Pedestal Secrétaire
1830-40 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This secrétaire looks as if it might have been made in Paris in the period 1755–1765. The lyre-shaped body was fashionable in France at the time for such small, delicate writing desks. The decoration of flowers in veneers cut across the grain of small branches (‘end-grain’ or ‘bois de bout’ marquetry) was also used at the time by high- quality cabinet-makers.
However, some of the details of construction, particularly of the drawers, suggest that the secrétaire was made in London in the early 19th century. This piece is branded with the initials ‘EHB’ for the 19th-century dealer and cabinet-maker Edward Holmes Baldock. He ran a profitable business in London, selling antique furniture, glass and china and repairing and copying pieces of furniture made in Paris in the 18th century. This secrétaire was probably made between 1830 and 1845.
However, some of the details of construction, particularly of the drawers, suggest that the secrétaire was made in London in the early 19th century. This piece is branded with the initials ‘EHB’ for the 19th-century dealer and cabinet-maker Edward Holmes Baldock. He ran a profitable business in London, selling antique furniture, glass and china and repairing and copying pieces of furniture made in Paris in the 18th century. This secrétaire was probably made between 1830 and 1845.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 5 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | oak and chestnut or ash; veneered with tulipwood inlaid with bloodwood and with marquetry in kingwood; tulipwood and padouk veneer interior. Gilt-brass mounts and marble slab. |
| Brief description | Pedestal secrétaire, English, probably 1830-40, stamped by Edward Holmes Baldock |
| Physical description | Carcase of oak and chesnut or ash with drawers of oak, veneered with tulipwood inlaid with bloodwood and with floral marquetry in bois-de-bout kingwood. The interior is veneered in tulipwood and padouk. Gilt-brass mounts and marble slab. Stamped by Edward Holmes Baldock on the back of the drawer case. This small secrétaire is built as two curved cases, the cases joined by wooden pegs. A marble-topped pedestal sits on top of the upper case, a small drawer is fitted to the front of the pedestal. The upper case opens as a fall-front, behind which isa nest containing two drawers. The fall-front's writing surface is covered in green leather, tooled and gilded. The lower case is a cupboard, which opens with a single door that makes up the entire case front. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Stamped 'EHB' (Stamped on the back of the upper case) |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by John Jones |
| Object history | This secrétaire was given to the Museum by the military tailor John Jones. Mr Jones bequeathed a large collection of furniture, paintings, ceramics, metalwork, glass and books to the V&A in 1882. During his lifetime the collection was kept in his London house at number 95 Piccadilly. |
| Summary | This secrétaire looks as if it might have been made in Paris in the period 1755–1765. The lyre-shaped body was fashionable in France at the time for such small, delicate writing desks. The decoration of flowers in veneers cut across the grain of small branches (‘end-grain’ or ‘bois de bout’ marquetry) was also used at the time by high- quality cabinet-makers. However, some of the details of construction, particularly of the drawers, suggest that the secrétaire was made in London in the early 19th century. This piece is branded with the initials ‘EHB’ for the 19th-century dealer and cabinet-maker Edward Holmes Baldock. He ran a profitable business in London, selling antique furniture, glass and china and repairing and copying pieces of furniture made in Paris in the 18th century. This secrétaire was probably made between 1830 and 1845. |
| Associated objects | |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1117:1-1882 |
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| Record created | October 19, 1999 |
| Record URL |
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