FURNITURE AND OTHER OBJECTS OF ART
The furniture in this exhibition lent by the Secretary of State for India, the Worshipful Companies of Carpenters, Stationers and Clothworkers, and the Master of the Charterhouse, has been chosen as a fitting accompaniment to the drawings and paintings of Old London. They form a representative selection of such relics of London’s history as have survived the vicissitudes of Time. A certain individuality stamps the furniture. It was made for a definite reason, had a serious and official purpose to fulfil, and thus differs in some respects from the contemporary furniture of the home, in the making of which comfort, luxury, elegance and other domestic requirements had to be considered. As would be expected, therefore, the furniture from the India Office, from the City Halls and from the Charterhouse, is essentially severe in character, “masculine and unaffected,” and thoroughly sound both in design and workmanship.
The largest and most important collection is that from the Secretary of State for India. The India Office is fortunate in possessing a considerable number of fine pieces of English furniture of the eighteenth century. Most of these were transferred in the nineteenth century from the “Old India House” in Leadenhall Street at the time when the India Office absorbed the business of the East India Company. These historical events are discussed in full detail in “Records of the Honourable East India Company,” by Sir George Birdwood and William Foster.
A variety of interesting pieces have been lent by the Worshipful Companies of Carpenters, Stationers and Clothworkers. In the course of their history the City Companies have suffered many misfortunes. Of these the most disastrous was the Great Fire of 1666, which wrought havoc with their Halls and historic possessions. Most of the Halls were destroyed or suffered damage. Many were rebuilt under the influence of Sir Christopher Wren and his successors, but in most cases have been reconstructed in the nineteenth century. Fortunately, some of the panelling, carvings and furniture have been preserved and incorporated in the new buildings. The octagonal table in this exhibition, lent by the Carpenters’ Company, is one of the few existing pieces earlier in date than the Great Fire.
From the Charterhouse a few good pieces of English furniture have been obtained. First a Carthusian monastery, afterwards a nobleman’s palace, and lastly a Pensioners’ Hospital, the Charterhouse still shows records of the different phases of its romantic history. The splendid Elizabethan staircase and some of the panelling belong to the period when the Duke of Norfolk occupied the building as a residence. Other furniture and decoration commemorates the foundation of the hospital by Thomas Sutton, a wealthy trader and philanthropist; worthy of special mention is the small communion table in the chapel, bearing his arms and a mutilated date (16—), perhaps the most distinguished piece of furniture of its period which the country possesses. Unfortunately, it has not been possible to secure this table for the present exhibition.
Much of the furniture, here exhibited, was lent to the exhibition at Bethnal Green Museum organized by the Department of Science and Art in 1896.
O. B.
Near the Alcove
Arm-chair, walnut wood, carved with the head of Neptune and acanthus foliage, with front legs in the form of dolphins: upholstered in red velvet, embroidered on the back in coloured silks and silver thread with the arms of the East India Company, 1698 (ar. a cross gu. in the dexter chief quarter an escutcheon of the arms of France and England, quarterly, the shield ornamented and regally crowned or. Crest: a lion ramp. guard. or, supporting between the fore paws a regal crown ppr. Supporters: two lions ramp. guard. or, each supporting a banner erect ar. charged with a cross gu. Motto: auspicio regis et senatus angliæ).
In the “Old India House” this chair was the seat of the Chairman when presiding over the Court of Directors; it is shown in T. H. Shepherd’s drawing in this exhibition, [No. 66]. At the India Office it has been used by each successive Secretary of State for India in Council.
Height, 4 ft. 11½ in.
Middle of the XVIIIth century.
Lent by the Secretary of State for India.
On either side of the Alcove
Clock, with circular dial, inscribed Aynsth Thwaites London, in case of gilt brass, supported on pedestal of mahogany and other woods, carved on the frieze with a demi-figure and scrolled foliage.
Instrument (companion to above) showing sidereal time, the day of the week, month of the year, phases of the moon, direction of the wind and the weather: inscribed Aynsth Thwaites Clerkenwell London.
The clock was brought from the “Old India House” in Leadenhall Street. At the time the companion piece was lost sight of, but years afterwards was found on the continent by Mr. Bertram Currie, who purchased it and gave it back to the India Office (see “Records of the Honourable East India Company”).
