Table thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Table

ca. 1860-1870 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The collection of French 18th-century furniture became a mania among rich connoisseurs throughout Europe and America in the middle of the 19th century. John Jones, who left this table to the V&A in 1882, was among the most celebrated collectors. At this time furniture in the style of the 18th century was both reproduced and faked, and many collectors bought quite new objects thinking that they were more than a century older.

The decoration of this small table is in the style of the marquetry produced by Roger Vandercruse (RVLC) and by Charles Topino, both of whom worked in Paris in the 1760s. John Jones probably thought that it had been made at that date. Although the table is a good copy of such pieces, the exceptionally thin veneers are machine cut. This is typical of 19th-century work, as is the use of ‘stringing’ – narrow lines of veneer outlining the panel.


Object details

Category
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Table
  • Drawer
Materials and techniques
Carcase of oak and sycamore, veneered in purplewood, boxwood and tulipwood, with marquetry of holly, purplewood, sycamore (stained in parts), pearwood, hornbeam; mounts of gilt bronze; writing surface of leather
Brief description
Small oval table on tall cabriole legs, veneered with floral marquetry in the style of Roger Vandercruse (RVLC) or Charles Topino; French, about 1860-80
Physical description
Small oval table on tall cabriole legs, veneered with floral marquetry. Writing surface of red leather.
Dimensions
  • Weight: 10kg
  • Height: 67cm
  • Width: 57.5cm
  • Depth: 39cm
Dimensions taken from Carolyn Sargentson's catalogue
Marks and inscriptions
(Underside of drawer has remains of old label)
Credit line
Bequeathed by John Jones
Object history
In the collection of John Jones before 1882
Production
Made in 1860-1870 in Paris, in the style of RVLC or Topino
Subjects depicted
Summary
The collection of French 18th-century furniture became a mania among rich connoisseurs throughout Europe and America in the middle of the 19th century. John Jones, who left this table to the V&A in 1882, was among the most celebrated collectors. At this time furniture in the style of the 18th century was both reproduced and faked, and many collectors bought quite new objects thinking that they were more than a century older.

The decoration of this small table is in the style of the marquetry produced by Roger Vandercruse (RVLC) and by Charles Topino, both of whom worked in Paris in the 1760s. John Jones probably thought that it had been made at that date. Although the table is a good copy of such pieces, the exceptionally thin veneers are machine cut. This is typical of 19th-century work, as is the use of ‘stringing’ – narrow lines of veneer outlining the panel.
Bibliographic references
  • Brakett, Oliver, Catalogue of the Jones Collection, vol. III, Furniture. London: HMSO, 1922, no.26, pl. 16
  • Boutemy, André, Meubles Français Anonymes du XVIIIe Siècle. Brussels: Editions de l'Université de Bruxelles, 1973, pp. 241-2.
  • F. Hamilton Jackson, 'Museum Specimens as a Help to Designers and Manufacturers III', The Furnisher, July 1900, vol. I, p.321.
Collection
Accession number
1070:1-1882

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Record createdOctober 19, 1999
Record URL
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