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Object Timeline

1938	We acquired this object.
2012	We photographed this object.
2014	We exhibited this object.
2021	You found it!

Drawing, Inkstand

This is a Drawing. It was designed by Giuseppe Barberi. We acquired it in 1938. Its medium is pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, graphite on off-white laid paper. It is a part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design department.

This design for a writing set was intended to be executed in silver. Directions for the craftsperson are scrawled under a small plan in the upper right corner. The scheme resembles a fountain, with Venus rising from her bath at the center. Basins at each of the four corners would contain seals, wax, ink and sand wells, a candle holder, nibs and pens. The sketch at the upper left represents a drawer handle for a hidden writing paper compartment. Rippling strokes of brown wash indicate which surfaces were to be rendered in imitation of water.

Barberi invented and drew fountains throughout his career. Although many were architectural fantasies, he did submit a project design for a Roman fountain to Pius VI in 1778. The motif of the reclining river god, seen here, relates to several of his fountain designs.

Barberi is known for his fluid sketching technique with pen and ink and his dramatic use of brush and wash for shading. This drawing reflects his early training with the goldsmith Luigi Valadier. The artist drew tirelessly but, despite his technical virtuosity, received few actual commissions and thus most of his bold designs exist only on paper.

Small writing desk with curved back continuing in natural curve down the back legs. Liftable writing surface inset with stamped leather. Surface on all sides decorated with Oriental design of petals of mother-of-pearl and entwining lines of brass and silver alloy.

Label on drawer edge: Carlo Zen/Milano

Writing Desk (Italy), ca. 1902
joined, bent and turned fruitwood, inlaid with brass, white metal and....
Gift of John Goodwin.
1963-29-1

Upper left, front elevation of a desk. Upper section with center having flap opening to a compartmented interior with drawers and pigeon-holes, flanked by two lower sections with short drawers; center with flap opening to another series of compartments, and fitted for writing; below, two long drawers on legs. Upper right, details of construction, sections at two levels, shown from above. Scale at left.

Drawing, Design for Mechanical Furniture: Desk, ca. 1805
graphite, pen and ink, brush and watercolor on paper.
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council.
1911-28-488

Rectangular form, two shades of mahogany, solid and veneer, on four square tapering legs with horizontally ribbed bronze inlays, square bronze cuffs, acorn feet. Hinged table top with bronze edging and automatically emerging book-rest can be tilted and raised to various levels. One wide drawer in table skirt with ribbed bronze border and two bronze swag handles contains sliding leather-covered writing surface over three inner rear drawers and two sliding covered drawers in front, one of which is compartmented and can be pulled out through side of large drawer. Above each leg on skirt, a square cuff, three vertical grooves and a rosette; bronze beading frames central panel on each side. Horizontal splits through top in four places, badly scratched in upper left corner, other minor scratches, missing beading, missing pieces of wood.

Architect's Table (Germany), 1780–95
carved and joined mahogany, mahogany veneer, oak, walnut, pine, cherry,....
Gift of Anonymous Donor.
1952-160-1

Our curators have highlighted 2 objects that are related to this one.

Shellflowers assembled in tall bouquet and set in an ornamental vase with glass dome as a mantel garniture; probably English.

Shellwork Bouquet (coquillage) (England), ca. 1850
shells (coquillage), blown glass, walnut.
Gift of Channing Hare.
1971-7-4-a/f

Design for a writing set with a central cartouche showing Apollo (at left) holding a bottle and a muse (at right). The scene is framed with foliage, a large bush-like arrangement above surmounted by a count's crest. Central cartouche is framed by asymmetrical wells on either side.

Print, Ecritoire de Porcelaine [Design for a Porcelain Writing Set,...
etching on off-white laid paper.
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council.
1921-6-212-15-a

Cite this object as

Drawing, Inkstand; Designed by Giuseppe Barberi (Italian, 1746–1809); Italy; pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, graphite on off-white laid paper; 1938-88-8189

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Hewitt Sisters Collect.

Short URL http://cprhw.tt/o/2D6eV/
Accession Number 1938-88-8189
Object ID 18553267