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Sideboard, also known as the Pericles Dressoir

Designer Bruce J. Talbert British, Scottish
Manufacturer Holland & Sons British
1866
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 516
An ambitious example of British craftsmanship, this so-called Pericles dressoir or sideboard was specifically designed by Talbert as the centerpiece for the stand of Holland & Sons at the Paris International Exhibition of 1867. Talbert, known for his work in the reformed Gothic style, included a scene from Shakespeare’s Pericles, Prince of Tyre in the central gable as well as several quotations from this and two other Shakespeare plays, allusions to dining and the grace before a meal. Both the references to Shakespeare as well as the use of oak, a British native wood, are manifestations of immense national pride.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Sideboard, also known as the Pericles Dressoir
  • Designer: Bruce J. Talbert (British, Dundee, Scotland 1838–1881 London)
  • Manufacturer: Holland & Sons (British, 1843–1942)
  • Date: 1866
  • Culture: British, London
  • Medium: Oak, inlaid with ebony, walnut, boxwood, amaranth, carved and gilded; brass fittings
  • Dimensions: Overall: 128 × 113 × 30 in. (325.1 × 287 × 76.2 cm)
  • Classification: Woodwork-Furniture
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Gift of Irwin Untermyer, by exchange; Romano I. Peluso, Ada Peluso, William Lie Zeckendorf, Lila Acheson Wallace, Malcolm Hewitt Wiener Foundation, Carol Grossman, Patricia Wengraf Ltd., Anonymous, Henry Arnhold, Marilyn and Lawrence Friedland, Irene Roosevelt Aitken, Andrew Butterfield and Claire Schiffman, Jason Jacques, Anne Rorimer, and Ian Wardropper and Sarah McNear Gifts, in honor of James David Draper, 2015
  • Object Number: 2015.281a, b
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Gothic Forms Applied to Furniture, Metal Work and Decoration for Domestic Purposes, Bruce J. Talbert British, Scottish, Illustrations: photolithograph, lithograph
Gothic Forms Applied to Furniture, Metal Work and Decoration for Domestic Purposes
Multiple artists/makers
1867
Grand Pianoforte, Érard , made in London French, Satinwood veneer, oak, spruce, iron, steel, ebony, ivory, gilding, mother-of-pearl, holly, mahogany, burl walnut, tulipwood, silver wire, British
Grand Pianoforte
Manufacturer Érard
Designer George Henry Blake
ca. 1840
Writing and dressing table, Martin Carlin French, Sycamore, mahogany, boxwood, and ebony on oak; gilt bronze; brass; marble; leather, steel, French, Paris
Writing and dressing table
Martin Carlin
ca. 1785
Spoon holder, Christopher Dresser British, Scottish, Silver-plated brass, ebony, British, Birmingham or London
Spoon holder
Designer Design attributed to Christopher Dresser
Manufactory Hukin & Heath
ca. 1878–81
Candlestick (one of a pair), Bruce J. Talbert British, Scottish, Wrought brass, inset with cabochons and quartz, British
Candlestick (one of a pair)
Designer Bruce J. Talbert
Manufacturer Hart, Son, Peard & Co.
ca. 1870

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