This seat, which was designed by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema R.A. b.1836 d.1912 and exhibited at the Arts and Crafts Exhibition of 1893, was one of a pair which stood in the studio of the painter's house in St. John's Wood. It is shown in a number of his paintings, and an interesting feature is that one side is Pompeian in style, being based on a couch which was excavated at Pompeii in 1868, and the other Egyptian. The covering is a modern replacement. [Unknown]
This seat is one of a pair designed by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema R.A. (1836-1912) for his studio in the celebrated house in Grove End Road; one side is inspired by a Pompeian original; the other is Egyptian in style. [Unknown]
Designed by Sir Laurence Alma-tadema (1836-1912)
Possibly made by Johnstone, Norman & Co., London
Mahogany, satinwood, ebony, and cedar with mother-of-pearl inlay and brass mounts. Modern upholstery, with original leather straps.
One of a pair designed by Alma-Tadema for the studio in his house in Grove End Road, London. One side is closely based on an ancient Roman bronze seat excavated at Pompeii, the other side is Egyptian. This seat acted as a studio prop and appears in many of his paintings. The firm of Johnstone, Norman and Co. made several pieces of furniture for Alma-Tadema and may therefore have produced this seat for his own house. []