Commode Morning Glory
Commode
1900 (made)
1900 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This commode, or chest of drawers, was shown at the Paris International Exhibition in 1900. It was also the subject of an illustration to an article written the same year by its maker, Emile Gallé. The text, on modern furniture decorated after nature, for La Revue des Arts decoratifs, served as a statement of Gallé’s philosophy of furniture design. The piece was called the ‘Ipomoea’ commode after the botanical name of the Morning Glory flowers that trail across the marquetry panels. Gallé believed passionately in nature as the proper source of inspiration for designers.
Object details
Category | |
Object type | |
Parts | This object consists of 4 parts.
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Titles |
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Materials and techniques | Marquetry of several different woods on a carcase of oak and willow |
Brief description | A commode (chest of drawers) on tall legs, decorated on all sides with marquetry of several woods, showing Morning Glory flowers |
Physical description | A commode on four tall legs joined by an interlaced stretcher, with two long drawers. The drawer fronts, sides, back and top are veneered with marquetry panels showing trailing foliage and flowers, in oak, walnut, Hungarian ash, kingwood, maple, harewood and mother-of-pearl, on a carcase of oak. On the front, the marquetry panel covers both drawers. The drawer linings are of oak and willow, lined with satinwood. |
Dimensions |
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Style | |
Gallery label | COMMODE 'IPOMEA'
Designer and manufacturer: Emile Gallé (1846-1904)
France (Nancy): about 1900
Oak with marquetry of various woods and mother-of-pearl
1984-1900
This commode was shown at the Paris 1900 Exhibition. In that year Gallé wrote an article for La Revue des Arts decoratifs on modern furniture decorated after nature, which is a statement of his philosophy of furniture design, illustrating this piece among others. The ornament is principally drawn from the morning glory, in accordance with Gallé's belief in nature as the proper source of inspiration for the designer.
Given by Sir George Donaldson(pre 1990) |
Credit line | Given by Sir George Donaldson |
Object history | Exhibited at the Paris International Exhibition 1900 and bought for the V&A by Sir George Donaldson |
Subject depicted | |
Summary | This commode, or chest of drawers, was shown at the Paris International Exhibition in 1900. It was also the subject of an illustration to an article written the same year by its maker, Emile Gallé. The text, on modern furniture decorated after nature, for La Revue des Arts decoratifs, served as a statement of Gallé’s philosophy of furniture design. The piece was called the ‘Ipomoea’ commode after the botanical name of the Morning Glory flowers that trail across the marquetry panels. Gallé believed passionately in nature as the proper source of inspiration for designers. |
Bibliographic reference | George Donaldson, 'The Victoria and Albert Museum. Gift of "New Art" Furniture for Circulation', The Magazine of Art, 1901, pp. 466-471 (illus.)
Valérie Thomas, 'L'École de Nancy au Victoria & Albert Museum: Une difficile reconnaissance', Arts Nouveau, no. 31 (Sept. 2015), p. 13, fig. 3. |
Collection | |
Accession number | 1984:1, 2-1900 |
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Record created | June 26, 2001 |
Record URL |
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