|
Thomas Chippendale’s Diana and Minerva Commode
Thomas Chippendale was commissioned by the First Earl of Harewood to design all of the furniture for Harewood House, most of which still can be found at the house today, making it the largest collection of his furniture anywhere in the world.
It is known as the Diana and Minerva Commode. Diana, the Goddess of the Moon, can be seen carrying her symbols of the bow and arrows. Minerva, the Goddess of wisdom and war, is sitting with a spear and a shield in her hand.
Before Thomas Chippendale came along in the mid 18th century English furniture had not truly come into its own. English designers were busy copying French and Italian furniture makers.
The curvature at the bottom of the commode is unique. Nobody today knows how he created the semi-circular curve in the wood; it has certainly never been repeated.
Presenter Jonathan Foyle says: "It is the finest creation of Britain’s best furniture designer."
Where can it be found? Harewood House, Yorksire.
Melissa Gallimore, curator, says: "This is Robert Adam and Chippendale working together to design every minute scheme here in Harewood."
Links:
Back to index
| 
