The Harewood Library Writing Table

The table was made by the firm of Thomas Chippendale the elder for the Library at Harewood House c1772. It was one of the earliest major items of Chippendale's greatest commission which ran for over 30 years and was probably the most extravagant furnishing campaign of any English country house of the 18th century.

It was the only piece of furniture intended to remain permanently in the centre of the room and is conceived as a classical triumphal arch with richly ornamented pilasters, frieze, and cornice. The decoration of the surface is in the very recently-revived taste for marquetry: creating 'pictures' with inlaid woods of different colours and shades. The table, with its matching library steps and japanned chairs were a brilliant complement to Robert Adam's elegant interior.

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