Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Not currently on display at the V&A
On display at Kew Palace, Royal Botanic Gardens

Puzzle

1760s (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This dissected map of Italy was possibly drawn by Lady Charlotte Finch, and cut to her direction. The original dissection may have been more extensive, as Savoy is cut from a different coloured wood. It was held in Lady Charlotte Finch's puzzle cabinet, in which she kept the dissected map puzzles she had commissioned for the children of George III, in her role as Royal Governess.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Mahogany inscribed in ink and cut to shape.
Brief description
Manuscript dissection puzzle of Italy, 1760s, mahogany, from Lady Charlotte Finch's puzzle cabinet.
Physical description
Manuscript dissection puzzle of Italy, from 1750s, thin mahogany with names inscribed in ink in French and cut to shape along province lines in 17 pieces.
Dimensions
  • Height: 43.3cm
  • Width: 35cm
Production typeUnique
Credit line
Presented by Art Fund jointly to the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Historic Royal Palaces
Historical context
Lady Charlotte Finch (1725-1813) was governess to the children of King George III for 30 years from 1762-1792. In this time, she oversaw 14 of the king and queen's 15 children.
Subjects depicted
Place depicted
Association
Summary
This dissected map of Italy was possibly drawn by Lady Charlotte Finch, and cut to her direction. The original dissection may have been more extensive, as Savoy is cut from a different coloured wood. It was held in Lady Charlotte Finch's puzzle cabinet, in which she kept the dissected map puzzles she had commissioned for the children of George III, in her role as Royal Governess.
Bibliographic reference
Shefrin, Jill. Such Constant Affectionate Care: Lady Charlotte Finch - Royal Governess & the Children of George III . Los Angeles: The Cotsen Occasional Press, 2003
Collection
Accession number
B.16-2011

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Record createdNovember 24, 2011
Record URL
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