Cabinet. Designer: William Burges, 1827-1881. Painted: Sir Edward Poynter. 1858 for Harland and Fisher, London. Pine and Mahogany, painted, stencilled, and gilded with metal leaf, lcok and hinged of iron. Inscribed: “HERBER GEO YATMAN CAUSED ME TO BE MADE IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD MDCCCLVIII.” Given by Lieutenant Colonel P. H. W. Russell. Museum np. Circ.217-1961.Collection: Courtesy of the Victoria & Albert Museum (2018). Information above and below from the V&A label. [Click on images to enlarge them.]<
”Burges based this design on the famous painted armoires he had seen in the painted cathedrals of northern France. His design adapts several medieval features, including a sloping roof and double folding doors. The cabinet is painted with scenes taken from classical and Medieval history representing literature, the alphabet and printing.’
Writing in the form of carving on stone, pen and ink on vellum, and the printing press. The figures represented and possibly Dante in the middle and Gutenberg on the right.
Upper and middle panels on front of cabinet.
Bibliography
Architect-Designers from Pugin to Mackintosh. Exhibition catalogue. London: The Fine Art Society with Haslam & Whiteway Ltd., 1981.
Crook, J. Mordaunt. "Two Pieces of Painted Furtniture by William Burges." Morris and Company. Exhibition catalogue. London: The Fine Art Society with Haslam & Whiteway Ltd., 1979. Crook explains the direction Burges took after he moved away from William Morris and the kind of furniture exemplified by this cabinet.
Lawt modified 31 March 2018