Pics from the Victoria & Albert Museum

I went on a business trip to London two weeks ago.  I spent a few hours at the V&A on my first day in the city and I ended up taking some pictures of their Victorian furniture.  In hindsight I wish that I had taken more pictures (they had a settee from the 1600s with original upholstery, for example).  Oh well...I was shy about using the camera right up until I saw the Kimbel & Cabus cabinet.

I have "bigger" photos for anybody who would like more detail.  The pics below are relatively small in size.

- Jason

...more pics...

...more pics...

...just a few more...

The conference that I attended was in a building either adjacent-to or one-&-the-same as the place with the Tennyson plaque. 

Also while in London I got to meet a great-great-granddaughter of the first owners of our house (Charles & Jennie Fairchild).  Her great-grandfather (C. Willard Fairchild - artist, 1886-1946)  spent the first 10 or so years of his life in our house.  Continuing with that blood line, her grandmother (Margaret "Peggy" Bigelow Fairchild) had one daughter (1952, I think), got divorced (husband was James McIntyre Davis - still looking for him), and died 12 days after the divorce (1956).  The ex-husband didn't want the little girl (Willard's only grandchild), so she was adopted by distant cousins...moved to England in 1959 on the Queen Mary at age of 7.  Emma (pictured below - just turned 30) is that little girl's daughter. 

Quote from: 1881victorian
I went on a business trip to London two weeks ago.  I spent a few hours at the V&A on my first day in the city and I ended up taking some pictures of their Victorian furniture.  In hindsight I wish that I had taken more pictures (they had a settee from the 1600s with original upholstery, for example).  Oh well...I was shy about using the camera right up until I saw the Kimbel & Cabus cabinet.

I have "bigger" photos for anybody who would like more detail.  The pics below are relatively small in size.

- Jason

Jason,

When I saw the subject line on your post, I thought it must be about the V&A's new searchable collections database... more fool me! If the settee you are interested in is this one, there are some pretty good pictures of it.

thanks for sharing your photos-
Cheryl

Cheryl:

Yep...that's the one.  Thank you!  Shame on me for not knowing that the V&A has a searchable collections database.  Oh well!

- Jason

Quote from: 1881victorian
Cheryl:

Yep...that's the one.  Thank you!  Shame on me for not knowing that the V&A has a searchable collections database.  Oh well!

- Jason

No shame at all, Jason. It's only been online for about a month.  :)

pax-
Cheryl

WOW, a 1690 william & mary settee with original upholstery, very impressive.

A bit off thread but last month marhamchurch antiques did a show titled, "The Search For Thomas Dennis" followed by a sale afterwards. Dennis, one of the better known joiners from Devon, immigrated to Ipswich Mass in the 17th century. Really fabulous stuff in this show/sale.

http://www.marhamchurchantiques.com/exhibition

I didn't see the Belter sofa on the searchable database.  Perhaps I have just missed it somehow.  I will be at the V & A a week from this Saturday and I would be happy to take some pictures of that incredible sofa and post them if it serves anyone's interest.

Gordie

Quote from: [email removed]
I didn't see the Belter sofa on the searchable database.  Perhaps I have just missed it somehow.  I will be at the V & A a week from this Saturday and I would be happy to take some pictures of that incredible sofa and post them if it serves anyone's interest.

Gordie

http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O59258/sofa/

Awesome!  Thanks!  It is always a thrill to see this piece.  I wonder what they would do to me if I sat on it!!!  How much could bail be?  Ha!

Just remember that the exchange rate and cost of living are not particularly favorable when calculating your bail.  A can of Coke (made with real sugar) costs £1.50 at the museum...I did not find one cheaper than this elsewhere during my short visit to London, but I didn't have much opportunity to shop around either.  I'd suggest getting a can so as to have something to sip while sitting on the Belter. 

You might be on to a money-making idea..."Ride the Belter -- £10 per minute". 

- Jason

Perhaps they'll take a credit card?  I like the "ride the Belter" thought.  I have some closeup photos of that piece from an earlier trip to the V & A.  I am always amazed at the depth of carving that piece presents.  Hmmm...maybe I'll have a soda and a pasty whilst sitting on the sofa...looking at the carved flowers and listening to the alarm ringing in the background.  I wonder if there will ever be another comparable Belter sofa discovered?