Chippendale furniture in Christie’s London Collections sale

Examples of furniture by Thomas Chippendale will feature in Christie’s London Collections online sale this October, with browsing available on October 4, and open for bidding from October 9 to 23.

The sale will include property from the Earl of Harewood and the 7th Earl of Harewood’s Will Trust, from Harewood House in Leeds.

Recognised as one of England’s most splendid stately homes Harewood House, was built and furnished for Edwin Lascelles (1712-1795) between 1760 and 1780, with some of the greatest architects and craftsmen of the time engaged on the project such as John Carr and Robert Adam.

The most celebrated cabinetmaker in British history, Thomas Chippendale, was commissioned to furnish and decorate the entirety of the house in his largest and most important commission, from which the sale presents a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire items.

The works being offered are led by armchairs and window seats, which were supplied to the 1st Baron Harewood (1712-95) that have remained in the collection, the latter probably supplied for Lady Harewood’s Dressing Room.

A suite of four, green-painted and parcel-gilt open armchairs by Thomas Chippendale, c. 1770-1772, estimated at £100,000-200,000 is one of the standout lots in the sale. Elsewhere, a mid-18th century Louis XV ormolu-mounted Japanese black and gilt lacquer bureau de pente by Jacques Duboid commands £100,000-150,000; while a pair of George III parcel-gilt and blue-painted window seats by Thomas Chippendale c,1770-1772 has hopes of £50,000-100,000.

A pair of royal Louis XV ormolu wall-lights, attributed to Jacques Caffieri c.1750 could light up the saleroom with its estimate of £50,000-80,000.