HIGHTLIGHTS OF THE NATIONWIDE TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

A SEASON of events was launched earlier this month with an exhibition titled “Thomas Chippendale: A Celebration of British Craftsmanship and Design 1718-2018” at Leeds City Museum. Highlights include original drawings and documents, displays of materials and workmanship, and many examples of his peerless furniture, some on public display for the first time. It runs until June 9.

Paxton House in Berwickshire holds one of the world’s largest and most important collections of Chippendale furniture. “The Paxton Style – ‘Neat & Substantially Good’: Chippendale furniture at Paxton House, its influences and

legacy” runs from June 5 to August 28. Significant loans from the V&A, the National Museums of Scotland, and several private collections will be shown alongside a programme of lectures, study days, school visits, and family-friendly activities.

Harewood House, near Leeds, built for Edwin Lascelles by John Carr of York and Robert Adam, has some of the most outstanding furniture ever

produced for what was Chippendale’s most important single commission. His patron was slow at settling the bill, however, and Chippendale was almost bankrupted.

The exhibition Thomas Chippendale – Designer, Maker,

Decorator runs from March 24. Dumfries House, near Cumnock in Ayrshire, contains more than 50 pieces, the largest authenticated collection of Chippendale’s early work, including a bookcase valued at around £20million. Prince Charles saved the estate for the nation in 2007, using £20million of his charitable foundation’s money to secure the future of the house and the surrounding estate.

Experts, historians and curators will give a series of talks from March to October.

The collection of Chippendale furniture at Burton Constable Hall, near Hull in East Yorkshire, was acquired by William Constable (1721-91) as part of an ambitious scheme to re-fashion the house and park in the tastes of the day. Chippendale and the Yorkshire

Craftsman”, will focus on how local craftsmen assisted with the master’s grand schemes for a country house, tours running throughout the year. Other events include:

Interior Worlds: Thomas Chippendale at Nostell, near Wakefield, West Yorkshire, running from March – October 2018. A self-led tour of Sir Henry’s

Weston Park, Shropshire, in the house plus contemporary craftsmanship exhibitions.

The newly-conserved Panshanger Cabinets at Firle Place, near Lewes,

Sussex, on display June 3 to September 30.

The Master Carvers Association exhibition of music stands made by members, June exhibition in London. BOOKABLE tours of its Chippendale collection at Temple Newsam, Leeds, from March onwards. A programme of events in Otley, Yorkshire, Chippendale’s birthplace.