Box thumbnail 1
Box thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Box

1700-1800 (made)
Place of origin

This box was was made in the Netherlands between 1700 and 1800. It is decorated with coloured straw marquetry which was a popular in this period.

Straw marquetry is a technique through which an object’s surface is decorated with small pieces of straw to create a pattern. Individual pieces of straw are split and flattened, then glued into place on thin paper on which a design had been drawn. This is then glued to a wooden carcase, which was usually covered first with a thicker paper. The maker could divide the straw into two, four or more strips, depending on the fineness needed for the design. As with this box, colour could be added to the surface with various varnishes, which also enhanced the glossy appearance of the marquetry.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
straw marquetry
Brief description
Box, decorated with coloured straw-work, Dutch, 1700-1800
Physical description
Box, of pie, with slightly arched lid, covered on the exterior and interior with straw-work. The lid is decorated with a rectangular compartment containing a design of tulips, carnations and other flowers and a quadrant in each corner filled in with scrolls, around the whole is a diaper border. The four sides of the box and the inside of the lid are decorated with panels of similar floral ornament and birds, within borders of diagonal lines. The rest of the inside is covered with alternate red and yellow stripes. It has a wrought iron lock and hasp, and a drop handle, there were originally four feet, now missing.
Credit line
Given by H. Thomson Lyon, Esquire
Summary
This box was was made in the Netherlands between 1700 and 1800. It is decorated with coloured straw marquetry which was a popular in this period.

Straw marquetry is a technique through which an object’s surface is decorated with small pieces of straw to create a pattern. Individual pieces of straw are split and flattened, then glued into place on thin paper on which a design had been drawn. This is then glued to a wooden carcase, which was usually covered first with a thicker paper. The maker could divide the straw into two, four or more strips, depending on the fineness needed for the design. As with this box, colour could be added to the surface with various varnishes, which also enhanced the glossy appearance of the marquetry.
Collection
Accession number
1047-1898

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest