Corner Cupboard
ca. 1780 - ca. 1785 (made), ca. 1860 - ca. 1880 (restored)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
The fashion for collecting French 18th-century furniture was widespread in the middle of the 19th century. Pieces mounted with Japanese lacquer were particularly fashionable and so strong was the demand that a lively trade in reproductions and even outright fakes soon came into being. This small set of corner shelves (shown on the left of the image) is one of a pair, collected by the London military outfitter, John Jones. It was almost certainly made in France in the 1780s. The set shown on the right of the image was probably made in England between about 1860 and 1880, to create a more saleable pair. The carcase of the 18th-century piece is in oak, whereas the 19th-century set is constructed on a mahogany carcase. The decorative panels, which look like Japanese lacquer, are mainly in a European varnish technique (confusingly known as 'japanning') on both sets, but it is possible that a few of the panels on the present piece are of genuine Japanese lacquer.
Object details
Category | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Veneered in ebony on a carcase of oak, set with panels of Japanese lacquer and japanning and with gilt-bronze mounts |
Brief description | Corner cupboard veneered in ebony on a carcase of mahogany; set with panels of japanning and with gilt-bronze mounts |
Physical description | Corner cupboard with ebony veneer on an oak carcase with a chased ormolu gallery and mounts. The top and three shelves are of white marble and with mitred panels lacquered in Japanese style. |
Dimensions |
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Credit line | Bequeathed by John Jones |
Object history | In the collection of John Jones before 1882 |
Production | This cupboard was probably restored and a pair to it made in London in 1860-80 |
Summary | The fashion for collecting French 18th-century furniture was widespread in the middle of the 19th century. Pieces mounted with Japanese lacquer were particularly fashionable and so strong was the demand that a lively trade in reproductions and even outright fakes soon came into being. This small set of corner shelves (shown on the left of the image) is one of a pair, collected by the London military outfitter, John Jones. It was almost certainly made in France in the 1780s. The set shown on the right of the image was probably made in England between about 1860 and 1880, to create a more saleable pair. The carcase of the 18th-century piece is in oak, whereas the 19th-century set is constructed on a mahogany carcase. The decorative panels, which look like Japanese lacquer, are mainly in a European varnish technique (confusingly known as 'japanning') on both sets, but it is possible that a few of the panels on the present piece are of genuine Japanese lacquer. |
Collection | |
Accession number | 1066A-1882 |
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Record created | November 16, 2007 |
Record URL |
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