An important George III parcel-gilt Chinese black lacquer-mounted and japanned clavichord attributed to Thomas Chippendale circa 1775

Almost certainly commissioned by Hugh, 1st Duke of Northumberland (1712-1786) or Elizabeth, 1st Duchess of Northumberland (1716-1776)
Thence by descent and recorded at Syon House by 1929
Hugh Algernon Percy, 10th Duke of Northumberland, K.G. (removed from Syon House)
Sotheby's, London October 7, 1966, lot 79 (£1,200 to Cook)
With Mallett, London
With Hotspur, London
The Collection of Gordon and Ann Getty
Sotheby's, New York, October 22, 1999, lot 457
Sotheby's, London, July 3, 2003, lot 130
Hotspur, London, June 14, 2004

Helen Magdalen Percy, Duchess of Northumberland, Syon House, Middx and its contents, privately printed, 1929, no. 150 (the piano photographed on its own) and no. 195 (in situ in an upstairs corridor at Syon).
Lanto Synge, Mallett Millennium, London, 1999, p. 14, fig. 7
Hotspur, London, advertisement, 2004

Overall good restored condition with some very minor lifting and bubbling to veneered sides. The lacquer is stable and solid; the faces of the figures are nicely drawn; drawer to left side with a chip to the left edge; some very minor thin age cracks to lacquer of side panels over lines of construction. Please note that the lacquer has not been viewed under UV light. It is probable that the lacquer has undergone some restoration and some re-touching over its long history, the fragile nature of the surface makes this highly likely. There has been some re-touching to the parcel-gilt decoration. Central cupboard lock is sticky. Feet in good condition with some old losses to some leaf tips. Restorations to the musical mechanism; please note that we do not guarantee the mechanism and would suggest that you consult a musical instrument conservator. The mechanism is in a restored state but may well require further attention. A fascinating piece with superb documented provenance, it also works effectively as a decorative side cabinet.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The Northumberland’s were amongst the greatest collectors and patrons of the 18^th century. They commissioned work from a wide and varied body of leading artists, architects and craftsman which included such luminaries as Robert Adam, Canaletto, Capability Brown and Joshua Reynolds (who painted their portraits). Their central London home, Northumberland House, just off Trafalgar Square was a showcase for their possessions, many of which were acquired on European Grand Tours. Each of their homes was extensively re-worked by the couple and a reflection of their taste illustrating well their passion for all at the vanguard of contemporary thought and fashion. Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, through Robert Adams transformation of this ancient family seat, became a ‘picturesque’ Gothic Palace in the late 1770s. Adam re-worked the interiors of Syon, the Northumberlands great house in Middlesex, in a sublime exercise of geometry, color and light, the perfect backdrop for Antiquities and exquisite furniture, by many of the best designers of day, newly acquired by the Duke and Duchess.

The vogue for furniture veneered with Chinese lacquer panels taken from screens depicting oriental landscapes and figures was a curious survival in the strict neo-classical interiors designed by Robert Adam and his contemporaries. Most of the known examples were created for bedrooms and ladies dressing rooms or closets, such as the two commodes supplied to Robert Child for the State Bedroom and Etruscan Dressing Room at Osterley, which are richly decorated with oriental scenes in gold on black ground, and ornamented with burnished gold carved ornament in the neo-classical taste. Until recently, the maker of these exceptional pieces was unknown, when the re-appearance of a similarly conceived upright example made for Mrs. Child which was identical with one supplied by Thomas Chippendale to Edwin Lascelles for the State Bedroom at Harewood House in 1773, confirmed the maker as Chippendale. As at Osterley, this room was designed to conform with the rest of the decoration. The form and decoration of the present clavichord would therefore not have been seen as strange in the neo-classical interiors at nearby Syon or at Northumberland House. Importantly the 1st Duke of Northumberland and the 1st Duchess of Northumberland appear separately in the names of subscribers to Chippendales Directory of Designs published in 1754.