Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
British Galleries, Room 122

Furniture Mount

1850-1900 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
This bronze mount would have decorated a curved section of a large piece of furniture. It shows 'C'- and 'S'-shaped scrolls that are not symmetrical, together with floral and leafy decoration and rocaille, a shell-like decorative element represented here by a ridged effect. This style was first fashionable in France between 1740 and 1770. It was revived in Britain in the 1820s and 1830s.

People
The firm of Cope and Timmins was established about 1760. They had addresses in both London and Birmingham, with Birmingham being specified by 1890 as the manufactory. The firm is still in business today (2001), producing brass fittings.

Design & Designing
Decorative brass fittings for furniture were among the staple products of the Birmingham and London brass founders during the 18th and 19th centuries. An enormous range of decorative furniture fittings was available and many of the same patterns recur. During the 18th century there was no registered right to any design in England, and manufacturers borrowed freely from each other, whereas in Paris metalworkers enjoyed the protection of their guilds and, after 1766, were able to protect their patterns by law. Popular patterns were supplied by a large number of manufacturers and persisted for many years.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Cast brass, the gilding probably electroplated
Brief description
Brass furniture mount, rococo shells, scrolls and flowers. Cope and Timmins Ltd, Britain, 18th or 19th century.
Physical description
One of a collection of cast metal mounts for furniture, rococo shells, scrolls and flowers.
Dimensions
  • Height: 22cm
  • Width: 8cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; by DJ
Marks and inscriptions
Stamped '10'
Credit line
Given by Cope & Timmins Ltd.
Object history
Manufactured by Cope and Timmins, London or Birmingham
Summary
Object Type
This bronze mount would have decorated a curved section of a large piece of furniture. It shows 'C'- and 'S'-shaped scrolls that are not symmetrical, together with floral and leafy decoration and rocaille, a shell-like decorative element represented here by a ridged effect. This style was first fashionable in France between 1740 and 1770. It was revived in Britain in the 1820s and 1830s.

People
The firm of Cope and Timmins was established about 1760. They had addresses in both London and Birmingham, with Birmingham being specified by 1890 as the manufactory. The firm is still in business today (2001), producing brass fittings.

Design & Designing
Decorative brass fittings for furniture were among the staple products of the Birmingham and London brass founders during the 18th and 19th centuries. An enormous range of decorative furniture fittings was available and many of the same patterns recur. During the 18th century there was no registered right to any design in England, and manufacturers borrowed freely from each other, whereas in Paris metalworkers enjoyed the protection of their guilds and, after 1766, were able to protect their patterns by law. Popular patterns were supplied by a large number of manufacturers and persisted for many years.
Other number
LOAN:GLATZEL.1:584 - Previous loan number
Collection
Accession number
W.584-2001

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Record createdJuly 3, 2002
Record URL
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