Object Description
A Late Victorian Polychrome-Decorated Satinwood Crib. After a Design by Thomas Sheraton.
Made from precious satinwood decorated with polychrome painted flowers and husk trails. The front and back with ‘vernis Martin’ scenes of cherubs. The hood removable and adjustable. The fluted uprights with brass rods supporting the rocking movement. On splayed legs joined by a turned stretcher. The feet modelled as gilt-brass lion paws on brass caster.
A related design dates to circa 1791 as published in ‘The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer’s Drawing Book’, by Thomas Sheraton. Described as a swinging crib-bed, it had an ingenious clockwork mechanism which kept it swinging for forty-five minutes at one winding.
The fame of Thomas Sheraton (1751–1806) as a cabinetmaker and furniture designer ranks next to that of Thomas Chippendale. ‘Sheraton Style’ furniture was very fashionable in the late Victorian and Edwardian period when it was revived by makers such as Holland & Sons.
England, Circa 1890.