Research Catalog

Details

Additional authors

1. Murdoch, T. V. (Tessa Violet)
2. Leeds (England). City Art Gallery.
3. Victoria and Albert Museum.

Description

1. viii, 164 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some color), map; 28 cm

Summary

1. "Amongst the most ostentatiously splendid masterpieces of English furniture are a group embellished with engraved brass inlay and rich ormolu mounts. Dating from about 1730-60, made of exotic timbers and many displaying highly flamboyant Rococo personalities, they have traditionally been attributed to the workshops of John Channon, one of Chippendale's neighbours and rivals in St Martin's Lane. However, new research indicates that there were at least five London cabinet makers specializing in brass-inlaid furniture at the time, and six leading furniture historians have combined forces with Christopher Gilbert and Tessa Murdoch to reinvestigate the whole question of authorship, and to look again at the origins of the phenomenon of brass-inlaid furniture." "The contributors to this handsomely illustrated volume have discovered fresh information about the Channon family, and place English brass-inlaid furniture firmly within the context of French and German traditions. They trace continental design sources for decorative elements, illuminate the structure of the London cabinet-making trade, and identify and attribute different workshop groups to various previously shadowy firms, several of whom have German links." "For the first time all recorded and traceable examples of English brass-inlaid furniture dating from the reign of George Il are discussed and illustrated with many examples in colour. Publication will coincide with an exhibition of brass-inlaid furniture by Channon and his circle at Temple Newsam House in Leeds, opening on 20 October 1993 and moving to the Victoria and Albert Museum on 16 February 1994, for which this book serves as the catalogue."--BOOK JACKET.

Subject

1. Channon, John, 1711-1779 > Criticism and interpretation
2. Channon, John, 1711-1779
3. Brass inlaid furniture > London > History > 18th century
4. Furniture, Rococo > London
5. History
6. England

Contents

1. 1. Introduction -- 2. The Channon family of London and Exeter -- 3. Channon's rivals and the London market for brass-inlaid furniture -- 4. The continental context: Germany / Helena Hayward and Sarah Medlam -- 5. The continental context: France / Carolyn Sargentson -- 6. Furniture manufacture and workshop organisation / Josephine Darrah, Sarah Medlam, Anthony North and Kevin Rogers -- Trade practices -- Woods -- Other materials -- Joints and construction -- Inlaid brass and brass mounts -- 7. Furniture survey -- Bureau-cabinets -- Tables and desks -- The 'nymph and satyr' group -- Cabinets on stands -- The Powderham bookcases -- Pillar and claw tables -- Tea-chests and dressing-boxes -- Chairs -- Miscellaneous furniture -- 8. Workshop groups -- App. 1 The wills of John and Martha Channon -- App. 2 Accounts, letters and inventories -- App. 3 John Channon's fire-insurance policy -- App. 4 The inlaid room at Mawley Hall.

Bibliography (note)

1. Includes bibliographical references (p. [152] and index.