Table
ca. 1805 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This table represents the late Greek revival in both its design and ornamentation. For example, the plinth is decorated with scrolling anthemions (a motif based on the honeysuckle flower), which imitate the designs used on ancient Etruscan vases.
Materials & Making
The cabinet-maker is unknown, but the table was probably made in London, judging from the high quality of the workmanship and materials.
Design & Designing
A table like this is illustrated as Plate 39 in Household Furniture and Interior Decoration... executed from designs by Thomas Hope, London, 1807. It is described as 'Top and elevation of a round monopodium or table in mahogany, inlaid with ebony and silver'. The publication allowed many commercial cabinet-makers to make versions of this design.
A very similar table is featured in a watercolour (dated 1818) by Hope and the architect William Atkinson. The watercolour depicts the boudoir in Hope's house, Deepdene, near Dorking, Surrey. This table was as one time thought to be the V&A piece, but the pedestal of the one depicted is plain.
Related Objects
Several other versions of this table design exist with different details of decoration, including one with gilt-bronze mounts at the Art Institute of Chicago.
This table represents the late Greek revival in both its design and ornamentation. For example, the plinth is decorated with scrolling anthemions (a motif based on the honeysuckle flower), which imitate the designs used on ancient Etruscan vases.
Materials & Making
The cabinet-maker is unknown, but the table was probably made in London, judging from the high quality of the workmanship and materials.
Design & Designing
A table like this is illustrated as Plate 39 in Household Furniture and Interior Decoration... executed from designs by Thomas Hope, London, 1807. It is described as 'Top and elevation of a round monopodium or table in mahogany, inlaid with ebony and silver'. The publication allowed many commercial cabinet-makers to make versions of this design.
A very similar table is featured in a watercolour (dated 1818) by Hope and the architect William Atkinson. The watercolour depicts the boudoir in Hope's house, Deepdene, near Dorking, Surrey. This table was as one time thought to be the V&A piece, but the pedestal of the one depicted is plain.
Related Objects
Several other versions of this table design exist with different details of decoration, including one with gilt-bronze mounts at the Art Institute of Chicago.
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Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Mahogany, inlaid with ebony and silver, and carved in relief |
| Brief description | Table, designed by Thomas Hope, London, ca. 1805, mahogany inlaid with ebony and silver and carved in relief |
| Physical description | Mahogany table with a circular top supported on a three-sided plinth terminating in three claw feet. Inlaid with ebony and silver floral and star motifs, with foliage carved in relief |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label |
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| Object history | This table was illustrated in Hope's book 'Household Furniture and Interior Decoration' , published in 1807. He based the inlaid ornament on designs found on Greek vases. Circular tables on pedestal bases became a standard form of Regency furniture. |
| Summary | Object Type This table represents the late Greek revival in both its design and ornamentation. For example, the plinth is decorated with scrolling anthemions (a motif based on the honeysuckle flower), which imitate the designs used on ancient Etruscan vases. Materials & Making The cabinet-maker is unknown, but the table was probably made in London, judging from the high quality of the workmanship and materials. Design & Designing A table like this is illustrated as Plate 39 in Household Furniture and Interior Decoration... executed from designs by Thomas Hope, London, 1807. It is described as 'Top and elevation of a round monopodium or table in mahogany, inlaid with ebony and silver'. The publication allowed many commercial cabinet-makers to make versions of this design. A very similar table is featured in a watercolour (dated 1818) by Hope and the architect William Atkinson. The watercolour depicts the boudoir in Hope's house, Deepdene, near Dorking, Surrey. This table was as one time thought to be the V&A piece, but the pedestal of the one depicted is plain. Related Objects Several other versions of this table design exist with different details of decoration, including one with gilt-bronze mounts at the Art Institute of Chicago. |
| Bibliographic reference | Ann Eatwell, 'A Testimonial Table and Vase Shown at the Great Exhibition of 1851', in The Decorative Arts Society Journal, vol. 41, 2017, pp. 10-13, illustrates a table of 1850-51, in ebony and silver, but closely modelled on the overall design of this table, which is illustrated as fig. 3, on p. 10 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.13-1936 |
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| Record created | October 18, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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