Not currently on display at the V&A

Harlequin and the Merrie Devil of Edmonton

Drawing
December 1839 (drawn)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Series of seven sketches for the pantomime of Harlequin and the Merrie Devil of Edmonton, or The Great Bed of Ware. The sketches are by Henry Scharf. The pantomime was produced at Covent Garden in December 1839; the scenery for the production was designed by 'Mr Grieve, Mr T. Grieve and Mr W. Grieve'; decorations by Mr. W. Bradwell.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • Harlequin and the Merrie Devil of Edmonton (assigned by artist)
  • Harlequin and the Great Bed of Ware (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Pencil drawing
Brief description
Series of seven small pencil drawings for the pantomime of Harlequin and the Merrie Devil of Edmonton, or The Great Bed of Ware, by Henry Scharf, 1839.
Physical description
Seven small pencil sketches, pasted on a sheet of white paper and backed on card. The first four sketches respectively represent scenes 1 to 4 of the pantomime Harlequin and the Merrie Devil of Edmonton. Sketches five and six are both of scene 5. The final sketch represents the throne of Henry 8th.
Dimensions
  • Size of paper sheet on which drawings are pasted height: 34.5cm
  • Size of paper sheet on which drawings are pasted width: 21.9 (cm)
  • Size of card mount height: 36.2cm
  • Size of card mount width: 26.5cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'Pantomime of The Merry Devil of Edmonton Scene I' (Handwritten in pencil at the bottom of the first drawing.)
  • 'Merrie Devil of Edmonton Scene 2' (Handwritten in pencil on the second drawing, top right of the page.)
  • 'Merrie Devil of Edmonton Scene 2' (Handwritten in pencil at the bottom of the second drawing.)
  • 'Merrie Devil of Edmonton Scene 3' (Handwritten in pencil at the bottom of the third drawing.)
  • 'Merry Devil Scene 4' (Handwritten in pencil at the bottom of the fourth drawing.)
  • 'Merrie Devil of Edmonton Scene 5' (Handwritten in pencil at the bottom of the fifth drawing.)
  • 'Merrie Devil of Edmonton Scene 5' (Handwritten in pencil at the bottom of the sixth drawing.)
  • 'Henry 8th Throne' (Handwritten in pencil at the bottom of the seventh drawing.)
  • 'Harlequin and the [...]rrie Devil of Edmonton or the [...]t Bed of Ware' (Handwritten in pen, bottom left hand corner.)
  • 'Sketched in the theatre by H Scharf' (Handwritten in pen, bottom right hand corner.)
  • 'C.G. Dec 26 1839' (Handwritten in pencil, bottom right hand corner.)
  • Transliteration
Credit line
Gabrielle Enthoven Collection
Object history
'The Great Bed of Ware of Queen Elizabeth's reign (circa 1558-1603) is the most magnificent and wonderful example of the period. Richly carved - the headboard of the bedstead is ornamented with two large panels with circular-headed arches which are filled with an architectural design; [...]. It was evidently made for someone of importance and intended to be housed in a room of suitable proportions such as would only be found in the house of the wealthy [...].'

'At Christmas, 1839, the Great Bed figured in the pantomime at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, entitled Harlequin and the Merrie devil of Edmonton or The Great Bed of Ware. For a foundation of this pantomime Mr. H. Younge selected a quaint seventeenth century tale, The Life and Death of the Merrie Devil of Edmonton, written by T.B., and published in 1631, and embroidered it very fancifully, as is ever the custom in pantomime, introducing quite imaginary incidents connected with the Great Bed [...].'

'In the Enthoven Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum are a series of pencil sketches of the stage settings of the various scenes of the pantomime. That of scene vi shows a large bed quite different in its ornament from the Great Bed, and with 1463 on its footboards. These sketches are by Henry Scharf, made when he was only seventeen years old. He was a brother of Sir George Scharf F.S.A., who was Director of the National Portrait Gallery for many years.'

The above historical notes are taken from a small brochure produced when The Great Bed of Ware was exhibited at Frank Partridge & Sons Ltd., 26 King Street, St. James, London, S.W.1; credit for this information is given to Mr Herbert C. Andrews. A copy of the brochure is housed in the V&A Theatre and Performance department, Covent Garden Theatre production file, December 1839.
Literary references
  • Harlequin and the Merrie Devil of Edmonton
  • The Great Bed of Ware
Summary
Series of seven sketches for the pantomime of Harlequin and the Merrie Devil of Edmonton, or The Great Bed of Ware. The sketches are by Henry Scharf. The pantomime was produced at Covent Garden in December 1839; the scenery for the production was designed by 'Mr Grieve, Mr T. Grieve and Mr W. Grieve'; decorations by Mr. W. Bradwell.
Collection
Accession number
S.811-2011

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Record createdJanuary 20, 2012
Record URL
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