Picture Gallery Suite by James Pascall, London, 1746

This suite of twenty chairs, four settees and a day bed formed part of a larger suite commissioned by Henry 7th Viscount Irwin of Temple Newsam for the Picture Gallery, which he completely redesigned between 1738 and 1745. The entire suite is covered with wool needlework of English origin executed in tent stitch. The brightly coloured design features large naturalistic flowers and foliage, shaded to give the appearance of relief, against a greenish-gold ground. The flowers and ground are worked in opposite directions, with the centres of some blooms enhanced with French knots.

In March 1745 Sir Edward Gascoigne wrote to Lord Irwin from Cambray in France 'I think ye Tapestry-work Chairs here do look very well, & even not unworthy a place in ye handsommest Apartment in England, such as I think you are furnishing'. He went on to compare the cost of seat covers worked in England and Cambray, pointing out that London prices were nearly double and recommended that 'it might be worth my Ladys while to have a handsome design or two drawn and sent over, yr so she might have something quite new... and ye better painting ye better would his work be'. Evidently Lord Irwin chose to upholster the suite in more durable English wool needlework.

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