Table Bureau
1740-1760 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This table bureau is based on early 18th century English prototypes, but was made at Vizagapatam, a port situated on the east coast of India. This piece was originally designed as a base of a toilet glass, the frame and supports of which were removed before the Musem acquired the piece in 1950.
Vizagapatam possessed a fine harbour and a textile-producing hinterland, both of which attracted European settlement and introduced a demand locally for western-style furniture. The timber required for the furniture was readily available from nearby forests, and being the only natural harbour between Calcutta and Madras, Vizagapatam became a popular port of call frequented both by European vessels travelling between Europe and the Far East, and smaller local crafts trading along the coast.
The earliest Vizagapatam manufactures can be dated on stylistic grounds to the beginning of the 18th century, although the first references to the industry dates to the 1750s, when Major John Corneille wrote of Vizagapatam that its 'chintz is esteemed the best in India for the brightness of its colours', and that 'The place is likewise remarkable for its inlay work, and justly, for they do it to the greatest perfection.'
Vizagapatam possessed a fine harbour and a textile-producing hinterland, both of which attracted European settlement and introduced a demand locally for western-style furniture. The timber required for the furniture was readily available from nearby forests, and being the only natural harbour between Calcutta and Madras, Vizagapatam became a popular port of call frequented both by European vessels travelling between Europe and the Far East, and smaller local crafts trading along the coast.
The earliest Vizagapatam manufactures can be dated on stylistic grounds to the beginning of the 18th century, although the first references to the industry dates to the 1750s, when Major John Corneille wrote of Vizagapatam that its 'chintz is esteemed the best in India for the brightness of its colours', and that 'The place is likewise remarkable for its inlay work, and justly, for they do it to the greatest perfection.'
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Parts | This object consists of 12 parts.
|
Materials and techniques | Rosewood inlaid with ivory, engraved and highlighted with lac; silver, brass and silvered brass mounts |
Brief description | Domestic, wood ivory metal, inlaid, India, C18 LH side; Domestic, wood, inlaid, India, C18 LH side; Domestic, wood ivory metal, inlaid, India, C18 LH side; Domestic, wood ivory metal, inlaid, India, C18 centre; Domestic, wood ivory metal, inlaid, India, C18 RH side; Domestic, wood ivory metal, inlaid, India, C18 RH side; Domestic, wood ivory metal, inlaid, India, C18 RH side; Domestic, wood ivory metal, inlaid, India, C18 bottom; Domestic, wood ivory metal, inlaid, India, C18 Domestic, wood ivory, India, C18 Domestic, wood ivory, India, C18 Tools, steel, India, C18 |
Physical description | Table cabinet of rosewood, inlaid with ivory, engraved and highlighted with lac, with silver escutcheon, later brass locks, silvered brass hinges, mounts and carrying handles. |
Dimensions |
|
Summary | This table bureau is based on early 18th century English prototypes, but was made at Vizagapatam, a port situated on the east coast of India. This piece was originally designed as a base of a toilet glass, the frame and supports of which were removed before the Musem acquired the piece in 1950. Vizagapatam possessed a fine harbour and a textile-producing hinterland, both of which attracted European settlement and introduced a demand locally for western-style furniture. The timber required for the furniture was readily available from nearby forests, and being the only natural harbour between Calcutta and Madras, Vizagapatam became a popular port of call frequented both by European vessels travelling between Europe and the Far East, and smaller local crafts trading along the coast. The earliest Vizagapatam manufactures can be dated on stylistic grounds to the beginning of the 18th century, although the first references to the industry dates to the 1750s, when Major John Corneille wrote of Vizagapatam that its 'chintz is esteemed the best in India for the brightness of its colours', and that 'The place is likewise remarkable for its inlay work, and justly, for they do it to the greatest perfection.' |
Bibliographic reference | Jaffer, A. Furniture from British India and Ceylon: a catalogue of the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Peabody Essex Museum. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 2001. ISBN 1 85177 318 5.p.189, pl.40. |
Collection | |
Accession number | IS.176:1 to 12-1950 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | July 26, 2005 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest