Writing Table
ca.1750-ca.1755 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
Back-to-back writing tables became fashionable during the reign (1727-1760) of George II. Together they formed a large centre-table for a library. The elaborate profile and mounts indicate that these tables were also a fashion statement. As such they could be used separately in bedrooms or dressing rooms for storing personal belongings as well as writing equipment.
Design & Designing
This table has a long well-fitted desk drawer with a writing slide which pulls forward on corner-truss supports. This concept was developed by Thomas Chippendale in 1760 and published in the third edition of The Gentleman and Cabinet Maker's Director (1762) as plate 82. The elaborate curved front of the table is also close to a 1761 design for a cabinet published by Chippendale in 1762 as plate 122.
Place
A description of 'Two Library tables ... of the most elegant construction and exquisitie workmanship' sold at Fonthill Splendens in 1801 has been linked with the V&A table and its pair, which was sold at auction in New York in 2000. The huge Palladian mansion of Fonthill Splendens in Wiltshire was built for Alderman William Beckford (1709-1770), father of the wealthy collector William Beckford (1760-1844). The elder Beckford was also known for his extravagant taste, and is likely to have expressly commissioned such elaborate furniture as this writing table. (The younger Beckford was later to sell off some of Fonthill Splendens's contents - apparently including this table - prior to demolishing the house in 1807 and replacing it with the neo-Gothic Fonthill 'Abbey'.)
Back-to-back writing tables became fashionable during the reign (1727-1760) of George II. Together they formed a large centre-table for a library. The elaborate profile and mounts indicate that these tables were also a fashion statement. As such they could be used separately in bedrooms or dressing rooms for storing personal belongings as well as writing equipment.
Design & Designing
This table has a long well-fitted desk drawer with a writing slide which pulls forward on corner-truss supports. This concept was developed by Thomas Chippendale in 1760 and published in the third edition of The Gentleman and Cabinet Maker's Director (1762) as plate 82. The elaborate curved front of the table is also close to a 1761 design for a cabinet published by Chippendale in 1762 as plate 122.
Place
A description of 'Two Library tables ... of the most elegant construction and exquisitie workmanship' sold at Fonthill Splendens in 1801 has been linked with the V&A table and its pair, which was sold at auction in New York in 2000. The huge Palladian mansion of Fonthill Splendens in Wiltshire was built for Alderman William Beckford (1709-1770), father of the wealthy collector William Beckford (1760-1844). The elder Beckford was also known for his extravagant taste, and is likely to have expressly commissioned such elaborate furniture as this writing table. (The younger Beckford was later to sell off some of Fonthill Splendens's contents - apparently including this table - prior to demolishing the house in 1807 and replacing it with the neo-Gothic Fonthill 'Abbey'.)
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 23 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Mahogany and padouk, inlaid with brass; gilt-bronze mounts |
| Brief description | Library Commode. mahogany with padouk cross-banding, ormolu (gilt-brass) mouldings, mounts, and inlay, England, ca. 1750-55 |
| Physical description | Commode. mahogany with padouk cross-banding, ormolu (gilt-brass) mouldings, mounts, and inlay. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Purchased with Art Fund support and assistance from H. Blairman and Sons |
| Object history | Possibly one of a pair from Fonthill Splendens, Wiltshire. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Object Type Back-to-back writing tables became fashionable during the reign (1727-1760) of George II. Together they formed a large centre-table for a library. The elaborate profile and mounts indicate that these tables were also a fashion statement. As such they could be used separately in bedrooms or dressing rooms for storing personal belongings as well as writing equipment. Design & Designing This table has a long well-fitted desk drawer with a writing slide which pulls forward on corner-truss supports. This concept was developed by Thomas Chippendale in 1760 and published in the third edition of The Gentleman and Cabinet Maker's Director (1762) as plate 82. The elaborate curved front of the table is also close to a 1761 design for a cabinet published by Chippendale in 1762 as plate 122. Place A description of 'Two Library tables ... of the most elegant construction and exquisitie workmanship' sold at Fonthill Splendens in 1801 has been linked with the V&A table and its pair, which was sold at auction in New York in 2000. The huge Palladian mansion of Fonthill Splendens in Wiltshire was built for Alderman William Beckford (1709-1770), father of the wealthy collector William Beckford (1760-1844). The elder Beckford was also known for his extravagant taste, and is likely to have expressly commissioned such elaborate furniture as this writing table. (The younger Beckford was later to sell off some of Fonthill Splendens's contents - apparently including this table - prior to demolishing the house in 1807 and replacing it with the neo-Gothic Fonthill 'Abbey'.) |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.4:1 to 23-1956 |
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| Record created | July 5, 2001 |
| Record URL |
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