Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
British Galleries, Room 118; The Wolfson Gallery

This object consists of 2 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Pattern Board

ca. 1787-90 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
Pattern boards were either used in workshops to guide painters and carvers or in shops or warehouses, to allow clients to choose details of a pattern. This board shows two colourways on the two sides, with slight variations in the design. The design, with the Prince of Wales' feathers and drapery, is thought to have originated in about 1787, when the then Prince of Wales took on the powers of regent, at a time when his father, George III, was suffering a temporary bout of insanity, as a result of the illness porphyria. The design became very popular and was published in a design book as late as 1802.

Subjects Depicted
The board depicts the back of a chair, decorated with the Prince of Wales feathers, laurel leaves and berries. It is similar to a design of about 1788 by the prolific Lancaster firm of Gillow & Co.

Time
From about 1770, painted furniture was widely used, particularly in bedchambers and dressing rooms. Painted Adam-style designs became popular and the Prince of Wales feathers became a common motif after Prince George (later George IV) came of age in 1783.

Materials & Making
The board is a panel of pine made up from two vertically grained planks of unequal size. It has two crossed battens, a backplate, two rings and steel spring at the back. These allow the panel to be mounted and adjusted by the user.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Pattern Board
  • Stand
Materials and techniques
Painted pinewood, the stand in beech and elm
Brief description
Pattern board of pine, painted with a chair back with two variants of decoration. English, c. 1790
Physical description
A rectangular board of pine, painted on one side with a chair back showing the Prince of Wales' feathers and drapery, the board showing two colour variations on the two sides of the chairback. The board is attached by brass rings at the back to a pole stand, with a simple, turned base. The board can be adjusted in height
Style
Gallery label
British Galleries: This board shows two slightly different schemes for painting the back of a chair. It was probably used by a furniture decorator as a sample board. Painted Adam-style ornament became common on furniture in the 1780s.(27/03/2003)
Object history
Made in Britain
Production
Susan Stuart suggests that this design was created in about 1787, when the Prince of Wales temporarily took on a Regency, at a time when his father, George III was temporarily insance as a result of the illness porphyria
Summary
Object Type
Pattern boards were either used in workshops to guide painters and carvers or in shops or warehouses, to allow clients to choose details of a pattern. This board shows two colourways on the two sides, with slight variations in the design. The design, with the Prince of Wales' feathers and drapery, is thought to have originated in about 1787, when the then Prince of Wales took on the powers of regent, at a time when his father, George III, was suffering a temporary bout of insanity, as a result of the illness porphyria. The design became very popular and was published in a design book as late as 1802.

Subjects Depicted
The board depicts the back of a chair, decorated with the Prince of Wales feathers, laurel leaves and berries. It is similar to a design of about 1788 by the prolific Lancaster firm of Gillow & Co.

Time
From about 1770, painted furniture was widely used, particularly in bedchambers and dressing rooms. Painted Adam-style designs became popular and the Prince of Wales feathers became a common motif after Prince George (later George IV) came of age in 1783.

Materials & Making
The board is a panel of pine made up from two vertically grained planks of unequal size. It has two crossed battens, a backplate, two rings and steel spring at the back. These allow the panel to be mounted and adjusted by the user.
Collection
Accession number
W.11:1, 2-1993

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Record createdMarch 27, 2003
Record URL
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