Height (of each), 6 ft. 11½ in.
Date, 1760-1770. Lent by the Secretary of State for India.
Near the Alcove
Arm-chair, walnut wood, the arms carved with masks and foliage, the legs ending in paw feet and carved with negro masks and leafage: upholstered in red velvet embroidered on the back with the crest of the East India Company; it is shown in [No. 66].
Height, 4 ft. 9½ in.
First half of the XVIIIth century. Lent by the Secretary of State for India.
Against the East Wall
Pair of Chairs, mahogany, with “ladder” backs, and seats covered with red leather.
Height (of each), 3 ft. ½ in.
Third quarter of the XVIIIth century. Lent by the Secretary of State for India.
Against the West Wall
Arm-chair, mahogany, with shield-shaped back and seat covered with red leather.
Style of Hepplewhite.
Height, 3 ft. 3½ in.
Last quarter of the XVIIIth century. Lent by the Secretary of State for India.
Arm-chair, mahogany, the upper rail of the back carved with the crest of the East India Company within a circular medallion.
Height, 2 ft. 8½ in.
Early XIXth century. Lent by the Secretary of State for India.
Arm-chair, mahogany, the upper rail of the back surmounted by a lunette carved with the crest of the East India Company.
Height, 3 ft. 1⅜ in.
Early XIXth century. Lent by the Secretary of State for India.
Arm-chair, mahogany, with square back having three vertical rails, and seat covered with red leather.
Height, 3 ft.
Last quarter of the XVIIIth century. Lent by the Secretary of State for India.
In the Centre of the Gallery
Table, oak, composed of octagonal top supported on eight baluster legs joined by arches below the top; the spandrels are carved with the initials R. W. (Richard Wyatt, Master); G. I. (G. Isack, Warden); I. R. (J. Reeve, Warden); and W. W. (W. Willson, Warden), and the date 1606.
Height, 2 ft. 10 in. Width of top, 3 ft. 4¼ in.
Dated 1606. Lent by the Worshipful Company of Carpenters.
On the South Wall
Sword Rest, oak, carved, painted and gilt with the Royal Arms, the Arms of the City of London, of Sir Francis Chaplin, Bart. (Master, 1668; Lord Mayor of London, 1677), and of the Clothworkers’ Company.
Height, 6 ft. 4½ in.
Dated 1677 (the painting and gilding renewed). Lent by the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers.
In the Alcove
Arm-chair, mahogany, with solid vase-shaped splat and seat covered with leather.
Height, 3 ft. 5½ in.
First half of the XVIIIth century. Lent by the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers.
Near the South Wall
Table, oak, with plain column legs.
Length, 6 ft. 8½ in.
In the style of the XVIIth century. Lent by the Worshipful Company of Stationers.
Against the East Wall
Arm-chair and Chair, mahogany, with pierced splats, and seats covered with horsehair.
Height (arm-chair), 3 ft. 8½ in.
Height (chair), 3 ft. 2½ in.
Middle of the XVIIIth century. Lent by the Worshipful Company of Stationers.
Card-Table, rosewood, with hinged top inlaid with floral designs in mother-of-pearl.
Height, 2 ft.; top, 2 ft. 8¼ in.
Early XVIIIth century (with Chinese inlay). Lent by the Worshipful Company of Stationers.
Arm-chair and Two Chairs, mahogany, each with pierced splat and leaf carving; seats covered with horsehair.
Height (arm-chair), 3 ft. 2 in.
Height (chair), 3 ft. 1 in.
Third quarter of the XVIIIth century. Lent by the Master of the Charterhouse.
Near the Octagonal Table
Pair of Stools, of oak.
Height, 1 ft. 8 in., and 1 ft. 10½ in.
XVIth century. Lent by the Master of the Charterhouse.
Near the South Wall
Desk, mahogany, with hinged slope for writing and drawing in upper part, the stand fitted with a drawer supported on two central legs.
Height, 4 ft. Width, 3 ft.
End of the XVIIIth century. Lent by the Master of the Charterhouse.
