{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O18964"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O18964/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006BD7129/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006BD7129/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006BD7129","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O18964/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O18964","accessionNumber":"W.15:1 to 4-1972","objectType":"Cabinet","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"A design for a very similar cabinet survives in one of Godwin's sketchbooks, now in the the Print Room at the V&A Museum (E.233-1963). This indicates that the cabinet, as outlined in the sketchbook, was probably intended for the Paris International Exhibition of 1878. However, there is no proof that the cabinet, as made, with slight modifications to the top, was actually shown.  \r\n\r\nThe design shows a number of influences. Anglo-Japanese motifs have been employed, for instance, in the bell-shaped, seemingly Gothic, lattice openings on the lower doors. These were copied from volume five of the Hokusai <i>Manga</i> (1816) which Godwin owned. The upper balustrade of the cabinet in turn is reminiscent of Japanese exterior architecture. In spite of this, however, the cabinet's overall form and lightness, the reeded mouldings and the use of satinwood, are closely related to late 18th-century English cabinet designs by Thomas Sheraton.","physicalDescription":"Cabinet, mahogany carcase veneered in satinwood (or bird's-eye maple), with brass mounts and epoxy resin handles (replacement of originals), the upper doors decorated with four painted and gilt panels representing the Seasons.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Godwin, Edward William","id":"A8438"},"association":{"text":"maker","id":"AAT251917"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"satinwood","id":"AAT12451"},{"text":"mahogany","id":"AAT12221"},{"text":"brass","id":"AAT10946"},{"text":"epoxy resin","id":"AAT14533"}],"techniques":[{"text":"painting (image-making)","id":"AAT54216"},{"text":"gilding","id":"AAT53789"},{"text":"joining","id":"AAT137062"},{"text":"cabinet-making","id":"AAT53607"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Carcase of mahogany, with satinwood (or bird's-eye maple) veneer, brass mounts and epoxy resin handles (replacement of originals); upper doors decorated with four painted and gilt panels","categories":[{"text":"Furniture","id":"THES48948"}],"styles":[{"text":"Aesthetic Movement","id":"AAT18124"}],"collectionCode":{"text":"FWK","id":"THES48597"},"images":["2006BD7129"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"002","id":"THES342727"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"002","id":"THES342727"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"002","id":"THES342727"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"019","id":"THES302822"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Cabinet","id":""}],[{"text":"drawer","id":""}],[{"text":"shelf","id":""}],[{"text":"keys","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"England","id":"x28826"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"late 19th century","earliest":"1850-01-01","latest":"1900-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by members of the Handley-Read family in memory of Charles and Lavinia Handley-Read","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"179.7","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"128.3","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"41.3","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"Possibly designed for the White House in Tite Street which Godwin designed for his friend Whistler. The cabinet was later acquired by Charles and Lavinia Handley-Read and was photographed in their house at 82 Ladbroke Road, London (Photograph in the Higgins Museum, Bedford).\n\nGodwin's design for a cabinet which relates to many elements of the 'Four Seasons' cabinet was published in <i>The Building News</i>, 10 May 1886. A cabinet made to this 1886 design, constructed of mahogany with brass and ivory, was sold by Leski Auctions, Armadale, Victoria, 28 October 2018, lot 198.","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Cabinet, satinwood with brass mounts, ivory handles and painted panels of the Four Seasons; designed by E.W. Godwin and made by William Watt, British about 1877","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"‘Charles and Lavinia Handley-Read at Home’ by Charlotte Gere, in  ‘The Charles and Lavinia Handley-Read Collection’,  Decorative Arts Society Journal no. 40 (2016), pp. 11-26, the cabinet illustrated on p. 15. with a photo of it in the Handley-Read's London house on p. 14."},{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Charles Handley-Read as a Friend and Mentor, by Stuart Durant, in ‘The Charles and Lavinia Handley-Read Collection’,  Decorative Arts Society Journal no. 40 2016. p.20 plate 3.\r\n"}],"production":"Attribution note: The painitings on the doors are decorated, from left to right, depict Spring - a woman with vase; Summer - a man with sickle; Autumn - a man digging; Winter - an old man taking off his shoes by the fire.","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[{"text":"seasons","id":"AAT133091"}],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"Designed by E.w. Godwin (1833-1886)\r\nMade by William Watt, London\r\nSatinwood with brass mounts and painted decoration\r\nGiven by their family in memory of Charles and Lavinia Handley-Read.\r\nDesigns for this cabinet survive in the Prints, Drawings and Paintings Collection of the museum which indicate that this piece may have been intended for the Paris Exhibition of 1878. However, there is no proof that it was actually shown. It has also been suggested that this cabinet formed part of the furnishings of the White House in Tite Street, London which Godwin designed for Whistler in 1877.","date":{"text":"1993","earliest":"1993-01-01","latest":"1993-12-31"}}],"partNumbers":["W.15:1-1972","W.15:2-1972","W.15:3-1972","W.15:4-1972"],"accessionNumberNum":"15","accessionNumberPrefix":"W","accessionYear":1972,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE","keys","shelf","drawer","Cabinet"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-12-08","recordCreationDate":"2000-01-05","availableToBook":true}}