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A shagreen case for architectural drawing instruments, with the initials ‘JS’ [John Soane]
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SM X296. ©Sir John Soane's Museum, London. Photo: Justin Piperger
A shagreen case for architectural drawing instruments, with the initials ‘JS’ [John Soane]
Shagreen with silver mounts
Museum number: X296
On display: Drawing Office - also known as the Students Room (pre-booked tours only)
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
Unfortunately we do not know which drawing instruments Soane might have kept in this fine small case - perhaps pens and dividers.
The case is covered with 'shagreen', a term applied from the 17th century onwards to leather made from sharkskin or the skin of a rayfish. Such skins are naturally covered with circular papillae called placoid scales and to make 'shagreen' are dyed with green vegetable dye (the colour is applied on the reverse and shows through between the 'scales'). It became popular across Europe during the 18th century being regarded as waterproof and robust as well as suitably masculine for articles intended for male use.
The image shows this case with items SM X286, X287 and X1213.
The case is covered with 'shagreen', a term applied from the 17th century onwards to leather made from sharkskin or the skin of a rayfish. Such skins are naturally covered with circular papillae called placoid scales and to make 'shagreen' are dyed with green vegetable dye (the colour is applied on the reverse and shows through between the 'scales'). It became popular across Europe during the 18th century being regarded as waterproof and robust as well as suitably masculine for articles intended for male use.
The image shows this case with items SM X286, X287 and X1213.
Exhibition history
The Soanes at Home: A Day in the Life of Regency London, Sir John Soane's Museum, London, 24 October 1997 - 29 February 1998
John Soane Architect: Master of Space and Light, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 11 September - 3 December 1999; Centro Palladio, Vicenza, April - August 2000; Hôtel de Rohan, Paris, January - April 2001; Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montreal, 16 May - 3 September 2001; Real Academia des Bellas Artes, Madrid, October - December 2001
Hooked on Books: The Library of Sir John Soane Architect 1753-1837, Weston Gallery, University Park, Nottingham, 30 April - 30 August 2004
John Soane: Reading's Architectural Hero, Reading Museum, 5 May - 2 September 2007
John Soane Architect: Master of Space and Light, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 11 September - 3 December 1999; Centro Palladio, Vicenza, April - August 2000; Hôtel de Rohan, Paris, January - April 2001; Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montreal, 16 May - 3 September 2001; Real Academia des Bellas Artes, Madrid, October - December 2001
Hooked on Books: The Library of Sir John Soane Architect 1753-1837, Weston Gallery, University Park, Nottingham, 30 April - 30 August 2004
John Soane: Reading's Architectural Hero, Reading Museum, 5 May - 2 September 2007
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