Clothes Press
ca. 1815 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This cabinet and its stand are japanned (varnished to imitate lacquer) and inset with cartouches (panels) of actual Chinese lacquer-work. The japanning is of the highest quality. For example, the cartouches are set in a background decorated with delicate touches of gold paint. This effect imitates gold flakes scattered over lacquer (a natural resin) or the look of lacquered snakeskin. The doors open to reveal three trays. The piece's exceptional quality is illustrated again by the fact that these trays are veneered in expensive rosewood, both on the exposed front section and also on the sides and base.
Ownership & use
This cabinet belonged to a suite of furniture which included a day bed and a sécretaire, probably for a bedroom at the Brighton Pavilion, the Orientalist fantasy palace built for the Prince Regent (later George IV). It is fitted with a drawer and sliding trays for storing clothes.
People
This piece was probably designed by Frederick Crace (1779-1859). Frederick was the son of the fashionable and highly successful decorator John Crace (1754-1819). Both supplied their London customers with numerous objects, including textiles, ivories and furniture, from East Asia. Hence they were deeply knowledgeable about authentic Chinese and Japanese designs.
This cabinet and its stand are japanned (varnished to imitate lacquer) and inset with cartouches (panels) of actual Chinese lacquer-work. The japanning is of the highest quality. For example, the cartouches are set in a background decorated with delicate touches of gold paint. This effect imitates gold flakes scattered over lacquer (a natural resin) or the look of lacquered snakeskin. The doors open to reveal three trays. The piece's exceptional quality is illustrated again by the fact that these trays are veneered in expensive rosewood, both on the exposed front section and also on the sides and base.
Ownership & use
This cabinet belonged to a suite of furniture which included a day bed and a sécretaire, probably for a bedroom at the Brighton Pavilion, the Orientalist fantasy palace built for the Prince Regent (later George IV). It is fitted with a drawer and sliding trays for storing clothes.
People
This piece was probably designed by Frederick Crace (1779-1859). Frederick was the son of the fashionable and highly successful decorator John Crace (1754-1819). Both supplied their London customers with numerous objects, including textiles, ivories and furniture, from East Asia. Hence they were deeply knowledgeable about authentic Chinese and Japanese designs.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 8 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | |
| Brief description | Clothes press veneered with rosewood and japanned in black and gold, England, ca. 1815, probably made in the workshop of Frederick Crace |
| Physical description | Oak, lime and chestnut clothes press, veneered with rosewood and japanned in black and gold and inset with cartouches of Chinese lacquer-work. The two front doors open to reveal three trays |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Given by Mrs J. G. Hodges |
| Object history | The decoration, which copies Chinese lacquer, is close to work produced in the London workshops of Frederick Crace, who was employed at the Brighton Pavilion for the Prince of Wales. Crace is known to have based his designs on authentic Chinese lacquer. |
| Summary | Object Type This cabinet and its stand are japanned (varnished to imitate lacquer) and inset with cartouches (panels) of actual Chinese lacquer-work. The japanning is of the highest quality. For example, the cartouches are set in a background decorated with delicate touches of gold paint. This effect imitates gold flakes scattered over lacquer (a natural resin) or the look of lacquered snakeskin. The doors open to reveal three trays. The piece's exceptional quality is illustrated again by the fact that these trays are veneered in expensive rosewood, both on the exposed front section and also on the sides and base. Ownership & use This cabinet belonged to a suite of furniture which included a day bed and a sécretaire, probably for a bedroom at the Brighton Pavilion, the Orientalist fantasy palace built for the Prince Regent (later George IV). It is fitted with a drawer and sliding trays for storing clothes. People This piece was probably designed by Frederick Crace (1779-1859). Frederick was the son of the fashionable and highly successful decorator John Crace (1754-1819). Both supplied their London customers with numerous objects, including textiles, ivories and furniture, from East Asia. Hence they were deeply knowledgeable about authentic Chinese and Japanese designs. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.1:1 to 8-1966 |
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| Record created | January 29, 2001 |
| Record URL |
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