A mahogany knee-hole desk attributed to Thomas Chippendale.

London, St Martins Lane, Circa 1775.

The attribution rests with the existence of an identical "Bureau dressing table" made for the Buff bedroom at Paxton House, Berwick upon Tweed.

The block work feet and red oxide wash on the carcase as well as the short grain kickers and canted drawer stops are all typical of Chippendale's workshop practices, all the original brass axe head handles are also present.

Chippendale was born in Yorkshire but moved to London in his twenties and came under the patronage of Lord Burlington. By 1753 he had a workshop in St Martin's Lane and released his highly influential pattern-book "The Gentleman and Cabinet maker's Director" in 1754. It was the first trade catalogue of its kind and was reissued twice in the next eight years. 

He is known as a supplier of important pieces to Nostell Priory, Harewood House, Kenwood House, Blair Castle, Dumfries House and Paxton house.  

Paxton house is attributed to James Adam (possibly with John Adam), it was built between 1758 and 1766, under the supervision of James Nisbet, with extensive interiors (c1773) by Robert Adam and furniture by Thomas Chippendale.

H:84.5 W:97 D:56 cm

H:33.3 W:38.2 D:22 inches