On loan
  • On short term loan out for exhibition

This object consists of 6 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Wardrobe

1916 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This wardrobe is thought to have been part of a suite of furniture decorated for the London apartment of Madame Lalla Vandervelde, wife of the Belgian War Minister.

In July 1913, Roger Fry opened Omega Workshops Ltd., in Fitzroy Street, London. Fry was a promoter of decorative arts, and wanted to remove the division in perception between the fine and decorative arts. In the workshop, artists produced pieces that were anonymous, signed only with the Greek letter Omega.

The wardrobe itself is an ordinary cupboar, decorated by the Omega Workshops. Stylistically, Omega rejected formal decorative schemes in favour of abstracted figurative designs, often inspired by folk art as well as by continental movements such as Fauvism and Cubism. Fry wanted works to be appreciated for their aesthetic quality and not purchased because they were produced by a popular artist. The workshops were short-lived and a closing sale was held in June 1919.

Object details

Category
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 6 parts.

  • Wardrobe
  • Key
  • Shelf
  • Shelf
  • Shelf
  • Shelf
Materials and techniques
Painted wood
Brief description
Wardrobe, possibly painted by Roger Fry from the Omega Workshops, English, 1916
Physical description
Single door wardrobe, painted wood. Carcase painted brown with five shelves. Door panel decorated with leaf and stem motif in blue and ochre on a light brown ground. Surround in green.

Note on key: does not work (2018)
Dimensions
  • Height: 177cm
  • Depth: 29.2cm
  • Width: 67.8cm
Taken from register
Gallery label
WARDROBE (single door) Possibly painted by Roger Fry (British, 1866-1934) Decorated for Omega Workshops, London Painted wood 1916 Said to have been part of a suite of furniture decorated for the apartment of Madame Lalla Vandervelde, the wife of the Belgian War Minister, in Rosetti Mansions, Flood Street, London. The suite itself probably consisted of ready-made pieces purchased by Omega for decorating. Bequest of Mrs F.C.O. Speyer Circ.270-1975(1989-2006)
Credit line
Bequeathed by Mrs F.C.O. Speyer
Object history
Said to have been part of a suite of furniture decorated for the apartment of Madame Lalla Vandervelde, the wife of the Belgian War Minister, in Rosetti Mansions, Flood Street, London (information from donor).

Another wardrobe, a bed and two corner cupboards, which are also said to have been made for her flat, are in the V&A collection (CIRC.270 - 1975 and CIRC.272 to CIRC.273-1975).
Historical context
Probably used as part of a bedroom suite by Lalla Vandervelde
Production
Decorated for Omega Workshops
Summary
This wardrobe is thought to have been part of a suite of furniture decorated for the London apartment of Madame Lalla Vandervelde, wife of the Belgian War Minister.

In July 1913, Roger Fry opened Omega Workshops Ltd., in Fitzroy Street, London. Fry was a promoter of decorative arts, and wanted to remove the division in perception between the fine and decorative arts. In the workshop, artists produced pieces that were anonymous, signed only with the Greek letter Omega.

The wardrobe itself is an ordinary cupboar, decorated by the Omega Workshops. Stylistically, Omega rejected formal decorative schemes in favour of abstracted figurative designs, often inspired by folk art as well as by continental movements such as Fauvism and Cubism. Fry wanted works to be appreciated for their aesthetic quality and not purchased because they were produced by a popular artist. The workshops were short-lived and a closing sale was held in June 1919.
Associated objects
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.271:1to:2-1975

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Record createdFebruary 7, 2007
Record URL
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