Cheval Mirror
1926-1927 (manufactured)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This cheval mirror 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 rare materials, including shagreen (sharkskin) and ebony veneer. The decorative stringing is made of ivory and even the carcase of the mirror is made of expensive mahogany. The slender legs and delicate lines are similar to Art Deco furniture from Paris, fashionable at just this moment.
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 cheval glass 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 cheval glass 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 | Cheval mirror probably designed by J.F. Johnson and made by Heals, London, 1926-1927, for Dodie Smith. Part of an 11-part set, W.3-1975 to W.13-1875. |
| Physical description | Cheval mirror made of mahogany and veneered with ebony and shagreen, with ivory handles and stringing. |
| Object history | Made for the author Dodie Smith |
| Summary | This cheval mirror 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 rare materials, including shagreen (sharkskin) and ebony veneer. The decorative stringing is made of ivory and even the carcase of the mirror is made of expensive mahogany. The slender legs and delicate lines are similar to Art Deco furniture from Paris, fashionable at just this moment. 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 cheval glass 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. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.13-1975 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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