The Chatsworth Nagasaki Table from The Great Exhibition 1851

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The Chatsworth Nagasaki Table from The Great Exhibition 1851

About the Item

The lobed hexagonal black lacquer top of this extraordinary centre table is profusely decorated in blue and bright pink aogai (mother-of-pearl) with three scenes showing abundantly flowering trees and birds in landscapes. The base comprises the painted silk crepe trunk of a tree supported by three furry monkeys wearing brocade coats and harnesses. Japanese, circa 1850. Literature: Photographed in The Oak Room in the late 19th Century, The Duchess of Devonshire, The House - A portrait of Chatsworth, London 1982, p.165 and The Duchess of Devonshire, Chatsworth - The House, London 2002, p108 where it is described as 'An octagonal table supported by three mangy stuffed monkeys was bought from the Great Exhibition of 1851. Its top glints with mother of pearl' [in The Oak Room] (op. cit. p. 109). The top of this unique table is of nagasaki aogai lacquer which has applied pigments overlaid with thin layers of mother-of-pearl, to brilliant effect. In 1851 London’s Great Exhibition attracted over six million visitors to view 14,000 exhibits from all parts of the globe. It was the vision of Prince Albert and Henry Cole (the first Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum). The architect of the ‘Crystal Palace’ was Joseph Paxton the 6th Duke's gardener. Paxton was knighted for this extraordinary piece of design and the Duke took great sat isfaction in his protégé’s achievement. He not only attended the formal opening in May 1851 but took every opportunity to visit the building as it was being erected and its displays arranged. As James Lees-Milne writes: The Duke took one by one Harriet (his niece The Duchess of Sutherland), his brother, Black Rod (Sir Augustus Clifford), his sister Lamb (Caroline St. Jules, the hon. Mrs George Lamb), Caroline Norton, The (Marquis and Marchioness of ) Normandy (s), Lady Newburgh, (Lord) Erskine, and anyone he could enlist to share his delight and enthusiasm. (Sotheby’s, Chatsworth, The Attic Sale, London, 2010). Provenance: William Spencer Cavendish, 6th Duke of Devonshire (1790-1858), by repute, purchased at the Great Exhibition, 1851.

Dimensions:
Height: 28.35 in (72 cm)Width: 47.64 in (121 cm)
Place of Origin:
Japan
Period:
19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
c. 1850
Condition:
Seller Location:
Lymington, GB
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU97301055034