On the Long Table
Vase, “crater” shaped, with two handles. On each side are painted the arms of the East India Company, with a rose spray below: the ground is pink, and all mouldings are heavily gilt. Mark impressed on the base, F B B under a crown (Flight, Barr and Barr, Worcester, 1813-40).
English, XIXth century. Lent by Mr. Herbert Allen.
Two “Nanking” Dishes. Oval blue-and-white dishes, forming part of a dinner service, each piece of which bears the crest of the Merchant Taylors’ Company, viz.: a lamb, bearing on its shoulder a banner, charged with a cross.
Chinese, XVIIIth century. Lent by the Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors.
On the Desk
The Master’s Bell of the Haberdashers’ Company. White metal table-bell, with decorations of an armorial character between two bands of inscriptions: “lof god van al” and “me fecit johannes a fine aO 1549.” Johannes A Fine of Malines is well known as a maker of clochettes, of which some forty are recorded as bearing his name.
Flemish, XVIth century. Lent by the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers.
On the Mantelpiece
Pair of Brass Candlesticks, shaped like Corinthian columns.
English, early XIXth century. Lent by the Secretary of State for India.
Timepiece in mahogany, lancet-shaped case, the dial inscribed: “thwaites and reed.”
About 1820. Lent by the Secretary of State for India.
On the Octagonal Table
Pewter Inkstand. The steep-pitched lid is inscribed “The guifte of Mr. Martin Bonnde,” while the flat top bears the arms of the donor and the date 1619. The inkstand is stamped T L in a beaded circle, and with two fleur-de-lys.
Mr. Martin Bond was a member of the well-known family which owned Crosby Place; he was a Captain of Trained Bands, and was Treasurer of the House of the Poor, commonly known as St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, from 1620 to 1642.
English, XVIIth century. Lent by the Treasurer and Almoners of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital.
LONDON: PRINTED AT THE CHISWICK PRESS
TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE.
1. OLD LONDON BRIDGE
G. YATES, 1826
Plate I
3. BOLINGBROKE HOUSE, BATTERSEA
ARTIST UNKNOWN, c. 1800
Plate II
4. OLD WESTMINSTER BRIDGE
CANALETTO, c. 1747 (1677-1768)
Plate III
6. VIEW DOWN RIVER FROM WESTMINSTER
W. HOLLAR (1607-1677)
Plate IV
8. WESTMINSTER BRIDGE AND ABBEY
CANALETTO, c. 1747 (1677-1768)
Plate V
9. WESTMINSTER ABBEY, SOUTH VIEW FROM RIVER
W. HOLLAR (1607-1677)
Plate VI
11. VIEW UP RIVER TO WESTMINSTER
CANALETTO, c. 1747 (1697-1768)
Plate VII
12. OLD WESTMINSTER BRIDGE
CANALETTO, c. 1748 (1697-1768)
Plate VIII
14. PIAZZA, COVENT GARDEN
T. SANDBY, R.A. (1721-1798)
Plate IX
16. OLD SOMERSET HOUSE AND GARDEN
T. SANDBY, R. A. (1721-1798)
Plate X
19. OLD LONDON BRIDGE FROM BILLINGSGATE
G. YATES, 1828
Plate XI
23. CAMP NEAR SERPENTINE, HYDE PARK, 1780
PAUL SANDBY, R. A., 1780 (1725-1809)
Plate XII
31. INTERIOR OF SECOND ROYAL EXCHANGE
ARTIST UNKNOWN, c. 1810
Plate XIII
33. CHURCH OF ST. PETER LE POOR, OLD BROAD STREET
ARTIST UNKNOWN
Plate XIV
34. VIEW FROM THE CHURCHYARD OF ST. MARTIN’S-IN-THE-FIELDS
W. HUNT (1790-1864)
Plate XV
35. ENCAMPMENT IN THE GROUNDS OF MONTAGUE HOUSE
S. H. GRIMM, 1780 (1734-1794)
Plate XVI
37. CHANTREY CHAPEL OF HENRY V, WESTMINSTER ABBEY
JOHN CARTER, 1786 (1748-1817)
