MRS PATRICK CAMPBELL’S VANITY. An important Piece Of Theater History .
This spectacular dressing table was owned by the great turn of the century actress Mrs. Patrick Campbell. It has been treasured by my family for over 100 years. The table is solidly Edwardian constructed and must have been the Rolls Royce of dressing tables. The exterior is made from the finest mahogany. It is in excellent condition. Closed , it has a handsome and deceivingly simple masculine Edwardianlook style. Upon opening, it shimmers and astounds. The hinged top lifts up to rest upright, revealing two panel doors enclosing a long mirror and two smaller mirrors to their reverse, the flat surface unfolds widely to reveal additional quadrant-shaped further glass and wood surfaces and a variety of additional openings of compartments and drawers. The entire interior is fitted out with a variety of toilette and dressing implements in hallmarked Sterling silver mounts comprising brushes, hand mirrors, pots and dishes with cut-crystal bodies and silver tops. There too are a button hook, a pair of glove stretchers,a shoe horn, toothbrushes and a few manicure implements,. Belowand inside,there are two small ivory knobbed drawers, which each have spring actioned secret compartments behind them. Sotheby’ description 2022 of a near identical piece “An Edwardian silver-mounted mahogany and boxwood-strung dressing table set, circa 1900, by Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company | Kenneth Neame: Cadogan Square and Mayfair”. DIMENSIONS: Extended: 146cm. high, 178.5cm. wide, 72cm. deep; Closed: 96cm. high, 91cm. wide, 58.5cm. deep PROVENANCE: MRS PATRICK CAMPBELL (1865 - 1940) a Great (American/British) Broadway and West End & Star. Adored by many, but especially by George Bernard Shaw (1856- 1950) - a famous correspondence, exists of their friendship of many years .His “Pygmalian” (1913); (the musical version of which is “My Fair Lady”(1956) was inspired by Mrs. Pat and the leading role,Eliza Doolittle, Shaw wrote for her. (See photo # JM Barrie (1860-1937), the creator of “Peter Pan” was a great admirer and friend. (An archive of their letters was sold in 2019 by my brother’s estate. In my possession is a heavily annotated copy of Ivor Novello’s (1893-1951) play “Party”(1932)filled with Mrs Pat ‘ notes in pen and pencil. It was a success for her-in New York and toured . “The Second Mrs Tanqueray” (1893) by Pineiro (1855-1934) was considered a scandalous work. Mrs. Pat had no fears of breaking with tradition and famous for her quick wit and sharp tongue. She was a good friend of my grandmother’s, the society designer and co founder of the boutique firm Farquharson and Wheelock (1906) designers for Mrs Coolidge,Mrs Cyrus McCormick, the Woolworths and the 1924 Cornelia Vanderbilt wedding at “Biltmore”. The dressing table was given to me in her estate. Any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Specifications
| All Returns Accepted | ReturnsNotAccepted |
| Antique | Yes |
| Handle Finish | Antique Brass |
| Shape | Rectangular |
| Indoor/Outdoor | Indoor |
| Item Length (Interior) | 91cm |
| Year Manufactured | 1900 |
| Item Length | 178cm |
| Original/Licensed Reproduction | Original |
| Item Height | 146cm |
| Style | Edwardian |
| Personalized | Yes |
| Features | Lift Top |
| Finish | High Polish |
| Room | Any Room |
| Item Width | 178cm |
| Assembly Status | Fully Assembled |
| Color | Silver |
| Tabletop Material | Mahogany |
| Material | Mahogany |
| Type | Dressing Table |
| Time Period Manufactured | 1900-1919 |
| Country/Region Of Manufacture | United Kingdom |
| Handle Material | Brass |
| Item Weight | 66 lb |
This spectacular dressing table was owned by the great turn of the century actress Mrs. Patrick Campbell. It has been treasured by my family for over 100 years. The table is solidly Edwardian constructed and must have been the Rolls Royce of dressing tables. The exterior is made from the finest mahogany. It is in excellent condition. Closed , it has a handsome and deceivingly simple masculine Edwardianlook style. Upon opening, it shimmers and astounds. The hinged top lifts up to rest upright, revealing two panel doors enclosing a long mirror and two smaller mirrors to their reverse, the flat surface unfolds widely to reveal additional quadrant-shaped further glass and wood surfaces and a variety of additional openings of compartments and drawers. The entire interior is fitted out with a variety of toilette and dressing implements in hallmarked Sterling silver mounts comprising brushes, hand mirrors, pots and dishes with cut-crystal bodies and silver tops. There too are a button hook, a pair of glove stretchers,a shoe horn, toothbrushes and a few manicure implements,. Belowand inside,there are two small ivory knobbed drawers, which each have spring actioned secret compartments behind them. Sotheby’ description 2022 of a near identical piece “An Edwardian silver-mounted mahogany and boxwood-strung dressing table set, circa 1900, by Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company | Kenneth Neame: Cadogan Square and Mayfair”. DIMENSIONS: Extended: 146cm. high, 178.5cm. wide, 72cm. deep; Closed: 96cm. high, 91cm. wide, 58.5cm. deep PROVENANCE: MRS PATRICK CAMPBELL (1865 – 1940) a Great (American/British) Broadway and West End & Star. Adored by many, but especially by George Bernard Shaw (1856- 1950) – a famous correspondence, exists of their friendship of many years .His “Pygmalian” (1913); (the musical version of which is “My Fair Lady”(1956) was inspired by Mrs. Pat and the leading role,Eliza Doolittle, Shaw wrote for her. (See photo # JM Barrie (1860-1937), the creator of “Peter Pan” was a great admirer and friend. (An archive of their letters was sold in 2019 by my brother’s estate. In my possession is a heavily annotated copy of Ivor Novello’s (1893-1951) play “Party”(1932)filled with Mrs Pat ‘ notes in pen and pencil. It was a success for her-in New York and toured . “The Second Mrs Tanqueray” (1893) by Pineiro (1855-1934) was considered a scandalous work. Mrs. Pat had no fears of breaking with tradition and famous for her quick wit and sharp tongue. She was a good friend of my grandmother’s, the society designer and co founder of the boutique firm Farquharson and Wheelock (1906) designers for Mrs Coolidge,Mrs Cyrus McCormick, the Woolworths and the 1924 Cornelia Vanderbilt wedding at “Biltmore”. The dressing table was given to me in her estate. Any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
