Object Type
This drawing is probably of a stand at a major international exhibition or of one of William Watt's shop displays of Japanese-inspired furniture. It is drawn in pen and ink with watercolour, which picks out typical Japanese colours of sage green and blue. It is similar in layout to the proposed interiors that were shown in the catalogue 'Art Furniture', designed by Edward W. Godwin and manufactured by William Watt of 21 Grafton Street, London. It contained hints and suggestions on domestic furniture and decorations and was published in 1876.
Design & Designing
By the 1870s Godwin had begun to produce designs for the furniture firm of William Watt, inspired by the Japanese use of lacquer. Godwin did not directly copy Japanese examples, but combined both Chinese and Japanese influences, which can be seen in the chairs in this drawing. He also aimed to combine the simplicity and elegance he admired in Japanese art with the needs of the Victorian home.
Influence
Godwin frequently used an inverted heart or 'cloud' design, especially for the backs and sides of hanging cabinets. He found this pattern in a print of a Japanese hotel by the artist Aimé Humbert. In this drawing you can see it in the hanging cabinet at the centre of the drawing. This shape was later used in furniture made by Liberty's and became a trademark for the furniture manufacturer, Heal & Son in the 1890s.
Physical description
A drawing of an interior with designs for furniture in the Japanese style. The furniture consists of a number of chairs, tables, a wall cabinet and a footstool. The room has a green carpet and blue panelling on the walls. At the centre of the drawing is a chair, upholstered in green. On the reverse is a design for a sea-horse.
Place of Origin
England, Great Britain (made)
Date
1872-1883 (made)
Artist/maker
Edward William Godwin, born 1833 - died 1886 (artist)
Materials and Techniques
Pen and ink and water-colour on paper
Marks and inscriptions
'Anglo Japanese Designs by E.W. Godwin'
Dimensions
Height: 20 cm, Width: 29.8 cm
Object history note
The design for a brass sea-horse is also shown on p.73 of the sketchbook E.252-1963. The design was made for A. S. Wortley.
Descriptive line
Anglo-Japanese furniture designs. Pencil, pen and ink and water-colour drawing by Edward William Godwin, 1872-1883. One of 33 sheets of designs for furniture, interiors and murals.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Victoria and Albert Museum Department of Prints and Drawings and Department of Paintings, Accessions 1963 . London: HMSO, 1964.
The full text of the entry is as follows:
"GODWIN, Edward William, F.S.A. (1833-1886) […]
Sheets (33) of various papers, with designs for furniture in the Japanese and various other styles, together with designs for interiors and murals etc. 1872-83.
Inscribed by the artist with notes, measurements etc.
Pencil, pen and ink and water-colour. Various sizes
E.478-510-1963
Given by Mr. Edward Godwin, son of the Artist
The following designs relate to other sketch-books:
E.484 Circular table see E.242-1963, p.22
E.496 Chair see E.229-1963, p.77
E.506 Interior of a room E.233-1963, pp.6, 7. […]
Section of a room containing furniture in the Japanese style. On the back is a design for a sea-horse for A. S. Wortley.
E.482-1963
Note: The design for a brass sea-horse is also shown on p.73 of the sketch-book E.252-1963."
Exhibition History
The Cult of Beauty: The Aesthetic Movement 1860-1900 (Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco 18/02/2012-17/07/2012)
The Cult of Beauty: The Aesthetic Movement 1860-1900 (Musée d'Orsay 13/09/2011-15/01/2012)
The Cult of Beauty: The Aesthetic Movement 1860-1900 (Victoria and Albert Museum 02/04/2011-17/07/2011)
Labels and date
British Galleries:
In his Anglo-Japanese designs E.W.Godwin did not seek to copy Japanese examples. Instead he aimed to combine the simplicity and elegance he admired in Japanese art with the needs of the Victorian home. The furniture depicted here also shows the influence of Chinese design. [27/03/2003]
Materials
Paper; Pen and ink; Water-colour
Techniques
Drawing
Subjects depicted
Furniture; Interior; Tables; Cabinet; Footstool
Categories
Drawings; Designs; Interiors
Collection code
PDP
