Cupboard Door
1500-1540 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Cupboard door (one of a symmetrical pair). Oak, carved in low relief with arabesques on its front enclosed by a moulded edge, the back undecorated with paper strips applied over cracks caused by cross-grain shrinkage. The low relief carved design on the upper half of the door consists of an ornamental tied ribbon, from which hangs a cornice with matching pair of vases; attached to the underside of the cornice is a symmetrical arrangment of scrolling stems, in the middle of which is a pair of grotesque dolphins.
A metal escutcheon is nailed to match the position of a similar one on the companion door, but there is no keyhole or lock behind. The halves of two metal pin hinges are attached, apparently over the mortices for previous hinges.
The door consists of four vertically grained oak boards butted together and carved in the solid; applied, mitred mouldings act as a framing on the front. A batten has been attached along the top and bottom to extend the height of the door.
A metal escutcheon is nailed to match the position of a similar one on the companion door, but there is no keyhole or lock behind. The halves of two metal pin hinges are attached, apparently over the mortices for previous hinges.
The door consists of four vertically grained oak boards butted together and carved in the solid; applied, mitred mouldings act as a framing on the front. A batten has been attached along the top and bottom to extend the height of the door.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Carved oak |
| Brief description | Carved oak cupboard door; France;1500-40 |
| Physical description | Cupboard door (one of a symmetrical pair). Oak, carved in low relief with arabesques on its front enclosed by a moulded edge, the back undecorated with paper strips applied over cracks caused by cross-grain shrinkage. The low relief carved design on the upper half of the door consists of an ornamental tied ribbon, from which hangs a cornice with matching pair of vases; attached to the underside of the cornice is a symmetrical arrangment of scrolling stems, in the middle of which is a pair of grotesque dolphins. A metal escutcheon is nailed to match the position of a similar one on the companion door, but there is no keyhole or lock behind. The halves of two metal pin hinges are attached, apparently over the mortices for previous hinges. The door consists of four vertically grained oak boards butted together and carved in the solid; applied, mitred mouldings act as a framing on the front. A batten has been attached along the top and bottom to extend the height of the door. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Bought for £23 6s 9d Purchased from Mons. R Duseigneur, 3 Rue de l'Abbayet, Paris (also listed as 33 Rue de Villejust) In a museum memo of 23/4/1892 Thomas Armstrong wrote "These doors are of very fine quality and carving and the design is good.' The high price was considered justified by the vendor by their rarity. Duseigneur supplied a photoraph of the doors (on file). No information was supplied as to the provenance of the doors. RP 4087/1892 3053/92; 3455/92; 4251/92 |
| Bibliographic reference | ROWE, Eleanor (ed.), French Wood Carvings from the National Museums
First Series - Late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries (London, 1896), pl. XVII
'PLATE XVII. These cupboard doors carved in oak, are two of the most beautiful specimens of French carving belonging to the South Kensington Museum, and are very characteristic of the carving done during the reign of Francis I. It will be seen in this design how all the carving has been kept to the upper part of the panel, and so skilfully is it arranged that we do not seem to require it anywhere else. The ornament is suspended from the top, and has no upward growth, which, I think, accounts for the satisfactory effect obtained. The ribbon is treated very broadly, yet how easily it twists and turns. The ornament is compact, light and graceful, and not frittered by over elaboration of detail. The relief of the carving is a little under half an inch, the greatest projections being the ribbons and the mouldings to which the ribbons are attached.' |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 361-1892 |
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| Record created | June 17, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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