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Built-in mahogany drawer serving as a pedestal for a work of art
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Built-in mahogany drawer serving as a pedestal for a work of art
Mahogany drawer within a mahogany case with two polished turned mahogany knobs.
Museum number: XF485
On display: South Drawing 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
This drawer is one of a pair built-into recesses in the South Drawing Room loggia and serving as pedestals for two full-size casts of Roman candelabra. They were made in 1834 when the loggia was enclosed (it was formerly an external balcony). This drawer is an elegant solution to the challenge of providing a very substantial support to a heavy object and have the practical advantage of providing storage space as well.
In the Inventory of Fixtures and Fittings dated March 1837 they are described as follows: '1 Case and Mahogany Drawer fixed under each of the two Recesses in Piers between Apertures of Loggia'. Beneath the drawer is a pair of small decorative brackets, which serve to enhance and emphasize its function as a shelf.
In 2020, during the Covid-19 lockdown period, cabinet-maker Peter Holmes repaired the drawers and revived their polished mahogany surfaces.
In the Inventory of Fixtures and Fittings dated March 1837 they are described as follows: '1 Case and Mahogany Drawer fixed under each of the two Recesses in Piers between Apertures of Loggia'. Beneath the drawer is a pair of small decorative brackets, which serve to enhance and emphasize its function as a shelf.
In 2020, during the Covid-19 lockdown period, cabinet-maker Peter Holmes repaired the drawers and revived their polished mahogany surfaces.
Associated items
XF486, another identical
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