Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Not currently on display at the V&A
On display at Stoneleigh Abbey, Warwickshire

Altar Table

1764 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This table is in the Rococo style of the 1730s to 1750s. The highly curved, or 'cabriole' legs, and lively carving, with swags of fruit and flowers, are typical of this style. The 5th Lord Leigh commissioned the piece in 1764 for use as an altar table in the chapel at his house, Stoneleigh Abbey, Warwickshire. By that date the Rococo style was no longer the height of fashion, but the table fitted well with the plasterwork and carvings in the chapel, which also featured cherub's heads. The cabinet-making firm William Gomm & Son of Clerkenwell Close, London, made the table, and their bill for £31.50 still survives. The table is now on long-term loan from the V&A to Stoneleigh Abbey.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Carved mahogany
Brief description
Altar table of carved mahogany by William Gomm & Son, English 1764
Physical description
Rectangular mahogany table on four outward curving legs carved with swags of fruit and flowers and scrolls, with a cherub's head on the front.
Dimensions
  • Height: 33in
  • Width: 49in
  • Depth: 31in
Style
Production typeUnique
Gallery label
COMMUNION TABLE ENGLISH; 1764 Mahogany Designed and made by William Gomm & Son of Clerkenwell Close, London, for the 5th Lord Leigh's chapel at Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, in 1764. Given by the National Heritage Memorial Fund.(pre October 2000)
Credit line
Given by the Trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund
Production
Reason For Production: Commission
Summary
This table is in the Rococo style of the 1730s to 1750s. The highly curved, or 'cabriole' legs, and lively carving, with swags of fruit and flowers, are typical of this style. The 5th Lord Leigh commissioned the piece in 1764 for use as an altar table in the chapel at his house, Stoneleigh Abbey, Warwickshire. By that date the Rococo style was no longer the height of fashion, but the table fitted well with the plasterwork and carvings in the chapel, which also featured cherub's heads. The cabinet-making firm William Gomm & Son of Clerkenwell Close, London, made the table, and their bill for £31.50 still survives. The table is now on long-term loan from the V&A to Stoneleigh Abbey.
Bibliographic reference
'Recent acquisitions of furniture and woodwork at the Victoria and Albert Museum'. Burlington Magazine June 1993, vol. CXXXV, no. 1083, pp. 443-448. This item illustrated as item VI.
Collection
Accession number
W.7-1990

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 createdApril 26, 2001
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest