Escritoire a toilette (1910 - 1911)

Technique: Giclée quality print
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More about this artwork

Delve into the intricate artistry of Edwin Foley's "Escritoire à Toilette," crafted between 1910 and 1911. This mesmerizing piece is not just furniture but a masterpiece that encapsulates the luxury and detailed craftsmanship of the early 20th century.The escritoire, a type of writing desk, features an opulent design with a curved shape and ornate, cascading legs that demonstrate the finesse of traditional furniture making. The exterior is richly decorated with marquetry, incorporating a variety of woods to create picturesque scenes and complex patterns that are pleasing to the eye.Central to the design are the vividly rendered vignettes set within oval cartouches; pastoral scenes depict tranquil village life, echoing the romanticism of their era. These illustrations are encased in geometric borders and adorned with floral motifs, which highlight Foley’s attention to detail and his ability to harmonize natural imagery with structured designs.Perched atop the desk is a classical urn, further enhancing its stately appearance and serving as a crowning element that complements the overall aesthetic. This desk not only served a practical purpose but also stood as a decorative piece, demonstrating the owner's refined taste and appreciation for art.

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Yes, reproductions can be returned.

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Author and illustrator of The Book of Decorative Furniture, published in 2 volumes by T. C. & E. C. Jack in 1910-11, which featured one hundred reproductions in full colour and one thousand text illustrations. The book went through a number of editions.

Almost nothing has been published about Foley other than that he was a Fellow of the institute of designers.

He was born Edwin John Foley in Fisherton Anger, Wiltshire, c.1859, the second child and eldest son of furniture manufacturer Arthur Foley of the Fisherton Cabinet Works, Salisbury, and his wife Jane. He was at least partly educated in London,  where he lived with his uncle and aunt, Peter and Rhoda Marie Brown.

He worked as a designer for his father from at least the early 1880s, but by 1891 was living in Charlotte Street, Marylebone, with his wife Louisa Maud (nee Hayford), whom he married in 1882. They had three children, Conrad Hayford (b. 1885), Hubert Edwin (b. 1887) and Alan Victor (b. 1888).

Edwin John Foley lived at 294 Camden Road, Middlesex, and died at Cottesloe, Western Australia, on 25 April 1912.

Many more pictures by Edwin Foley can be found at the Look and Learn picture library.