Candlestand thumbnail 1
Candlestand thumbnail 2
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
British Galleries, Room 54

Candlestand

ca. 1680 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
This candlestand, dating from about 1680, is made of japanned pinewood (pine painted in imitation of Asian lacquer) with Japanese lacquer in the form of a mon (a Japanese coat of arms) set into the top.

Time
By about 1660 Japanese cabinets were highly prized by the nobility, as was any piece of furniture from a workshop in Western Europe that incorporated original parts of Japanese furniture.

Place
This was almost certainly made for Robert, 2nd Earl of Sunderland (1641-1702), for his seat at Althorp, Northamptonshire, to match the pier glass and table.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Pine, veneered with pieces of Japanese lacquer including mother-of-pearl, and painted black and gold
Brief description
From Althorp pier set
Physical description
Pine veneered with pieces of Japanese lacquer with mother- of-pearl (probably originally from a chest, about 1620-1640), and painted black and gold
Dimensions
  • Height: 105cm
  • Width: 44cm
  • Base diameter: 39cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 21/01/1999 by NH
Gallery label
  • W.76-1981 [sic] STAND ENGLISH; about 1680 Pine japanned (painted) black and gold and veneered with Japanese lacquer. Ensuite with dressing table (W. 75-1981) [sic] and mirror (W.74-1981) The pair to this stand is a replica made in 1981. Part of Robert, 2nd Earl of Sunderland's furnishings of Althorp, Northamptonshire. Bought with the aid of the Brigadier Clark Fund. N.B. Museum numbers incorrect on label.(pre October 2000)
  • TABLE, MIRROR AND TWO CANDLESTANDS Pine veneered with Japanese lacquer and painted black and gold ENGLISH; about 1680 (one of the stands is a modern replica) From Althorp, Northamptonshire. Groups of table, mirror and two candlestands were freqeuntly placed against the window piers of state apartments at this date. This group was probably acquired by Robert, second Earl of Sunderland, and seems originally to have served as a dressing table. Several high quality Japanese cabinets or screens have been cannibalised to supply the veneer: the mon or crest of a Japanese noble family can be seen on the table, showing that not only lacquer made for export was used in this way.(pre July 2001)
Credit line
Purchased with the assistance of the Brigadier Clark Fund through Art Fund
Object history
Almost certainly commissioned by Robert Spencer, 2nd Earl of Sunderland (born in Paris, 1641, and died at Althorp, Northamptonshire, 1702) for Althorp, Northamptonshire]
Made in England
Summary
Object Type
This candlestand, dating from about 1680, is made of japanned pinewood (pine painted in imitation of Asian lacquer) with Japanese lacquer in the form of a mon (a Japanese coat of arms) set into the top.

Time
By about 1660 Japanese cabinets were highly prized by the nobility, as was any piece of furniture from a workshop in Western Europe that incorporated original parts of Japanese furniture.

Place
This was almost certainly made for Robert, 2nd Earl of Sunderland (1641-1702), for his seat at Althorp, Northamptonshire, to match the pier glass and table.
Collection
Accession number
W.74B-1981

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Record createdMay 17, 2001
Record URL
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