Burges Washstand
Washstand
1879 (made)
1879 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
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'.
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'.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 5 parts.
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| Title | Burges Washstand (popular title) |
| Materials and techniques | Carved, painted and gilded wood; marble top and bowl inset with silver; bronze tap and fittings |
| Brief description | Washstand, carved painted and gilt wood, with marble bowl inset with silver fishes and a butterfly. English, 1880. Designed by William Burges. |
| Physical description | The marble bowl is inset with silver fishes and a butterfly. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions | Latin inscriptions, reading in translation 'Come and Wash', 'New Life' and 'William Burges had me made' |
| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Given by Mrs T.H. Minshall |
| Object history | 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. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | 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'. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.4 to D-1953 |
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| Record created | July 16, 1998 |
| Record URL |
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