ENGLISH, MANNER OF OWEN JONES EGYPTIAN REVIVAL COFFER, CIRCA 1870 walnut, sycamore and ebony with brass fittings

(73cm wide, 54cm high, 47cm deep)

Literature: Metropolitan Museum of Art Collection, Accession Number: 16.1.1 and 16.1.2a, b Jones, Owen The Grammar of Ornament, pl XI no.23 Note: The form and inlay of this box closely relate in form and decoration to a jewellery chest and a cosmetics coffer of the 12th Dynasty, reign of Senwosret II–Amenemhat III, circa 1887–1813 B.C. Owen Jones was also one of the most influential design theorists of the nineteenth century. His seminal publication, The Grammar of Ornament, the global and historical design sourcebook has never been out of print. Jones was Superintendent of the Works of the Great Exhibition in 1851 and in 1852 joint Director of Decoration of the Crystal Palace. When this building was removed to Sydenham he designed the Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Alhambra Courts. The monumental centrepiece of the Egyptian Court also incorporates decorative elements found on this chest. The use of dark and light, foreign and native timbers in this piece of furniture are reflected in work designed by Jones for Eynsham Hall, Oxfordshire, and reflected his interest in unconventional combinations of materials typical of furniture produced by specialist firms such as Jackson & Graham.