Burges Washstand
- Object:
- Place of origin:
- Date:
- Artist/Maker:
Burges, William (A.R.A.), born 1827 - died 1881 (designer)
Walden, John (maker)
- Materials and Techniques:
Carved, painted and gilded wood; marble top and bowl inset with silver; bronze tap and fittings
- Credit Line:
Given by Col. T. H. Minshall DSO
- Museum number:
- Gallery location:
British Galleries, room 122e, case 6
- Download image
Object Type
William Burges (1827-1881) disliked Georgian furniture of the 18th and early 19th centuries. This washstand, designed by him, epitomises how he thought furniture should look. Brightly painted, using rich materials and with complex fitments and references to literature and myth, the washstand was nonetheless highly functional. It has a water tank in the upper castellated section with a tap. The marble basin, inlaid with silver fish motifs, is fitted with a tap in the form of a bronze animal. The basin swivels so that the dirty water can be tipped into a bucket in the cupboard below.
Places
The Tower House, in Melbury Road, London, was the home of Burges from 1878 until his death in 1881. He designed every aspect of the house himself. The outside of the house was in the Reformed Gothic style, while the inside was decorated in the most elaborate fashion. This washstand was made for the Guest Chamber, of which a visitor wrote, 'The whole chamber is like an ancient shrine or reliquary'.
People
William Burges was an architect as well as a designer of furniture, metalwork and jewellery. His most important projects include Cardiff Castle and Castell Coch, near Cardiff, in Wales. His style was heavily influenced by medieval art. He never married, was a freemason and a collector of armour, and was described by the wife of his patron as 'ugly Burges who designs lovely things'.
Physical description
The marble bowl is inset with silver fishes and a butterfly.
Place of Origin
London, England (made)
Date
1879 (made)
Artist/maker
Burges, William (A.R.A.), born 1827 - died 1881 (designer)
Walden, John (maker)
Materials and Techniques
Carved, painted and gilded wood; marble top and bowl inset with silver; bronze tap and fittings
Marks and inscriptions
Latin inscriptions, reading in translation 'Come and Wash', 'New Life' and 'William Burges had me made'
[Washstand] 'WILLIAM BURGES ME FIERI FECIT MDCCCLXXX' 'WILLIAM BURGES HAD ME MADE'
[Washstand] 'VENEZ LAVER'
[Washstand] 'VITA NOVA' 'NEW LIFE'
Dimensions
Height: 160.5 cm maximum, Width: 79.5 cm maximum, Depth: 56.7 cm maximum, Weight: 116 kg
Object history note
The washstand was designed by William Burges (born in London, 1827, died there in 1881) and made in London for the Guest Bedroom at Tower House, Burges's home in Kensington. Burges's Estimate Book (National Art Library 86.SS.52) includes a reference to a washstand for himself, on 2nd October, 1879, made by a carpenter, John Walden, at a cost of £50.
Descriptive line
Washstand, carved painted and gilt wood, with marble bowl inset with silver fishes and a butterfly. English, 1880. Designed by William Burges.
Labels and date
Designed for the Guest chamber at Tower House along with the bed next to it. The bowl is inset with silver fishes and a butterfly. Inscribed WILLIAM BURGES ME FIERI FECIT MDCCCLXXX (William Burges had me made 1880). [1993]
The top, bowl and soap dishes of marble. The bowl inset with silver fishes and a butterfly. The back and water tank set with small mirrors and the taps and fittings of bronze. Inscribed VENEZ LAVER (on cold tap), VITA NOVA (on back), WILLIAM BURGES (left side), and ME FECIT MDCCCLXXX (right side).
Designed for the guest chamber, Tower House, Melbury Road, London, W14.
Given by Mrs. T.H. Minshall [pre July 2001]
British Galleries:
This washstand was designed by William Burges for the guest bedroom of his own house, based on the poem 'Vita Nova' (New Life) by the Italian poet, Dante (1265-1321). The motifs suggest a garden full of new life. [27/03/2003]
Materials
Silver; Wood; Bronze; Marble; Reflective glass
Techniques
Carving; Painting (Image Making); Gilding
Subjects depicted
Fish; Butterfly
Categories
Furniture; British Galleries
Collection code
FWK
