Chair thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Chair

ca. 1855 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

These pieces are based on models made in 1825-1850 in the Rococo Revival style. The chairs and matching footstools were made in Berhampur, India. The intricately carved ivory elements demonstrate the exceptional ability of local craftsmen of the bhaskar caste, who were renowned for their skill at working ivory. The chairs were probably designed for display at the Exposition Universelle, held in Paris in 1855. In his important work on ivories, W. Maskell described this suite as an example of exceptionally poor design. He thought 'these astounding specimens' showed ' vulgarity and bad taste' and 'a waste of a valuable and beautiful material'.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Ebony, inlaid and mounted with ivory, with red velvet upholstery
Brief description
Chair, ebony, inlaid and mounted with ivory, with red velvet upholstery, ca. 1855.
Physical description
Chair, ebony, inlaid and mounted with ivory, with red velvet upholstery.
Dimensions
  • Height: 112cm
  • Seat height: 44cm
  • Approx. width: 60cm
  • Approx. depth: 51.5cm
Object history
Transferred from the India Museum in 1879. 1880 Register Entry: [Room 8. Case 36- continued.] '01,217. ARM CHAIR. Carved ebony, inlaid with ivory and ivory ornaments; Berhampore.' (No slip number given.)
Subjects depicted
Summary
These pieces are based on models made in 1825-1850 in the Rococo Revival style. The chairs and matching footstools were made in Berhampur, India. The intricately carved ivory elements demonstrate the exceptional ability of local craftsmen of the bhaskar caste, who were renowned for their skill at working ivory. The chairs were probably designed for display at the Exposition Universelle, held in Paris in 1855. In his important work on ivories, W. Maskell described this suite as an example of exceptionally poor design. He thought 'these astounding specimens' showed ' vulgarity and bad taste' and 'a waste of a valuable and beautiful material'.
Associated objects
Bibliographic references
  • Jaffer, Amin Furniture from British India and Ceylon: A Catalogue of the Collections in the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Peabody Essex Museum. London : V&A Publications, 2001. 416 p., ill. ISBN 1851773185, p.262, pl.89.
  • Luxury goods from India : the art of the Indian cabinet maker / Amin Jaffer. London: V&A Publications, 2002 Number: 1851773819 pp.110-111, ill.
Collection
Accession number
01217(IS)

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 createdNovember 29, 2002
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest