Architect's Table
1760-1780 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This table can be mechanically adjusted for reading, writing or drawing. Such pieces are now usually described as architect’s tables. But in a book of fashionable designs for furniture published in 1762 they are called simply ‘Writing or Reading Tables’. The title of the book is Universal System of Household Furniture. It was published by the cabinetmakers William Ince and John Mayhew, who had formed a partnership in 1758. On Plate XXIV they illustrate several alternative designs for carved decoration, although most surviving 18th century writing and reading tables are plain. It is possible that the carved decoration was added to this one in the 1800s.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Mahogany, with shallow carved decoration of Chinese fret |
| Brief description | English, 1750-75 |
| Physical description | Table with mechanical adjustment for reading or writing, of mahogany, the outer faces of the legs and the frieze carved with Chinese fret |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Museum negative 74591 shows this on display in Gallery 40 in 1936 as part of a display of Georgian furniture. |
| Summary | This table can be mechanically adjusted for reading, writing or drawing. Such pieces are now usually described as architect’s tables. But in a book of fashionable designs for furniture published in 1762 they are called simply ‘Writing or Reading Tables’. The title of the book is Universal System of Household Furniture. It was published by the cabinetmakers William Ince and John Mayhew, who had formed a partnership in 1758. On Plate XXIV they illustrate several alternative designs for carved decoration, although most surviving 18th century writing and reading tables are plain. It is possible that the carved decoration was added to this one in the 1800s. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.31-1912 |
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| Record created | March 5, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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