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Writing Table thumbnail 2
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Not currently on display at the V&A

Writing Table

1740-1745 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
London (made)

This table was designed to be both decorative and useful. It has a pull-out writing panel between the top and the drawer. The top is veneered with padouk and cross-banded with partridge wood. Both these woods were rare and expensive. Padouk came from the Andaman Islands in the Indian Ocean and partridge wood from Brazil. The maker of this table highlighted the veneers with inlay of engraved brass. The fashion for brass-inlaid furniture developed in the 1730s and lasted for only about 25 years. Only a few workshops in London produced furniture with this luxurious form of decoration. But for most pieces there is nothing to identify the maker.


Object details

Categories
Furniture
SCRAN
Object type
Writing table
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Table With Writing Slide
  • Drawer
Materials and techniques
Solid padouk and padouk veneered on oak, the top cross-banded in partridge wood and inlaid with brass
Oak
Padouk
Partridge Wood
Brass
Carving
Inlay
Brief description
Table of padouk, cross-banded in partridge wood and inlaid with brass, on a carcase of oak. The table is fitted with a writing slide above a frieze drawer
Physical description
Rectangular table of padouk, cross-banded in partridge wood and inlaid with brass, on a carcase of oak, with cabriole legs in padouk. The table is fitted with a writing slide above a frieze drawer.
Dimensions
  • Height: 77.2cm
  • Width: 90.8cm
  • Depth: 54.6cm
Dimensions taken from object 2019.
Gallery label
WRITING TABLE ENGLISH; 1740-5 Padouk, cross-banded in partridgewood and inlaid with engraved brass. Possibly made by J. Graveley. The brass ornament is similar to inlay on a bureau cabinet which is branded 'J. Graveley'. The table is fitted with a writing slide above the drawer.(pre July 2001)
Object history
Object sampling carried out by Jo Darrah, V&A Science; drawer/slide reference 4/49.

Previously on long-term loan to Valentines Mansion and Garden, Ilford, Redbridge 2009-2014 [RF 2008/536].
Summary
This table was designed to be both decorative and useful. It has a pull-out writing panel between the top and the drawer. The top is veneered with padouk and cross-banded with partridge wood. Both these woods were rare and expensive. Padouk came from the Andaman Islands in the Indian Ocean and partridge wood from Brazil. The maker of this table highlighted the veneers with inlay of engraved brass. The fashion for brass-inlaid furniture developed in the 1730s and lasted for only about 25 years. Only a few workshops in London produced furniture with this luxurious form of decoration. But for most pieces there is nothing to identify the maker.
Bibliographic references
  • Hayward, John, 'English Brass-Inlaid Furniture', in Victoria and Albert Museum Bulletin, January 1965, vol. I, no. 1, pp.10-23, fig. 3 and 7.
  • Gilbert, Christopher and Murdoch, Tessa eds., John Channon and brass-inlaid furniture 1730-1760. New Haven and London, Yale University Press, in association with Leeds City Art Galleries and the Victoria and Albert Museum, 1993. ISBN 0-300-05812-8, pl. XXIII, figs. 80-81, pp. 79, 158.
  • Casa d'Oro, 53, 10 November 1967.
Collection
Furniture and Woodwork Collection
Accession number
W.44:1, 2-1947

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Record createdJuly 5, 2001
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O60652/writing-table-unknown/
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