Pole firescreen

This is one of a pair of firescreens commissioned for the Saloon at Harewood House in the early 1770s. They were recorded in the 1795 inventory as ‘2 Fire Screens with Blue & Gold stands'. The other screen is still at Harewood House. By the 1980s both were incomplete, missing both screens and poles, and it is thought they had been regilded all over by the London firm of Trollope & Co. in 1851. Before being acquired by the Chippendale Society the screen had spent many years in a store over the Harewood joiner's shop. One foot was missing, as were several circular paterae, and these were carved and replaced by Dick Reid, who also made the new pole, finial and screen frame, which was copied from the contemporary example supplied by Chippendale to Newby Hall. The tapestry panel was acquired later; it is identical to one used on a screen supplied by Chippendale for Dumfries house in 1759. Repairs and new carving were funded by the Sir George Martin Trust (£750) and the Yorkshire Museum Service at a total cost of £1,069. The Sir George Marin Trust also gave £750 towards conserving and restoring the blue and gold finish, and further contributions for this work, carried out by Mac & Me, came from the Sam Chippindale Foundation (£1,000).

This item is owned by The Chippendale Society. Explore the Society’s website and collections by clicking the external link below.