Temple Newsam House (south wing), Colton, Leeds, England, home of the Chippendale Society's Collection, seen from Temple Newsam Park.
The Chippendale Society is a registered charity in Britain,[1] that works to preserve and promote the heritage of Thomas Chippendale, one of Britain's most notable furniture makers.[2] The society was founded in 1965 in Otley in Yorkshire, England, Chippendale's home town. Its mission is to advance public education[1] in the matter of British craftsmanship, specifically Georgian, and particularly that of Thomas Chippendale whose designs and methods are still employed today.[3][4]
The society, governed by a board of twelve trustees, owns a collection of Chippendale furniture and memorabilia, which is kept at Temple Newsam House in Leeds,[5] and has access to other Chippendale collections, at Harewood House and Dumfries House. Chippendale furniture is highly valued; a padouk cabinet that was auctioned by Christie's in 2008 sold for £2,729,250 (US$5,324,763).[6]
In January 2013 the BBC produced a series entitled "Carved With Love; The Genius of British Woodwork",[7] the second episode of which featured Chippendale's life, work and influence.[8]
