Model staircase, English, 1800-40, mahogany, gift of Queen Mary

Model staircase made of mahogany on a painted metal base. The upper portion consists of two spiral flights of stairs meeting at the top in a landing with projecting semi-circular ends which is supported on a turned column ornamented with carved and faceted bosses. The stairs have hand-rails and turned balusters supported on a moulded stringing and finish in turned newel posts. This double-flight of stairs rests on a platform of oval shape surrounded by a hand-rail with balusters and on one side two further staircases descend, corresponding in design with the upper portioon. The metal plinth is painted in imitation of marble with light panels enclosed between darker borders.

Given by H.M. Queen Mary

This model is a hand-crafted virtuoso piece, made to display the wood-turner's skill. It does not relate to any known staircase, although a wooden staircase of similar design can be seen at Chevening House, Kent. The Chevening staircase, on a circular and self-supporting scheme, was designed by the architect Nicholas Dubois in 1720 for James, first Earl Stanhope.

The model staircase originated in the collection of Queen Mary's sister in law, Margaret, Marchioness of Cambridge, who died in 1929. After her death, Queen Mary donated it to the V&A.

In 1996, Roland Dawson, a shift supervisor at the V&A who had worked there since 1980, chose this staircase as his favourite exhibit for an article in the Sunday Times, October 1996. He was photographed with the staircase for the magazine.

W.55-1929