16/2006
Collection
Furniture
Brief description
Bow-fronted corner cupboard, japanned in blue and gold in imitation of East Asian lacquer, probably made in Europe c.1720- c.1740.
Object name
cupboard
corner cupboard
corner cupboard
Object number
16/2006
Location
On Display
Production date
c.1720-c.1740 (manufactured)
Production place
Europe (made)
Period
Georgian (1714-1837)
Material
wood
pigment
gilding
pigment
gilding
Technique
japanned
gilded
gilded
Physical description
This bow-fronted cupboard is a segment in plan, designed to be hung in the corner of a room. It has a bow front, made up of two shaped doors, the PL door has a moulding which overlaps the PR door. The two doors are attached with two gilt metal pierced hinges apiece and each has an engraved escutcheon plate. The doors are decorated in gold with scenes of figures, foliage and buildings in imitation of lacquer from East Asia.
The cabinet has three internal shelves: the lower two of which have an outward curve, echoing the shape of the doors; the upper shelf has an inward curve. There are a number of holes in the two sides of the back indicating how the cabinet has been attached to the wall or panelling of the room.
The original blue colour of the piece, which was confirmed as Prussian blue in Dr Tracey Chaplin's Pigment Analysis Report 07.07.2006, has been obscured by layers of blue smalt which has discoloured and shellac, as well as being painted green at a later date on the inside. The analysis report also revealed that the interior of the cabinet was originally "painted with red ochre and then varnished; the interior was then gessoed and painted on two occasions with Prussian blue and re varnished, with the varnish discolouring over time. The interior was then painted with the green paint now visible at the surface (which is a mixture of chrome yellow and probably Prussian blue, as found on the exterior of the cabinet), and varnished"
The original gold leaf decoration is still largely intact with red toning and black lines visible in some areas, though there has been some loss in the raised areas. Brass powder paint has been used to recreate worn areas or make additions to the original design. (See Alex Schouvaloff's conservation report)
Object was physically marked with its Object Number on the underside, on 08/02/2010.
The cabinet has three internal shelves: the lower two of which have an outward curve, echoing the shape of the doors; the upper shelf has an inward curve. There are a number of holes in the two sides of the back indicating how the cabinet has been attached to the wall or panelling of the room.
The original blue colour of the piece, which was confirmed as Prussian blue in Dr Tracey Chaplin's Pigment Analysis Report 07.07.2006, has been obscured by layers of blue smalt which has discoloured and shellac, as well as being painted green at a later date on the inside. The analysis report also revealed that the interior of the cabinet was originally "painted with red ochre and then varnished; the interior was then gessoed and painted on two occasions with Prussian blue and re varnished, with the varnish discolouring over time. The interior was then painted with the green paint now visible at the surface (which is a mixture of chrome yellow and probably Prussian blue, as found on the exterior of the cabinet), and varnished"
The original gold leaf decoration is still largely intact with red toning and black lines visible in some areas, though there has been some loss in the raised areas. Brass powder paint has been used to recreate worn areas or make additions to the original design. (See Alex Schouvaloff's conservation report)
Object was physically marked with its Object Number on the underside, on 08/02/2010.
Dimensions
Height: 92cm
Website keywords
storage
Label
Label text for 1745 Period Room (Room 3), Geffrye Museum, 2010:
Corner cupboard
The corner cupboard is decorated with ‘japanning’. This finish was achieved by applying layers of varnishes and glazes to the surface of the cupboard and was so-called because it imitated lacquer from Asia. The scenes picked out in gold leaf and bronze paint are not an accurate imitation of the pictures on Asian lacquer, but a fanciful European version of them. The cupboard was thought to be green japanning, but careful cleaning and pigment analysis revealed that it was blue, discoloured by a layer of varnish which had yellowed over time. Corner cupboards were often used for the storage of tea equipment in the parlour.
Blue japanning, with gold leaf and bronze paint, on a softwood carcase, 1720s–1740s
Label text for the exhibition At Home with the World, Geffrye Museum (20 March 2012- 9 September 2012):
Corner cupboard
This cupboard’s japanned decoration was built up layer by layer, imitating the East Asian lacquer fashionable in England in the early eighteenth century. Such cupboards were used to house tea equipment and there is a clear link between the fanciful Eastern figures painted on the doors, and the decoration of tea wares.
Corner cupboard
The corner cupboard is decorated with ‘japanning’. This finish was achieved by applying layers of varnishes and glazes to the surface of the cupboard and was so-called because it imitated lacquer from Asia. The scenes picked out in gold leaf and bronze paint are not an accurate imitation of the pictures on Asian lacquer, but a fanciful European version of them. The cupboard was thought to be green japanning, but careful cleaning and pigment analysis revealed that it was blue, discoloured by a layer of varnish which had yellowed over time. Corner cupboards were often used for the storage of tea equipment in the parlour.
Blue japanning, with gold leaf and bronze paint, on a softwood carcase, 1720s–1740s
Label text for the exhibition At Home with the World, Geffrye Museum (20 March 2012- 9 September 2012):
Corner cupboard
This cupboard’s japanned decoration was built up layer by layer, imitating the East Asian lacquer fashionable in England in the early eighteenth century. Such cupboards were used to house tea equipment and there is a clear link between the fanciful Eastern figures painted on the doors, and the decoration of tea wares.
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© Museum of the Home, London
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© Museum of the Home, London
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© Museum of the Home, London
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© Museum of the Home, London
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© Museum of the Home, London
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© Museum of the Home, London
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© Museum of the Home, London
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© Museum of the Home, London
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© Museum of the Home, London
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© Museum of the Home, London
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© Museum of the Home, London
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© Museum of the Home, London
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