Wooden towel rail or towel horse painted with green spots on a white ground.

Wooden towel rail painted white with green spots, the supports on trestle feet, with two lower rails and a double top rail.

Acquired through the generosity of H.E.Trevor, Esq., with the co-operation of some admirers of David Garrick

This towel rail was probably made in about 1830, to supplement the Chippendale furniture supplied for the Thames-side villa of David and Eva Garrick. When Mrs Garrick died in 1822 the house was bought by her solicitor, Thomas Carr, with its contents.

The towel rail was part of a large donation of furniture from Garrick's bedroom (plus an additional press bed).Inventory numbers W.21 to W.32-1917. The bed had already been donated to the Museum (W.70-1916). In 1994 the Museum was also give one of the pair of small bookcases from this room (W.14-1994).

Attribution note: Made to match other furniture in Garrick's villa (see W.70-1916, W. 22-1917 to W.29-1917, W.30-1917 to W.31-1917 and W.14-1994)

This small towel rail was probably made in the 19th century for use in a house which had been the country retreat of the famous 18th-century actor David Garrick and his wife. It is painted green and white, with spots to suggest bamboo, to match the earlier 'chinoiserie', or Chinese style, furnishings bought by Mrs and Mrs Garrick. A set of chairs with this decoration is also now in the V&A's collection. David Garrick's furniture remained in the house until 1864, when it was dispersed after a sale.

W.32-1917