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1 of 253523 objects
Display cabinet 1814-56
rosewood mounted with gilt bronze, with glass panel and Portor marble top | 128.0 x 157.0 x 47.0 cm (whole object) | RCIN 68900
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Four cabinets, each with a glass front, Portor marble top, the front corners with a free-standing gilt bronze column cast and chased with palms, acanthus and lotus foliage, with inner reeded gilt bronze frame, the interior with two shelves and lined in blue fabric, on a plinth base The cabinets are part of a set of twelve [RCIN 68900-68905], comprised as follows: four flat-fronted cabinets; two three-part breakfronted cabinets; one flat-fronted cabinet 118 cm. wide; one flat-fronted cabinet 125 cm. wide; two narrow cabinets integrated with a chimneypiece; two narrow cabinets integrated with the jib door Originally supplied for the Corinthian or Gilt Column Room at Carlton House, a room which bore several names throughout the occupation of the Prince of Wales, later George IV. These cabinets were intended to hold the overflow of books from the Prince's Library in the adjacent room. The library, as a room to contain or display books, was to migrate around Carlton House and did not remain on the basement floor, next to the Gilt Column Room. By 1814, the room was furnished in a rich rosewood and gilt bronze scheme, represented by this group of bookcases, nine of which were supplied by Tatham, Bailey and Sanders in 1814. They appear in the interior illustrations of Carlton House published by Pyne in 1819. After the dismantling of Carlton House in 1826-7, seven from the set were dispatched to Morel and Seddon for alteration, refurbishment and adaptation, before their installation in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor, planned by the King to serve as his Library. At that point five further bookcases were made to match, some incorporating old parts from the original Carlton House set, in two sizes, bringing the total number to twelve. The cabinets are scribed to the panelling in the Green Drawing Room. In 1856 the glass panels were added, probably by J. A. Hatfield who carried out mount repairs at this date, completing their transformation from bookcases into display-cabinets. They are used today to display the Louis XVI Service, made at the Sevres Porcelain Manufactory (see also H. Roberts, 'For the King's Pleasure', London, 2001, pp. 98-108, figs. 117-119).
Provenance
Made for the Prince Regent, later George IV, by Tatham, Bailey and Sanders for Carlton House in 1814. Moved to Windsor Castle in 1828 having been adapted, enlarged and the set added to as part of the group of furniture and furnishings supplied between 1827 and 1829 to King George IV by the partnership of Morel and Seddon for the Library (now the Green Drawing Room) at Windsor Castle. Nicholas Morel had formerly worked for The Prince of Wales, later George IV, at Carlton House and the Royal Pavilion at Brighton. Subsequently, he was commissioned to design and furnish the newly built apartments designed by Sir Jeffry Wyattville (1766-1840) for the King at Windsor Castle. In order to fulfil the contract he entered into partnership with George Seddon III whose family had large and long established furniture workshops in Aldersgate Street in the City of London. Converted to display cases in 1856.
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Creator(s)
(cabinet maker)(restorer)(glass maker)(repairer)(nationality)Acquirer(s)
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Medium and techniques
rosewood mounted with gilt bronze, with glass panel and Portor marble top
Measurements
128.0 x 157.0 x 47.0 cm (whole object)