Plate XVII
38. ABBOT ISLIP’S CHAPEL, WESTMINSTER ABBEY
J. M. W. TURNER, R.A., 1796 (1775-1851)
Plate XVIII
41. HALL OF BROTHERHOOD OF HOLY TRINITY, ALDERSGATE
W. CAPON, 1790 (1757-1827)
Plate XIX
45. SITE OF EUSTON SQUARE, 1809
T. ROWLANDSON, 1809 (1756-1827)
Plate XX
47. THE OLD CHEESE-CAKE HOUSE, HYDE PARK.
1797
Plate XXI
49. FISHMONGERS’ HALL FROM THE RIVER
c. 1810
Plate XXII
59. ST. DUNSTAN’S-IN-THE-WEST, FLEET STREET
T. MALTON THE ELDER (1726-1801)
Plate XXIII
61. WESTMINSTER ABBEY FROM DEAN’S YARD
T. MALTON THE ELDER (1726-1801)
Plate XXIV
63. WAPPING
THOMAS GIRTIN (1773-1802)
Plate XXV
64. EAST INDIA HOUSE FROM THE WEST
T. MALTON THE YOUNGER (1748-1804)
Plate XXVI
67. SADLER’S WELLS
R. C. ANDREWS
Plate XXVII
68. GREEN PARK, 1760
W. HOGARTH, 1760 (1697-1764)
Plate XXVIII
71. ST. GEORGE’S HOSPITAL
R. WILSON, R. A., 1746 (1714-1782)
Plate XXIX
72. THE CHARTERHOUSE
THOMAS GAINSBOROUGH, R. A., 1746 (1727-1788)
Plate XXX
73. ALDGATE PARISH SCHOOL AND WATCH-HOUSE AND TOWER OF CHURCH
R. R. SCHNEBBELIE (DIED ABOUT 1849)
Plate XXXI
77. EAST INDIA HOUSE FROM THE EAST
T. MALTON THE YOUNGER (1748-1804)
Plate XXXII
78. A WATER PAGEANT ON THE THAMES
SCHOOL OF SAMUEL SCOTT
Plate XXXIII
81. WESTMINSTER BRIDGE AND WESTMINSTER ABBEY FROM THE RIVER
SAMUEL SCOTT (ABOUT 1710-1772)
Plate XXXIV
82. SIR RICHARD STEELE’S COTTAGE, HAMPSTEAD
J. CONSTABLE, R.A., 1832 (1776-1837)
Plate XXXV
87. PARADE AND WHITEHALL FROM ST. JAMES’S PARK
S. SCOTT (c. 1710-1772)
Plate XXXVI
88. WHITEHALL FROM THE NORTH
S. SCOTT (c. 1710-1772)
Plate XXXVII
91. WESTMINSTER FROM BELOW YORK WATER-GATE
THOMAS WIJCK (ABOUT 1616-1677)
Plate XXXVIII
92. WESTMINSTER FROM LAMBETH
S. SCOTT (?) (c. 1710-1772)
Plate XXXIX
93. THE OLD STOCKS’ MARKET
JOSEF VAN AKEN (1709-1749)
Plate XL
94. RIVER VIEW FROM GARDEN OF OLD SOMERSET HOUSE
SAMUEL SCOTT (ABOUT 1710-1772)
Plate XLI
95. OLD WESTMINSTER BRIDGE
S. SCOTT (c. 1710-1772)
Plate XLII
96. WHITEHALL FROM ST. JAMES’S PARK
H. DANCKERTS (c. 1630-1678)
Plate XLIII
100b. ELY PLACE, HOLBORN
J. CARTER, 1776 (1748-1817)
Plate XLIV
104. RANELAGH
HAS BEEN ASCRIBED TO HOGARTH; PERHAPS BY F. HAYMAN (1708-1776)
Plate XLV
107. OLD LONDON BRIDGE AND NEW LONDON BRIDGE FROM SOUTHWARK
G. B. MOORE, 1830 (1806-1875)
Plate XLVI
111. ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL FROM ST. MARTIN’S-LE-GRAND
THOMAS GIRTIN (1773-1802)
Plate XLVII
112. OLD WESTMINSTER
D. COX (1783-1859)
Plate XLVIII