Writing Table
ca. 1851 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
From 1847 until his death in 1852, A.W.N. Pugin provided designs for the new Palace of Westminster, which replaced the one destroyed by fire in 1834. He worked with the architect, Sir Charles Barry. Although some ceremonial pieces, such as the throne in the House of Lords, were made by John Webb, an antique dealer and cabinet-maker of Bond Street, most furniture intended for everyday use was provided by either Gillow & Co. or Holland & Sons, both regular suppliers of furniture for government commissions.
This table shows Pugin's genius in combining his favourite Gothic carving and structural details with a practical function. The table, on castors, was designed for the House of Lords, where the hinged top could be easily raised for use by peers sitting on the front benches. Although Pugin preferred to use oak for his Westminster furniture, this restriction was relaxed after his death.
This table shows Pugin's genius in combining his favourite Gothic carving and structural details with a practical function. The table, on castors, was designed for the House of Lords, where the hinged top could be easily raised for use by peers sitting on the front benches. Although Pugin preferred to use oak for his Westminster furniture, this restriction was relaxed after his death.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Walnut, carved, moulded and chamfered |
| Brief description | Writing table, walnut, carved, moulded and chamfered; designed by Augustus Pugin, made in London, ca. 1851. |
| Physical description | Writing table in walnut, on castors, with a hinged lid and carving imitating the Gothic style. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Gallery label | WRITING TABLE
ENGLISH: 1849-1850
Designed by A.W.N. Pugin (1812-1852)
Made by Gillow or Holland & Son, London
Walnut
From the Handley-Read Collection
Pugin designed a number of these tables for use at the front benches of the House of Lords Chamber and examples survive in the New Palace of Westminster.(pre July 2001) |
| Object history | Another writing table of the same design but in oak and attributed to Crace & Sons was with The Fine Art Society, London, 2000. |
| Summary | From 1847 until his death in 1852, A.W.N. Pugin provided designs for the new Palace of Westminster, which replaced the one destroyed by fire in 1834. He worked with the architect, Sir Charles Barry. Although some ceremonial pieces, such as the throne in the House of Lords, were made by John Webb, an antique dealer and cabinet-maker of Bond Street, most furniture intended for everyday use was provided by either Gillow & Co. or Holland & Sons, both regular suppliers of furniture for government commissions. This table shows Pugin's genius in combining his favourite Gothic carving and structural details with a practical function. The table, on castors, was designed for the House of Lords, where the hinged top could be easily raised for use by peers sitting on the front benches. Although Pugin preferred to use oak for his Westminster furniture, this restriction was relaxed after his death. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.27-1972 |
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| Record created | July 19, 2001 |
| Record URL |
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