Table thumbnail 1
Table thumbnail 2
+6
images
On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

This object consists of 5 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Table

ca. 1870-1880 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
This table was made in England in the 19th century, in the style of French furniture from the 18th century. The marquetry gives the clue to its origin, because English work differs from French in the proportions of the trellis design and the placement of the small circles of ebony - the English lozenge is less elongated.

People
Donald Ross, the maker of this table, worked in Denmark Street in Soho, London. He was known as 'Thomas Henry Gallic Ross', and made reproduction furniture rather than forgeries. In 1911, when the Museum acquired it, the table was thought to be a genuine Louis XVI piece. Thomas Ross, the maker's son, wrote to the Museum in 1928 stating that several 'French, 18th-century' pieces in its collection had in fact been made by his father.

Materials & Making
The carcase and drawer of this table are made of mahogany, over which is laid a veneer of marquetry. The trellis is made up of strips of purplewood, boxwood and ebony, and the small circles are of ebony, while the ground is of satinwood.

Object details

Category
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 5 parts.

  • Table
  • Drawer
  • Table
  • Drawer
  • Parquetry Sample
Materials and techniques
Mahogany, with marquetry of various woods, and gilt-brass mounts
Brief description
Pair of tables, English, 1848-1852, made by Donald Ross
Physical description
Pair of tables of mahogany with marquetry of various woods and mounts of gilt brass. Rectangular top containing a drawer, slightly tapered straight legs connected by a shelf. The surface is covered with marquetry designs of intersecting bands forming lozenge shaped compartments.
Dimensions
  • Height: 67cm
  • Width: 41.6cm
  • Depth: 36.6cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 24/05/1999 by LH
Gallery label
(27/03/2003)
British Galleries:
When this table was left to the Museum it was thought to date from about 1780. In 1928 the son of the maker identified it as his father's work. It illustrates just how skilful British makers became in imitating earlier French styles.
Credit line
Capt. H. B. Murray Bequest
Object history
Made in London by Donald Ross (died in London, 1916)
Summary
Object Type
This table was made in England in the 19th century, in the style of French furniture from the 18th century. The marquetry gives the clue to its origin, because English work differs from French in the proportions of the trellis design and the placement of the small circles of ebony - the English lozenge is less elongated.

People
Donald Ross, the maker of this table, worked in Denmark Street in Soho, London. He was known as 'Thomas Henry Gallic Ross', and made reproduction furniture rather than forgeries. In 1911, when the Museum acquired it, the table was thought to be a genuine Louis XVI piece. Thomas Ross, the maker's son, wrote to the Museum in 1928 stating that several 'French, 18th-century' pieces in its collection had in fact been made by his father.

Materials & Making
The carcase and drawer of this table are made of mahogany, over which is laid a veneer of marquetry. The trellis is made up of strips of purplewood, boxwood and ebony, and the small circles are of ebony, while the ground is of satinwood.
Collection
Accession number
W.47:1, 2-1911, W.47A&B-1911

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Record createdMarch 27, 2003
Record URL
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