Dressing-Table Unit
1953-1958 (manufactured)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This dressing-table unit is part of a G-Plan bedroom unit. The firm of E. Gomme Ltd, in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, introduced the G-Plan range of furniture in 1953. G-Plan furniture was designed so that all the individual items would be compatible in style and dimensions and marked the beginning of modular furniture for the mass market.
The chests of drawers in this bedroom unit could be freestanding, or combined with the dressing table that is suspended between them. The dressing-table unit could not be used independently and in fact was never actually installed until the Museum acquired it. The timber handles and clean lines were also used in the matching wardrobes.
G-Plan was promoted to the more affluent buyers who might be sympathetic to contemporary design ideas imported from Europe. These chests of drawers each cost £19 11s 6d and the suspended dressing table was a further £16 12s 6d. This was a considerable sum for new furniture in 1957.
The chests of drawers in this bedroom unit could be freestanding, or combined with the dressing table that is suspended between them. The dressing-table unit could not be used independently and in fact was never actually installed until the Museum acquired it. The timber handles and clean lines were also used in the matching wardrobes.
G-Plan was promoted to the more affluent buyers who might be sympathetic to contemporary design ideas imported from Europe. These chests of drawers each cost £19 11s 6d and the suspended dressing table was a further £16 12s 6d. This was a considerable sum for new furniture in 1957.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 3 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Mahogany and plywood faced with oak veneer, mirror, glass, electric light fitting |
| Brief description | Mahogany and plywood dressing-table unit, faced with oak veneer |
| Physical description | Dressing table unit, comprising of an oak-veneered top surface, hinged at the rear, that lifts to reveal a glass-lined storage compartment. The vertical front face of the unit is hinged along the lower edge and can be dropped. The underside of the lid is faced with a mirror, which is underlit from a concealed electric light source at the rear of the unit. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | DRESSING TABLE UNIT AND CHAIR
Designed and made by E. Gomme Ltd, High Wycombe
British 1953-8
Ebenezer Gomme founded a chair-making business in High Wycombe in 1898. By 1922 the company was employing 300 people. The G-plan concept was introduced around 1953 and consisted of a variety of co-ordinated home furnishings which could be built up over a period of time. These pieces were part of the 'Brandon' range and were bought at Selfridges in 1957 for £16 12s 6d.
Given by Mr C. Brookes
W.1-4-1993(1993-2006) |
| Credit line | Given by Mr C. G. Brookes |
| Production | Made by E. Gomme Ltd, under the G-plan label |
| Summary | This dressing-table unit is part of a G-Plan bedroom unit. The firm of E. Gomme Ltd, in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, introduced the G-Plan range of furniture in 1953. G-Plan furniture was designed so that all the individual items would be compatible in style and dimensions and marked the beginning of modular furniture for the mass market. The chests of drawers in this bedroom unit could be freestanding, or combined with the dressing table that is suspended between them. The dressing-table unit could not be used independently and in fact was never actually installed until the Museum acquired it. The timber handles and clean lines were also used in the matching wardrobes. G-Plan was promoted to the more affluent buyers who might be sympathetic to contemporary design ideas imported from Europe. These chests of drawers each cost £19 11s 6d and the suspended dressing table was a further £16 12s 6d. This was a considerable sum for new furniture in 1957. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.3-1993 |
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| Record created | June 13, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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