 was found. It was discovered that Lady Heathcote was buried at Normanton Church in Rutland and after threats of flooding in 1971 it was deconsecrated, the vault unsealed and the contents lifted. Sixteen Georgian coffins of very decayed outer elm cases and well preserved lead caskets, lined inside with timber were removed. The Chippendale coffin was in a particularly poor state, but the coffin plate, escutchoens and handles have survived, providing the only physical evidence of his involvement in this sort of work.

It is uncertain how much of the furnishings Chippendale's firm actually made, but it is clear that he was responsible for ensuring that the coffin was elegantly styled and the funeral performed with dignity. His bill included charges for 'a large strong Lead Coffin and soldering up with Inscription' as well as 'A Brass plate of Inscription with the Coat of Arms neatly Engrav'd and Gilt Ł4'. He also provided cloaks, scarves, silk hat bands and gloves for the mourners, ostrich feathers and velvet drapes for the hearse.

Back to Miscellaneous Index

Back to Collection Index
For other furniture types

Top of Page
Chippendale at Harewood Home Page