Thomas the trend setter!Thomas Chippendale was a furniture designer and cabinet maker in Britain over 200 years ago when George III was King. He made furniture for many wealthy people including Lord Irwin at Temple Newsam House.

In 1754 he published a book of his designs, known as ‘The Gentleman and Cabinet Maker’s Director’ and furniture designers have copied his ideas ever since! The book showed 4 main styles; Classical, Chinese, French and Gothick.

Follow this trail and learn how to be a style spotter!

Mr Wood’s Library

Furniture Find!Mr Wood, former owner of Temple Newsam House enjoyed using this room as a library. Today it contains some of Chippendale’s furniture.

Look! Can you spot the furniture made by Chippendale?

The writing desk in the centre of the room was originally made for Edwin Lascelles at Harewood House in around 1770. Why not visit Harewood and find the Chippendale furniture there!

Amazing motifsChippendale used pictures or symbols called ‘motifs’ on his designs.

How many motifs can you find? Tick the boxes.

Chippendale TrailTemple Newsam House

ClassicalThese motifs have a ‘classical’ style, reminding people of Ancient Greece or Rome. Can you find other objects or motifs linked to the classical style?

Look for eagles, obelisks, musical instruments, columns and temples, scrolls, Roman style statues, symmetrical things, lions, laurel wreaths, figures from Greek myths…

ram’s head

lyre (a Greek stringed musical instrument)

Greek key

palm leaf

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Did you know that the ‘lyre’ is a symbol for Apollo, the Greek God of music, poetry and arts. Why is it a good design to have in a library?

Make your mark!Chippendale decorated some of his furniture using marquetry.

Marquetry is a bit like doing a jigsaw! Different shaped pieces of thin wood are placed together to make a pattern. Can you find the marquetry patterns on Chippendale’s writing desk? You can also find marquetry on Chippendale’s Pier tables.

Can you think of any other ways that Chippendale was able to put pictures on his furniture?

Have a look at the carved motifs on the chairs.

Which technique do you prefer, carving or marquetry?

Draw a ‘Classical’ motif here.

Changing roomsChippendale didn’t just design chairs and desks, he supplied all sorts of furnishings for rooms such as wallpaper and room borders.

Can you find…

The Chippendale fire screen? This screen protected you from sparks from the fire and shielded you from the heat!

The Chippendale music stand? Can you spot the two wooden candle holders attached to the music stand? Why would these be important in Chippendale’s time?

Chippendale also made parrot and monkey stands and bird cages!

The Chinese RoomMove through into the Chinese room.

ChineseSome of Chippendale’s furniture was made in a ‘Chinese’ style. Although there isn’t any of Chippendale’s furniture in here, this room is full of Chinese ‘motifs’.

Can you find…

Golden dragons? A Chinese garden? A Pagoda (temple)?

What else in this room reminds you of China? Draw or write it here.

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Chippendale liked to use a Chinese criss-cross pattern in his chairs called ‘latticework’. You can see the style in the silver ‘papier maché’ border around the wallpaper! You can find a chair made by Chippendale in a Chinese style in the Grey Room on the South Wing.

The Gothick RoomFollow the visitor route to the Gothick room and test your knowledge by spotting the Classical and Chinese motifs that might have inspired Chippendale.

Great Hall the large white ‘Borghese’ vase

Terrace Room the ‘laurel’ wreath wallpaper

Terrace Room legs on the writing desk

Oak Corridor the ‘eagle’ seat at the start of the corridor

Picture Gallery the white columns on the fireplaces

The Boudoir the Chinese vase

GothickSome of Chippendale’s furniture was made in a ‘Gothick’ Style. The Gothick style reminded people of the past when Temple Newsam House was built over 500 years ago. It was inspired by old churches, castles and gardens.

Can you spot these Gothick ‘motifs’…

A pointed arch motif? A church spire motif? A window motif?

This chair is in the

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This chair is in the

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Chair ChallengeCan you find these chairs?

Both chairs are copied in a Chippendale style, one is Gothick and one Chinese. Write in which is which.

A chair is one of the most difficult pieces of furniture to make. Why do you think this is?

FrenchSome of Chippendale’s furniture was made in a ‘French’ Style. It is sometimes called modern or Rococo (say it in a French accent!).

This style was inspired by nature and includes shells, flowers, fruit, birds, icicles and rocks. Nothing was symmetrical and everything was curvy.

There is some furniture in this room in the ‘Rococo’ style. Can you find it?

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More to ExploreIf you want to find more Chippendale, visit the South Wing to see some of Chippendale’s drawings and some more of his furniture!

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