John Evelyn's Cabinet, 1644-1646 V&A Museum no. W.24-1977

This cabinet was made for the diarist John Evelyn (1620-1706), and is an early example of a piece of furniture commissioned by a British visitor making the 'Grand Tour' of Europe. the cabinet was made to incorporate 19 pietre dure(hardstone) panels, which Evelyn had purchased in Florence from their maker, Domenico Benotti (active 1630-50), in 1644. The cabinet was then extended to accommodate bronze plaques, probably made by Francesco Fanelli (active 1610-42). The manuscript of Evelyn's diary was first published in the early nineteenth century, long after his death. The national recognition he achieved in turn gave the cabinet new significance and it was further embellished with the gilt brass mounts, decorated with amorini and swags, the strawberry leaf cresting and the cabinet stand. Objects often acquire their fame because of who owned them - what makes this cabinet so fascinating is that its ownership actually influenced its physical appearance.

On return from the Grand Tour the cabinet was probably housed in Dover Street London. Soon after Evelyn's death in 1706 it was moved to his country residence, Wotton House in Wotton, Surrey. In 1813, John Evelyn's diaries were discovered in an 'ebony cabinet', quite possibly this one at Wotton House.

[edit] Bibliography

• Jackson, Anna (ed.) (2001). V&A: A Hundred Highlights. V&A Publications.