Wall Cabinet
1880-1890 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This birch wall cabinet was designed and produced in the 1880s by artist Elena Polenova, who was closely associated with Savva Mamontov and his circle in Russia. Savva Mamontov was a wealthy businessman and a great patron of the arts. He invited artists to live and work on his estate at Abramtsevo, near Moscow, promising them: ‘… you will not make a mistake if you settle down in Moscow. Moscow is a source of unique and fresh impressions for an artist.’ The Abramtsevo artists studied traditional Russian culture and their output enjoyed world acclaim, winning gold medals at the 1900 Exhibition in Paris.
From 1884 Polenova managed the woodworking workshops at Abramtsevo, and designed furniture and other objects. Her designs were not just replicas of traditional forms, but sensitive reworkings of traditional patterns and types to create a new style.
From 1884 Polenova managed the woodworking workshops at Abramtsevo, and designed furniture and other objects. Her designs were not just replicas of traditional forms, but sensitive reworkings of traditional patterns and types to create a new style.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Painted, carved and gilded birch |
| Brief description | Birch, carved, painted and gilded, Russian, 1880 - 1890, designed by Elena Polenova, made at the Abramtsevo workshops |
| Physical description | Wall mounted cabinet, of painted birch, Russia, 1880-1890. Designed by Elena Polenova, made at the Abramtsevo Workshop. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Bought with the aid of a bequest from Mrs Mowbray Garden |
| Object history | There are other examples of this wall cabinet, with similar decoration. One, purchased at the Newark Antique Fair, was offered to the V&A in 2005 and another was sold by Blairman & Son to the Los Angeles Museum of Fine Art. |
| Historical context | The artist Elena Polenova was closely associated with Savva Mamontov and his circle in Moscow. From 1884 she managed the woodworking workshops at Abramtsevo and designed furniture and other objects. Her designs were not just replicas of traditional forms but sensitive reworkings of traditional patterns and types to create a new style. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Association | |
| Summary | This birch wall cabinet was designed and produced in the 1880s by artist Elena Polenova, who was closely associated with Savva Mamontov and his circle in Russia. Savva Mamontov was a wealthy businessman and a great patron of the arts. He invited artists to live and work on his estate at Abramtsevo, near Moscow, promising them: ‘… you will not make a mistake if you settle down in Moscow. Moscow is a source of unique and fresh impressions for an artist.’ The Abramtsevo artists studied traditional Russian culture and their output enjoyed world acclaim, winning gold medals at the 1900 Exhibition in Paris. From 1884 Polenova managed the woodworking workshops at Abramtsevo, and designed furniture and other objects. Her designs were not just replicas of traditional forms, but sensitive reworkings of traditional patterns and types to create a new style. |
| Bibliographic reference | Livingstone, Karen & Parry, Linda (eds.), International Arts and Crafts, London : V&A Publications, 2005
p.261 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.4-2004 |
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| Record created | January 28, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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