Dressing Table
ca.1900 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This Edwardian actor's dressing table was built to be portable. Although made of oak it is still relatively light due to its thin legs, and because the marble surface used for the make-up, brushes and toiletries, or for resting a wash-basin, is relatively small.
It has a drawer compartment under the adjustable mirror, and another compartment under the marble slab which stored make-up and toiletries. Towels could be hung on the metal rails on either side. Because of its height, and the fact that the mirror can be raised, it appears that this was designed to be used while the actor was standing up. Given the basic nature of many theatre dressing-rooms in the early 19th century, a portable stand like this would have been very useful, as an actor could move to the best position for light.
It has a drawer compartment under the adjustable mirror, and another compartment under the marble slab which stored make-up and toiletries. Towels could be hung on the metal rails on either side. Because of its height, and the fact that the mirror can be raised, it appears that this was designed to be used while the actor was standing up. Given the basic nature of many theatre dressing-rooms in the early 19th century, a portable stand like this would have been very useful, as an actor could move to the best position for light.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Oak, mirror glass and metal |
| Brief description | Portable dressing table or make-up stand used by an actor. Edwardian, oak. Given by R.H. Whetton Esq. |
| Physical description | Oak dressing table with a wood-framed mirror on adjustable metal support above a drawer unit which is in turn above a marble-topped shelf which features a compartment below. The dressing table features metal towel rails on each side. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by R. H. Whetton. |
| Summary | This Edwardian actor's dressing table was built to be portable. Although made of oak it is still relatively light due to its thin legs, and because the marble surface used for the make-up, brushes and toiletries, or for resting a wash-basin, is relatively small. It has a drawer compartment under the adjustable mirror, and another compartment under the marble slab which stored make-up and toiletries. Towels could be hung on the metal rails on either side. Because of its height, and the fact that the mirror can be raised, it appears that this was designed to be used while the actor was standing up. Given the basic nature of many theatre dressing-rooms in the early 19th century, a portable stand like this would have been very useful, as an actor could move to the best position for light. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.309-1985 |
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| Record created | May 2, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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