Cabinet designed by W.A.S. Benson, mahogany and satinwood with marble slabs and silvered mounts. Made in London by Morris & Co. or J.S. Henry, ca. 1900-1913.

Mahogany cabinet with marble top and silvered mounts.

Given by Anthony E. Snell

A closely related cabinet, but with six legs, not eight as in the V&A example, was exhibited by the firm of J.S. Henry at the International Exhibition in Paris in 1900; see The Furniture Record, 13 July 1900, p.21, Fig. 1. It was described as 'of snakewood, with purple wood panels; the metalwork is oxidised silver, and a special quality of green marble is selected for the slabs covering the half-round centre and ends. The rich hues of woods, metal, and marble, compose a harmony of colour delightful to the eye, and the unaccustomed shape is a relief from conventional designs.'

Another related cabinet, again with six legs, was featured in the Morris & Co. catalogue of c.1913 (no. 140), where it was described as a 'Mahogany commode inlaid with satinwood. Dull brass mountings and rich slabs of Verde Antique marble', and offered for £60.

An apparently identical cabinet was sold by Sworder's, Stansted Mountfitchet, on 29 January 2019, as reported in the Antique Trade Gazette 2380 (23 February 2019), p.22.

Object sampling carried out by Jo Darrah, V&A Science; drawer/slide reference 5/5.

This cabinet was designed by W.A.S. Benson and was made by either J.S. Henry, which exhibited a similar cabinet at the International Exhibition in Paris in 1900, or by the firm of Morris & Co., of which Benson became chairman following the death of William Morris in 1896.

W.12:1-1978