Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
British Galleries, Room 125, Edwin and Susan Davies Gallery

Table

ca. 1876 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
The first example of this circular table was designed by Edward William Godwin (1833-1886) in about 1870 for his own home. The ebonised finish was inspired by Japanese woodwork, while the design of the legs is based on a Chinese stand. The table was very popular and subsequently different versions were made by various manufacturers. In 1876 a table like this cost £7.75, while a walnut version cost £7.35. Brass feet cost an extra £1.50.

People
Edward William Godwin (1833-1886) was an architect and designer. He was particularly interested in Japanese art and culture. When he began designing furniture for his own home in London in 1867, he used ideas taken from Japanese sources. He designed a circular table with eight turned legs for himself in about 1870. In 1877, Godwin collaborated with a London manufacturer, William Watt, over a catalogue, 'Art Furniture', which included the design for this table.

Time
Ebonised furniture like this table was very fashionable during the 1870s and 1880s in Britain because of the influence of Japanese designs. Circular tables were also popular because they could be used in the centre of a room with flowers, ornaments or books on them.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Ebonised wood, probably mahogany, with brass feet
Brief description
Table, ebonised wood, probably mahogany, with brass feet; designed by E.W. Godwin, Watt and possibly made by either William Watt or Collinson and Lock, British 1876-85
Physical description
Circular ebonised wood table, eight legs with turned decoration and spokes to a central pillar. The ends of the legs have brass mounts.
Dimensions
  • Height: 74cm
  • Diameter: 104.5cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 23/12/1998 by sf
Gallery label
  • Designed by E.W. Godwin (1833-1886) Made by William Watt of Collinson & Lock, London Ebonized wood with brass mounts A table of this design appears in Art Furniture; the 1877 catalogue of the furniture which Godwin designed to be manufactured by the firm of William Watt. At this time, he was also designing furniture for the firm of Collinson and Lock and refers in the preface of the catalogue to the copies which had been made of this design first made for Godwin by Watt.(1993)
  • British Galleries: The designer of this table, E.W. Godwin, was one of the most versatile artistic figures of the Aesthetic Movement. He designed buildings, interiors and a variety of objects using a wide range of sources including Japanese decoration, from which most of his furniture designs derived. In 1876, a table of this type cost £7.15s (£7.75p).(27/03/2003)
Object history
Designed by Edward William Godwin (born in Bristol, 1833, died in London, 1886)
Possibly manufactured by the firm of William Watt or by Collinson and Lock, London
Summary
Object Type
The first example of this circular table was designed by Edward William Godwin (1833-1886) in about 1870 for his own home. The ebonised finish was inspired by Japanese woodwork, while the design of the legs is based on a Chinese stand. The table was very popular and subsequently different versions were made by various manufacturers. In 1876 a table like this cost £7.75, while a walnut version cost £7.35. Brass feet cost an extra £1.50.

People
Edward William Godwin (1833-1886) was an architect and designer. He was particularly interested in Japanese art and culture. When he began designing furniture for his own home in London in 1867, he used ideas taken from Japanese sources. He designed a circular table with eight turned legs for himself in about 1870. In 1877, Godwin collaborated with a London manufacturer, William Watt, over a catalogue, 'Art Furniture', which included the design for this table.

Time
Ebonised furniture like this table was very fashionable during the 1870s and 1880s in Britain because of the influence of Japanese designs. Circular tables were also popular because they could be used in the centre of a room with flowers, ornaments or books on them.
Collection
Accession number
W.54-1980

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Record createdJanuary 5, 2000
Record URL
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