Cabinet thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Cabinet

ca. 1888 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This cabinet was designed as an embroidery cupboard, with many shallow shelves. The doors are decorated with the symbols of the Zodiac, painted by George McCulloch . The choice of oak, the simple design and the modest use of decoration seen here are all features of Arts and Crafts furniture.

The designer, Lewis Foreman Day (1845-1910), was extremely keen on embroidery and published articles and manuals on the subject. He was one of the most commercially aware and successful designers of his generation. He is best known for his textiles, ceramics and wallpapers, and for his writings on the philosophy of the Arts and Crafts Movement. He had a strong relationship with the V&A and the art school attached to it, and the Museum owns a large collection of his designs.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 16 parts.

  • Cabinet
  • Display Case
  • Shelf
  • Shelf
  • Shelf
  • Shelf
  • Shelf
  • Shelf
  • Shelf
  • Shelf
  • Shelf
  • Shelf
  • Shelf
  • Shelf
  • Shelf
  • Shelf
Materials and techniques
Oak inlaid with ebony and satinwood decorated with painted panels
Brief description
cabinet, English, 1885-88, des. Lewis F Day, contains 14 shelves
Physical description
Oak, inlaid with ebony and satinwood decorated with painted panels of the signs of the Zodiac executed by George McCulloch. Designed by Lewis F. Day as an embroidery cupboard in 1888.
Dimensions
  • Height: 175cm
  • Width: 132cm
  • Depth: 45cm
Style
Gallery label
International Arts & Crafts (Re: A&C Exhibition Society) This modest cabinet was one of about twelve pieces of furniture shown at the first exhibition. Initially many of the larger furniture retailers and manufacturers did not participate because they were unwilling to abide by the rule that the individuals who made their furniture should be named.(17/03/2005)
Credit line
Given by Miss D. M. Ross
Object history
Exhibited at the Arts and Crafts Exhibition 1888.
Designed as an embroidery cupboard.
Subject depicted
Summary
This cabinet was designed as an embroidery cupboard, with many shallow shelves. The doors are decorated with the symbols of the Zodiac, painted by George McCulloch . The choice of oak, the simple design and the modest use of decoration seen here are all features of Arts and Crafts furniture.

The designer, Lewis Foreman Day (1845-1910), was extremely keen on embroidery and published articles and manuals on the subject. He was one of the most commercially aware and successful designers of his generation. He is best known for his textiles, ceramics and wallpapers, and for his writings on the philosophy of the Arts and Crafts Movement. He had a strong relationship with the V&A and the art school attached to it, and the Museum owns a large collection of his designs.
Bibliographic references
  • Livingstone, Karen & Parry, Linda (eds.), International Arts and Crafts, London : V&A Publications, 2005 p.51
  • Elizabeth Aslin, Nineteenth Century English Furniture (London, Faber, 1962), plate 104.
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.349-1955

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Record createdJanuary 28, 2005
Record URL
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