The Great Exhibition, 1851: Sideboard of Carved Walnut by Fourdinois

Photograph of a carved sideboard shown at the Great Exhibition by Fourdinois. Figures of dogs feature along the base of the sideboard, supporting the main surface. Above this is a central panel featuring a carving of a game still life which includes a fallen deer. On the upper part of the sideboard is a painted picture of a plant in a planter, which is enclosed on both sides by human figures. The top of the sideboard in decorated with a depiction of a seated female figure with putti on either side.

This photograph is from Volume III (RCIN 2800002) of ' Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations, 1851: Reports by the Juries on the Subjects in the Thirty Classes into which the Exhibition was Divided'. The incredibly successful Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations, commonly known as the Great Exhibition, ran from May to October 1851. At the exhibition's conclusion, over 100 copies of the four volume 'Reports by the Juries' were distributed to foreign governments and notable participants. The reports consist of the juries' comments and assessments of the works displayed in the exhibition. The idea and decision to illustrate the reports with photographs is attributed to Prince Albert (1819-61).