Cabinet
1926-1927 (manufactured)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This cabinet was made in London but shows the influence of fashionable Parisian furniture. At the time it was made Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann was a leading designer. Like Ruhlmann's furniture, it uses very rare materials, including shagreen (sharkskin) and ebony veneer. The handles and decorative stringing are made of ivory and even the carcase of the cabinet is made of expensive mahogany. The design reflects Art Deco furniture from Paris and, to a lesser extent, French furniture in the neo-classical style made during the period 1770-1800, that influenced designers like Ruhlmann.
The design is probably by J.F. Johnson, who was designing furniture for Heal & Sons at the time. The London firm is more usually associated with the Arts and Crafts style, and this cabinet shows that it was keeping abreast of fashion in the 1920s.
The set of bedroom furniture, of which this forms part, was made for the author Dodie Smith.
The design is probably by J.F. Johnson, who was designing furniture for Heal & Sons at the time. The London firm is more usually associated with the Arts and Crafts style, and this cabinet shows that it was keeping abreast of fashion in the 1920s.
The set of bedroom furniture, of which this forms part, was made for the author Dodie Smith.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | |
| Brief description | Tall cabinet, probably designed by J.F. Johnson and made by Heal & Sons, London, 1926-1927, for Dodie Smith. Part of an 11-part set, W.3-1975 to W.13-1875. |
| Physical description | Tall cabinet with three shelved compartments over a low, single-doored cupboard, made of mahogany and veneered with ebony and shagreen, with ivory handles and stringing. |
| Object history | Made for the author Dodie Smith |
| Summary | This cabinet was made in London but shows the influence of fashionable Parisian furniture. At the time it was made Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann was a leading designer. Like Ruhlmann's furniture, it uses very rare materials, including shagreen (sharkskin) and ebony veneer. The handles and decorative stringing are made of ivory and even the carcase of the cabinet is made of expensive mahogany. The design reflects Art Deco furniture from Paris and, to a lesser extent, French furniture in the neo-classical style made during the period 1770-1800, that influenced designers like Ruhlmann. The design is probably by J.F. Johnson, who was designing furniture for Heal & Sons at the time. The London firm is more usually associated with the Arts and Crafts style, and this cabinet shows that it was keeping abreast of fashion in the 1920s. The set of bedroom furniture, of which this forms part, was made for the author Dodie Smith. |
| Associated objects | |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.9-1975 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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