Physical description
A table in Louis XVI style, with marquetry of tulipwood and other woods, with mounts of gilded and silvered bronze, the frieze set with a porcelain plaque
Place of Origin
Paris, France (signed, made)
Date
1855 (made)
Artist/maker
Firm of Edouard Kreisser (signed, maker)
Materials and Techniques
Marquetry of tulipwood and other woods on a carcase of oak, with porcelain plaques, and mounts in gilded and silvered bronze
Marks and inscriptions
E. Kreisser / a Paris. 52 rue Basse du Rempart / Expotion Universelles / de Paris 1855
Dimensions
Height: 83 cm, Width: 119 cm, Depth: 61.2 cm
Object history note
Ordered by Queen Victoria from the firm of Edouard Kreisser after her visit to the Paris International Exhibition in 1855, with a cabinet. See 'Victoria and Albert. Art and Love', catalogue of hte exhibition at the Queen's Gallery, 2010, no. 180, pp. 261-2). The table was given to Prince Albert as a Christmas present in 1855. Both table and cabinet were at Osborne in the late-nineteenth century (Osborne Catalogue, 1876, vol. II, p. 22) where they stood in the Small Drawing Room or Audience Room. It is not known when or how the table left the Royal Collection.
In 1964 the table was with the dealers Kerrins in London and was bought by Mr George Farrow, who presented it to the V&A.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Wilk, Christopher, ed. . Western Furniture 1350 to the Present Day. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1996. 230p., ill. ISBN 085667463X.
Jervis, Simon, Art & Design in Europe and America 1800-1900 (London, 1987), pp. 94-5
Bellaigue, Geoffrey. de, 'Queen Victoria Buys French in 1855', Antique Collector (April 19), pp. 37-41
Exhibition History
The Victoria and Albert Museum: Art and Design For All (Kunst und Ausstellungshalle der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Bonn 18/11/2011-15/04/2012)
Shanghai Expo, World Expo Museum, Shanghai (01/01/2005-15/11/2010)
Labels and date
TABLE
W.9-1964
'American and European Art and Design 1800-1900'
This table was purchased by Queen Victoria at the Paris 1855 Exhibition for 2500 francs. It was given by her to Prince Albert as a Christmas present in the same year. A cabinet in en suite, purchased at the same time for 8000 francs, was his birthday present in August 1856 (now at Kensington Palace). The table, signed 'E. KREISSER. a Paris. 52 Rue Basse du Rempart Exposion. Universelle de Paris 1855', is an accomplished example of the revival of the Louis XVI style of the 1770s and 1780s.
Given by George Farrow Esq. [1987-2006]
Europe and America 1800-1900, room 101
TABLE IN THE LOUIS XVI STYLE
1855
Shown at the International Exhibition, Paris, 1855
France, Paris; made in the workshops of Edouard Kreisser
Marquetry of tulipwood and other woods, on a carcase of oak; set with porcelain plaques and bronze mounts, gilded and silvered
Signed in the marquetry
Museum no. W.9-1964
Given by George Farrow
Queen Victoria bought this table as a Christmas present for Prince Albert. They had first seen it during a state visit to France, when they made three visits to the International Exhibition - France's answer to London's Great Exhibition of 1851. The table imitates the style of the period of Louis XVI (1774-92), a style that was reproduced throughout Europe. [2006]
Associated Events
Paris Exposition Universelle, 1855
Materials
Porcelain; Bronze; Oak; Gilt; Tulipwood
Techniques
Gilding; Marquetry; Silvered
Subjects depicted
Floral patterns; Bird; Putti; Festoons; Scroll; Cross; Coat of arms; Urn; Monogram; Quiver
Categories
Furniture
Collection code
FWK
