THOMAS Chippendale, the cabinet maker, is Otley’s most famous son. Many people think he was from London but his baptism is recorded in Otley Parish Church on June 5, 1718.

He was the son of John Chippendale, an Otley joiner. His grandfather and cousins were furniture makers and a family business had been established in the town before he was born.The young Thomas learnt furniture making from his father.

It is thought that he attended the original Grammar School in Manor Square for a time. When he was 11 his mother died and his father re-married, and had seven more children with his new wife.

Thomas began to show outstanding skills as a craftsman and was encouraged by well-to-do people in the area, including the Lascelles at Harewood House, about seven miles from Otley. Most of Thomas’s early life is a mystery. It is believed he didn’t get on with his stepmother and went to live with his Uncle Joseph, a school teacher. The cottage in which he lived at the end of Bondgate in Otley is now Chippendale’s Tea Rooms and a blue plaque can be seen above the door.

After finishing his apprenticeship at the age of 21, Thomas decided to leave for London where there would be more opportunities.

It was the Age of Elegance and France had a profound influence on style. But Chippendale was to give his name to the Golden Age of British Furniture, and his influence spread far and wide. He built up his collection of tools (saws, chisels, planes, files, etc) because a craftsman had to provide his own, and look after them. Tools were very expensive - a saw costing the equivalent of 25 hours wages. He also had to have a thorough knowledge of timber. Oak was the wood from which most furniture was made for the labouring classes. The wealthy classes, however, in order to show off their status, were more interested in walnut and mahogany, and they began to adopt this fashion from the French aristocracy. Chippendale was aware of this, and the more distinguished Rococo designs on the Continent.

In London, Thomas Chippendale emerged from obscurity and began to gain a reputation as a skilled craftsman. On May 19, 1748 he married Catherine Redshaw at the church of St Martin-in-the-Field and moved into a house in St Martin’s Lane where he also developed his business. The Chippendale name was sought after, and by 1755 he was employing 22 workmen and training the same number of apprentices.

He mixed with artists such as Gainsborough, Reynolds, and Hogarth, often in the Old Slaughter Coffee House in St Martin’s Lane. In 1754, he published his ‘Gentleman and Cabinet Maker’s Director’, the first trade catalogue dealing with furniture. It contained 160 copper plates, and was a unique, comprehensive guide to furniture design.

Thomas took furniture design to another level with exquisite carvings, and the application of the Rococo style. His book became very popular, and affluent aristocrats commissioned him to make their furniture in their refurbished mansions. The Director enhanced his reputation. Furniture makers were no longer considered as mere tradesmen. He experimented with different varnishes, and Chinese, Japanese, ancient Greek and Roman styles. He also became an upholsterer. His business employed a number of tradesmen and his logo, a chair, appeared on his shop signs.

Eighteenth century London was bustling and growing. Thomas was able to capitalise on this. But in 1755, a fire almost destroyed his business when his workshops went up in flames in St Martin’s Lane. Strong winds and mountains of timber even threatened to destroy the neighbourhood. He was insured but his 22 workmen lost their tool kits. Thomas helped them out and with charity and benevolent support they were able to get back on their feet.

The Chippendale business rose from the ashes, and a wide range of exotic furniture was added to the existing catalogue (beds, dressing tables, comodes, music stands, gentlemen’s dressing tables and ladies writing tables, etc).

His partner, James Rennie, died in 1766, and a crisis ensued as he had to pay back the whole of his investment, bringing him close to bankruptcy. He couldn’t pay his suppliers and had a cash flow problem when he was waiting for customers to pay their bills. However, he began to turn out some of his finest pieces. He also went into partnership with Robert Adams who admired the neo-classical style, which Chippendale began to master, and who was renowned for his decorative style of architecture and furniture.

After designing furniture for Nostell Priory, some of Chippendale’s most lavish commissions were requested by Harewood House, to complement Adams’ classical designs. The elegance of Harewood House not only enhanced the status of the Lascelles, but the demand for Chippendale designed furniture. Temple Newsam also displayed his quality furniture. Settlers in the New World of America started to make Chippendale replicas in Virginia and Philadelphia, to remind them of home. Thanks to Chippendale, Adams and Capability Brown, Britain was seen as the place of fashion, not France.

However, the wealthy may have benefitted from Chippendale, but he never made a fortune. When in 1779 he died of consumption, he left items valued at £28, but debts of £1,634. His son, Thomas, inherited the business and his debts, and eventually went out of business.

The lad from Otley was buried in St Martin’s, where another great Englishman, GF Handel played the organ. But Chippendale’s reputation and influence lived on, and today is still associated with quality furniture all over the world.