Cabinet
1680-1750 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This cabinet is fine example of furniture made in India for use by Europeans. Originally, cabinets like this would have been portable and used by European merchants and traders living and travelling in Asia. In the late 17th century, this style of two-door cabinet replaced the portable 'fall-front' cabinet as the type most usually produced in western India. This reflected a similar change in European cabinets, which increasingly became show pieces mounted on stands. Although the form of this cabinet is based on western models, its decoration derives from Mughal painting. The stand was made later in England and the decoration is of the Chinese style.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 26 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Wood and ivory |
| Brief description | Wooden cabinet inlaid with ivory, made in Gujarat or Sindh, 1680-1750. Wooden stand inlaid with ivory, English, 1750s |
| Physical description | Wooden cabinet on stand. This two-door cabinet opens up to reveal 22 drawers inside. The front of the cabinet is decorated with Mughal style floral motifs. The drawers are decorated with figures. The stand is decorated with a geometric Chinese design. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | In the late 17th century two-door cabinets replaced portable 'fall-front' cabinets as the type most usually produced in western India. This reflected a similar change in European cabinets, which increasingly became show pieces mounted on stands. Although the form of this cabinet is based on western models, its decoration derives from Mughal painting. The stand was made later in England and the decoration is of the Chinese style.(2005) |
| Credit line | On loan from Dr and Mrs A Poteliakhoff |
| Production | Cabinet made in Gujarat or Sindh, Stand made in England |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This cabinet is fine example of furniture made in India for use by Europeans. Originally, cabinets like this would have been portable and used by European merchants and traders living and travelling in Asia. In the late 17th century, this style of two-door cabinet replaced the portable 'fall-front' cabinet as the type most usually produced in western India. This reflected a similar change in European cabinets, which increasingly became show pieces mounted on stands. Although the form of this cabinet is based on western models, its decoration derives from Mughal painting. The stand was made later in England and the decoration is of the Chinese style. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | LOAN:POTELIAKHOFF.1 to 27 |
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| Record created | May 22, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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