Explore Collections

You are here:
CollectionsOnline
/
Upright drawer with single knob, English, unknown maker, 1812
Browse
One of a pair including XF155 and XF156, upright drawer, English, unknown maker, 1812, mahogany with brass knob. ©Sir John Soane's Museum, London. Photograph: Hugh Kelly.
Upright drawer with single knob, English, unknown maker, 1812
Mahogany with brass knob
Height: 14.5cm
Width: 5.5cm
Depth: 25cm
Width: 5.5cm
Depth: 25cm
Museum number: XF155
On display: Breakfast Room
All spaces are in No. 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields unless identified as in No. 12, Soane's first house.
For tours https://www.soane.org/your-visit
Curatorial note
With narrow vertical pull-out drawer with one-side scoop-shaped. One of a pair with XF156 and of a set with XF153 and XF154.
These four loose drawers were presumably used by Soane to store pens, drawing instruments and stationery. They are not shown in the watercolour by J M Gandy of 1825 (Vol. 82, 26) or plate XXIX from the 1835 Description and were therefore presumably made c. 1835-37. The vertical drawers are described in the Furniture and Fittings Inventory as ‘A small mahogany case fixed to each of the two jambs of window’, which implies that they may have been fixed down somehow in Soane’s lifetime although there is no sign of any fixings. The drawers are less finished on the sides which are next to the walls, with the dovetails visible, implying that they were made specially for these positions. The brass knobs on these four drawers are identical to those on the built-in drawer at the bottom of the recess on the south wall in which the Vulliamy clock (XF146) is displayed.
These four loose drawers were presumably used by Soane to store pens, drawing instruments and stationery. They are not shown in the watercolour by J M Gandy of 1825 (Vol. 82, 26) or plate XXIX from the 1835 Description and were therefore presumably made c. 1835-37. The vertical drawers are described in the Furniture and Fittings Inventory as ‘A small mahogany case fixed to each of the two jambs of window’, which implies that they may have been fixed down somehow in Soane’s lifetime although there is no sign of any fixings. The drawers are less finished on the sides which are next to the walls, with the dovetails visible, implying that they were made specially for these positions. The brass knobs on these four drawers are identical to those on the built-in drawer at the bottom of the recess on the south wall in which the Vulliamy clock (XF146) is displayed.
Soane collections online is being continually updated. If you wish to find out more or if you have any further information about this object please contact us: worksofart@soane.org.uk