Not currently on display at the V&A

Puzzle

1760s (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This dissected map is one of eight constructed from plates in the first edition (1755) of Jean Palairet's Atlas méthodique composé pour l'usage de son altesse sérénissime monseigneur le prince d'Orange et de Nassau, Stadhouder des Sept Provinces-Unies, etc. etc. etc.. They would have been cut to Lady Charlotte Finch's direction and were housed in her puzzle cabinet (B.1-2011). Palairet's atlas was a simplified version designed for educational purposes, and Lady Finch commissioned these puzzles for the children of George III, in her role as Royal Governess.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Engraving mounted on thin mahogany, cut to shape.
Brief description
Dissection puzzle of the continent of Asia, 1760s, engraving mounted on mahogany, from Lady Charlotte Finch's puzzle cabinet.
Physical description
Engraved map of Asia ca. 1750s, mounted on thin mahogany and cut to shape in 30 pieces.
Dimensions
  • Height: 48.7cm
  • Width: 56.5cm
Dimensions taken from complete sheet map from which the puzzle has been cut, from Such Constant Affectionate Care: Lady Charlotte Finch - Royal Governess & the Children of George III. Los Angeles: The Cotsen Occasional Press, 2003.
Production typeUnique
Credit line
Presented by Art Fund jointly to the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Historic Royal Palaces
Historical context
Lady Charlotte Finch (1725-1813) was governess to the children of King George III for 30 years from 1762-1792. In this time, she oversaw 14 of the king and queen's 15 children.
Subjects depicted
Place depicted
Association
Summary
This dissected map is one of eight constructed from plates in the first edition (1755) of Jean Palairet's Atlas méthodique composé pour l'usage de son altesse sérénissime monseigneur le prince d'Orange et de Nassau, Stadhouder des Sept Provinces-Unies, etc. etc. etc.. They would have been cut to Lady Charlotte Finch's direction and were housed in her puzzle cabinet (B.1-2011). Palairet's atlas was a simplified version designed for educational purposes, and Lady Finch commissioned these puzzles for the children of George III, in her role as Royal Governess.
Bibliographic reference
Shefrin, Jill. Such Constant Affectionate Care: Lady Charlotte Finch - Royal Governess & the Children of George III . Los Angeles: The Cotsen Occasional Press, 2003
Collection
Accession number
B.3-2011

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Record createdNovember 24, 2011
Record URL
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