Not currently on display at the V&A

Sideboard

1898-1899 (made)
Artist/Maker
Lethaby, William Richard (designed)
Place of origin
England (made)

Gothic revival style oak sideboard, carved and inlaid with ebony, sycamore and bleached mahogany. Seven octagonal legs, four drawers, and three shelves partially covered with arch-shaped decoration with a cupboard on either side decorated with inlaid floral branches


Object details

Category
Furniture
Object type
Sideboard
Parts
This object consists of 6 parts.

  • Key
  • Drawer
  • Drawer
  • Drawer
  • Drawer
  • Sideboard
Materials and techniques
Oak
Ebony
Sycamore
Mahogany
Carving
Inlay (Process)
Brief description
Oak sideboard, English, 1898-1899, designed by W. R. Lethaby for Melsetter House
Physical description
Gothic revival style oak sideboard, carved and inlaid with ebony, sycamore and bleached mahogany. Seven octagonal legs, four drawers, and three shelves partially covered with arch-shaped decoration with a cupboard on either side decorated with inlaid floral branches
Dimensions
  • Whole height: 175cm
  • Whole including top moulding width: 267cm
  • Width of top of base width: 254.6cm
  • Whole depth: 57.5cm
Measured from object by Max Donnelly.
Style
Gothic Revival
Gallery label
CABINET ENGLISH: 1898-1899 Designed by W.R. Lethaby (1857-1931) Maker unknown Oak with inlay of ebony, sycamore, and bleached mahogany This striking Gothic Revival kitchen dresser was part of the furnishings of Melsetter House, Hoy, in the Orkney Islands, which was built to Lethaby's designs between 1891 and 1899. The revealed construction, use of solid oak, and simple inlay demonstrate the debt owed by Lethaby and his generation to the 'True Principles' laid down by pugin sixty years before.(1993)
Bibliographic references
  • Edward Joy, The Country Life Book of English Furniture. London: Country Life Ltd., 1964, illus. fig.116
  • Elizabeth Aslin, Nineteenth Century English Furniture (London, Faber, 1962), plate 133.
Collection
Furniture and Woodwork Collection
Accession number
CIRC.41:6-1953

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Record createdJuly 26, 2001
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O61467/sideboard-lethaby-william-richard/
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