Cabinet
late 19th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
A design for a very similar cabinet survives in one of Godwin's sketchbooks, now in the the Print Room at the V&A Museum (E.233-1963). This indicates that the cabinet, as outlined in the sketchbook, was probably intended for the Paris International Exhibition of 1878. However, there is no proof that the cabinet, as made, with slight modifications to the top, was actually shown.
The design shows a number of influences. Anglo-Japanese motifs have been employed, for instance, in the bell-shaped, seemingly Gothic, lattice openings on the lower doors. These were copied from volume five of the Hokusai Manga (1816) which Godwin owned. The upper balustrade of the cabinet in turn is reminiscent of Japanese exterior architecture. In spite of this, however, the cabinet's overall form and lightness, the reeded mouldings and the use of satinwood, are closely related to late 18th-century English cabinet designs by Thomas Sheraton.
The design shows a number of influences. Anglo-Japanese motifs have been employed, for instance, in the bell-shaped, seemingly Gothic, lattice openings on the lower doors. These were copied from volume five of the Hokusai Manga (1816) which Godwin owned. The upper balustrade of the cabinet in turn is reminiscent of Japanese exterior architecture. In spite of this, however, the cabinet's overall form and lightness, the reeded mouldings and the use of satinwood, are closely related to late 18th-century English cabinet designs by Thomas Sheraton.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 4 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Carcase of mahogany, with satinwood (or bird's-eye maple) veneer, brass mounts and epoxy resin handles (replacement of originals); upper doors decorated with four painted and gilt panels |
| Brief description | Cabinet, satinwood with brass mounts, ivory handles and painted panels of the Four Seasons; designed by E.W. Godwin and made by William Watt, British about 1877 |
| Physical description | Cabinet, mahogany carcase veneered in satinwood (or bird's-eye maple), with brass mounts and epoxy resin handles (replacement of originals), the upper doors decorated with four painted and gilt panels representing the Seasons. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Given by members of the Handley-Read family in memory of Charles and Lavinia Handley-Read |
| Object history | Possibly designed for the White House in Tite Street which Godwin designed for his friend Whistler. The cabinet was later acquired by Charles and Lavinia Handley-Read and was photographed in their house at 82 Ladbroke Road, London (Photograph in the Higgins Museum, Bedford). Godwin's design for a cabinet which relates to many elements of the 'Four Seasons' cabinet was published in The Building News, 10 May 1886. A cabinet made to this 1886 design, constructed of mahogany with brass and ivory, was sold by Leski Auctions, Armadale, Victoria, 28 October 2018, lot 198. |
| Production | Attribution note: The painitings on the doors are decorated, from left to right, depict Spring - a woman with vase; Summer - a man with sickle; Autumn - a man digging; Winter - an old man taking off his shoes by the fire. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | A design for a very similar cabinet survives in one of Godwin's sketchbooks, now in the the Print Room at the V&A Museum (E.233-1963). This indicates that the cabinet, as outlined in the sketchbook, was probably intended for the Paris International Exhibition of 1878. However, there is no proof that the cabinet, as made, with slight modifications to the top, was actually shown. The design shows a number of influences. Anglo-Japanese motifs have been employed, for instance, in the bell-shaped, seemingly Gothic, lattice openings on the lower doors. These were copied from volume five of the Hokusai Manga (1816) which Godwin owned. The upper balustrade of the cabinet in turn is reminiscent of Japanese exterior architecture. In spite of this, however, the cabinet's overall form and lightness, the reeded mouldings and the use of satinwood, are closely related to late 18th-century English cabinet designs by Thomas Sheraton. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.15:1 to 4-1972 |
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| Record created | January 5, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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