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Cabinet

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

This cabinet 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 dressing table is made of expensive mahogany. The elegant shape is similar to Art Deco furniture from Paris and, to a lesser extent, to the French furniture in the neo-classical style made during the period 1770-1800 that influenced designers like Ruhlmann.

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 cabinet 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 9 parts.

  • Cabinet
  • Drawer
  • Drawer
  • Drawer
  • Drawer
  • Drawer
  • Drawer
  • Drawer
  • Key
Materials and techniques
Brief description
Cabinet , probably designed by J.F. Johnson and made by Heals, London, 1926-1927, for Dodie Smith. Part of an 11-part set, W.3-1975 to W.13-1875.
Physical description
Mahogany cabinet with a pair of doors above three drawers, veneered with ebony and shagreen, with ivory handles and stringing
Dimensions
  • Height: 138cm
  • Width: 78.5cm
  • Including handles depth: 53cm
CW / LW 7.1.10
Object history
Made for the author Dodie Smith
Summary
This cabinet 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 dressing table is made of expensive mahogany. The elegant shape is similar to Art Deco furniture from Paris and, to a lesser extent, to the French furniture in the neo-classical style made during the period 1770-1800 that influenced designers like Ruhlmann.

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 cabinet 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.3:1 to 9 -1975

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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