Pembroke Table
1780-1790 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
In the second half of the eighteenth century pembroke tables, with two flaps supported when needed on hinged brackets, became highly fashionable and popular. They worked well in smaller town houses in particular, where they could be folded up and stored against the wall when not wanted. Although certain very rich and grand families had large London houses, many people, even those with titles, lived in relatively small terrace houses, with few entertaining rooms. The design of the fluted legs is particularly elegant but it is possible that the curved stretchers are an addition, as they look out of place with the fully turned and carved legs.
Object details
Category | |
Object type | |
Parts | This object consists of 3 parts.
|
Materials and techniques | Mahogany veneered with mahogany and cross-banded with kingwood; oak veneered with mahogany |
Brief description | Pembroke table of mahogany, with serpentine outline, the tapering, fluted legs joined by a curving, X-form stretcher. |
Physical description | Pembroke table of mahogany, with serpentine outline, the tapering, fluted legs joined by a curving, X-form stretcher (possibly a later addition). The top shows mahogany with a particularly fine 'flame' figure, and is cross-banded at the edge with rosewood. The table has a single drawer with two brass knob handles, with a dummy drawer on the other side of the table. |
Dimensions |
|
Style | |
Gallery label | PEMBROKE TABLE
ENGLISH; about 1790
Mahogany
Bequeathed by V.B. Crowther Benyon.(pre October 2000) |
Credit line | Bequest of V.B. Crowther-Benyon F.S.A |
Object history | This came to the Museum as part of a bequest by Mr V.B. Crowther-Benyon F.S.A. (See Registered File 52/1176 on Nominal File MA/1/C3396). The Museum nos. for the bequest of furniture run from W.14 to W. 23-1952. He also bequeathed paintings, miniatures and other items, including a beadwork basket to the Museum. The correspondence suggests that all the items had been inherited by Mr Crowther-Benyon. |
Summary | In the second half of the eighteenth century pembroke tables, with two flaps supported when needed on hinged brackets, became highly fashionable and popular. They worked well in smaller town houses in particular, where they could be folded up and stored against the wall when not wanted. Although certain very rich and grand families had large London houses, many people, even those with titles, lived in relatively small terrace houses, with few entertaining rooms. The design of the fluted legs is particularly elegant but it is possible that the curved stretchers are an addition, as they look out of place with the fully turned and carved legs. |
Bibliographic reference | Tomlin, Maurice, Catalogue of Adam Period Furniture (London: HMSO for the Victoria and Albert Museum, 1972), cat. no. S/4, p. 153. |
Collection | |
Accession number | W.16:1to:3-1952 |
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
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | February 16, 2001 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest