Not currently on display at the V&A

Wardrobe

1926-1927 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This wardrobe was made in London but shows the influence of fashionable Parisian furniture. At the time it was made Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann was a leading designer. Like Ruhlmann's furniture, it uses very rare materials, including shagreen (sharkskin) and ebony veneer. The handles and decorative stringing are made of ivory and even the carcase of the wardrobe is made of expensive mahogany. The wardrobe echoes ideas of Art Deco furniture from Paris.

The design is probably by J.F. Johnson, who was designing furniture for Heal & Sons at the time. The London firm is more usually associated with the Arts and Crafts style, and this wardrobe shows that it was keeping abreast of fashion in the 1920s.

The set of bedroom furniture, of which this forms part, was made for the author Dodie Smith.


Object details

Category
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 14 parts.

  • Wardrobe
  • Wardrobe
  • Wardrobe
  • Wardrobe Base
  • Shelf
  • Shelf
  • Shelf
  • Shelf
  • Drawer
  • Shelf
  • Shelf
  • Keys
  • Drawer
  • Drawer
Materials and techniques
Brief description
Wardrobe, probably designed by J.F. Johnson and made by Heals, London, 1926-7, for Dodie Smith. Part of an 11-part set, W.3-1975 to W.13-1875.
Physical description
Wardrobe in three sections, made of mahogany and veneered with ebony and shagreen, with ivory handles and stringing
Object history
Made for the author Dodie Smith
Summary
This wardrobe was made in London but shows the influence of fashionable Parisian furniture. At the time it was made Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann was a leading designer. Like Ruhlmann's furniture, it uses very rare materials, including shagreen (sharkskin) and ebony veneer. The handles and decorative stringing are made of ivory and even the carcase of the wardrobe is made of expensive mahogany. The wardrobe echoes ideas of Art Deco furniture from Paris.

The design is probably by J.F. Johnson, who was designing furniture for Heal & Sons at the time. The London firm is more usually associated with the Arts and Crafts style, and this wardrobe shows that it was keeping abreast of fashion in the 1920s.

The set of bedroom furniture, of which this forms part, was made for the author Dodie Smith.
Associated objects
Collection
Accession number
W.8:1to 14 -1975

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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