Dressing Table
1760-1770 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Dressing tables, such as this one by Migeon, were essential pieces of furniture for fashionable eighteenth-century ladies who spent much time at their toilette preparing for an endless series of entertainments and social appearances. A series of drawers, which could be secured by lock and key, rendered such furniture appropriate for storing personal effects and, especially, private correspondence.
This table typically contains a number of drawers, which are lined with dark green velvet and fitted with compartments and silver containers for storing writing materials and articles of the toilette such as bottles, ink pots and brushes. There is also one dummy-drawer and a small leather covered pull-out writing desk. The top is divided into three sections, with the central one lifting up on a hinge to reveal an adjustable mirror.
The cabriole legs on this table indicate that it was made prior to 1775. Subsequently, the influence of neoclassicism meant that those made after 1775 tended to have straight, tapering legs.
This table typically contains a number of drawers, which are lined with dark green velvet and fitted with compartments and silver containers for storing writing materials and articles of the toilette such as bottles, ink pots and brushes. There is also one dummy-drawer and a small leather covered pull-out writing desk. The top is divided into three sections, with the central one lifting up on a hinge to reveal an adjustable mirror.
The cabriole legs on this table indicate that it was made prior to 1775. Subsequently, the influence of neoclassicism meant that those made after 1775 tended to have straight, tapering legs.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 21 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | oak with veneer and inlay of various woods, gilt-brass mounts |
| Brief description | An oak dressing table veneered and inlaid with various woods in floral design, with gilt-brass mounts. |
| Physical description | The dressing table has cabriole legs with the top of shaped outline. The front is recurved with a small kneehole and four drawers which are lined with velvet and fitted with compartments and three silver containers for writing materials. There is also ne dummy drawer and a small, leather covered pull-out writing desk. The sides are slightly bowed. The top is divided into three sections - the cental one lifts up on a hinge to reveal an adjustable mirror.The two side sections fold outwards to reveal on the left a compartment lined with silk trimmed with gold braid and fitted with toilet articles, including four glass bottles with silver screw tops, one small glass and gilt ring, ne glass and gilt tray and one brush. The right hand compartment is lined in the same manner and is fitted with two cylindrical and two rectangular wooden toilet boxes and one rectangular and one circular clothes brush. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | The bottom front central rail is stamped 'MIGEON' and 'JME' twice, once to either side. |
| Gallery label | Dressing table
1760–70
Dressing tables could be simple structures hidden by silk or linen covers with a mirror on top, or much more complex, multi-purpose pieces of furniture like this one. A lift-up adjustable mirror is flanked by compartments for toilet jars and accessories, on the left, and boxes and brushes, on the right. In the centre are a pull-out desk leaf and a drawer for writing materials.
France (Paris)
Supplied by Pierre Migeon II
Oak veneered with bois satiné and purpleheart; marquetry in several woods; drawers lined with silk and silver braid; accessories of wood, glass and silver
Bequeathed by J.A. Tulk
(09/12/2015) |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by J.A Tulk |
| Summary | Dressing tables, such as this one by Migeon, were essential pieces of furniture for fashionable eighteenth-century ladies who spent much time at their toilette preparing for an endless series of entertainments and social appearances. A series of drawers, which could be secured by lock and key, rendered such furniture appropriate for storing personal effects and, especially, private correspondence. This table typically contains a number of drawers, which are lined with dark green velvet and fitted with compartments and silver containers for storing writing materials and articles of the toilette such as bottles, ink pots and brushes. There is also one dummy-drawer and a small leather covered pull-out writing desk. The top is divided into three sections, with the central one lifting up on a hinge to reveal an adjustable mirror. The cabriole legs on this table indicate that it was made prior to 1775. Subsequently, the influence of neoclassicism meant that those made after 1775 tended to have straight, tapering legs. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | CIRC.805-1956 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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