Clerk's desk
possibly Thomas Chippendale (fl. 1766 - 1771 when operating without a business partner)
Category
Furniture
Date
circa 1765 - circa 1770
Materials
Mahogany, chestnut, sycamore or holly, deal, brass
Measurements
116 x 119.4 x 67 cm
Place of origin
St. Martin's Lane
Order this imageCollection
Nostell Priory, West Yorkshire (Accredited Museum)
NT 959810
Summary
A mahogany standing 'clerk's' desk, English, circa 1765-70, possibly supplied by Thomas Chippendale (fl. 1766 - 1771 when working without a business partner) or Chippendale, Haig & Co. (fl. 1771 - 1779). Having a hinged and cleated slope containing an interior fitted with drawers and pigeonholes. The front frieze faced at its top with three cockbeaded drawers, all false, and detachable when the slope is open. All above a kneehole with cockbeaded spandrels forming an arch. The kneehole flanked to either side by three cockbeaded short drawers. Both banks of short drawers lockable from the interior beneath the slope by means of long pins. All raised on four square-section legs joined by an 'H'-shaped stretchers. The legs probably once with castors. -- Possibly the piece of furniture that appears on a bill of furniture made by Chippendale for the Winn's London townhouse, 11 St James’s Square. Against the date 23rd June 1766, ‘A large Mahogany Case for papers to stand on a Frame with Drawers, Pidgeon Holes, divisions for books & c’ is described. It cost £13 10s. Made similarly to an 'artist's' table also at Nostell Priory [NT 959303].
Provenance
Date of arrival at Nostell Priory not recorded, but possibly supplied by Thomas Chippendale. Probably the 'writing desk on a frame' recorded in the 1806 and 1818 inventories in the Stone Parlour or Muniment Room - the room where it stands today. Thence by descent until sold by Christie's in the Nostell Priory Sale of 30th April and 1st May 1990, where purchased by the National Trust.
Makers and roles
possibly Thomas Chippendale (fl. 1766 - 1771 when operating without a business partner), cabinet maker possibly Chippendale, Haig & Co. (fl. 1771 - 1779), cabinet-maker
References
West Yorkshire History Centre, WYW 1352/3/3/1/5/3/63.