Commode Morning Glory thumbnail 1
Commode Morning Glory thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Commode Morning Glory

Commode
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.

  • Commode
  • Key
  • Commode (Drawer)
  • Commode (Drawer)
Titles
  • Commode Morning Glory
  • Commode Ipomoea
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
  • Height: 87cm
  • Width: 88cm
  • Depth: 57cm
Dimensions taken from departmental catalogues. Not checked on object
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

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 createdJune 26, 2001
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest