FDA-A.316:1-2013
Parts
Object number
FDA-A.316:1-2013
Object type
Identification
Title
Small Macnaghten Library Table
Title Type
assigned by cataloguer
Description
Queensland oak gate-leg table, with a fixed brass lamp with a stylised Eton lily, above a square top with inverted curved corners on hinged gateleg base flanked by baluster columns with a solid stretcher and inverted bell-shaped finial and knop on scrolled feet
Comments
This is one of two similar tables. These tables were designed by the Architect Edmond Lancelot (‘Bear) Warre and relate to several pieces of furniture that were made for the Macnaghten Library at Eton College.
In August 1929, the Vice-Provost Hugh Macnaghten, a former House Master, was declared missing. His body was later discovered in the Thames. He had suffered the loss of a great number of Old Boys, known personally to him, during the War. Eugen Millington-Drake, a boy in Hugh Macnaghten's house from 1901 to 1908, was deeply affected by the loss of his former House Master and had seen many of his contemporaries at Eton killed in the War. Millington-Drake was inspired to establish a memorial to both his House Master, Macnaghten, and the 53 former boys of their house, as well as eight other Eton friends. The project culminated in the redevelopment of a section of the School Hall and Library buildings. A new Myers Museum was created at the back of School Hall, while the former museum interior in School Library was redesigned to become the Macnaghten Library. Edmond Lancelot (‘Bear) Warre, son of the former Head Master and Provost, Edmond Warre, was the architect.
Born in 1877 at Eton, Edmund Lancelot Warre was educated at Eton College and Balliol College, Oxford. He served in the First World War as a captain in the King's Royal Rifle Corps and the Royal Air Force. Although now little-remembered, during his career Warre was described as a ‘well-known' architect and often referred to as the ‘Eton architect' in contemporary press reports. He worked as the College architect from about 1911. His designs elsewhere include several significant projects and a feature of his interiors is the warm oak panelling, which features in his design for the Macnaghten Library.
In August 1929, the Vice-Provost Hugh Macnaghten, a former House Master, was declared missing. His body was later discovered in the Thames. He had suffered the loss of a great number of Old Boys, known personally to him, during the War. Eugen Millington-Drake, a boy in Hugh Macnaghten's house from 1901 to 1908, was deeply affected by the loss of his former House Master and had seen many of his contemporaries at Eton killed in the War. Millington-Drake was inspired to establish a memorial to both his House Master, Macnaghten, and the 53 former boys of their house, as well as eight other Eton friends. The project culminated in the redevelopment of a section of the School Hall and Library buildings. A new Myers Museum was created at the back of School Hall, while the former museum interior in School Library was redesigned to become the Macnaghten Library. Edmond Lancelot (‘Bear) Warre, son of the former Head Master and Provost, Edmond Warre, was the architect.
Born in 1877 at Eton, Edmund Lancelot Warre was educated at Eton College and Balliol College, Oxford. He served in the First World War as a captain in the King's Royal Rifle Corps and the Royal Air Force. Although now little-remembered, during his career Warre was described as a ‘well-known' architect and often referred to as the ‘Eton architect' in contemporary press reports. He worked as the College architect from about 1911. His designs elsewhere include several significant projects and a feature of his interiors is the warm oak panelling, which features in his design for the Macnaghten Library.
Description
Dimensions
height (actual size): 730mm
width (actual size): 1215mm
length (actual size): 1222mm
width (actual size): 1215mm
length (actual size): 1222mm
Material
oak
Physical description
Queensland oak gate-leg table; with a fixed brass lamp with a stylised Eton lily, above a square top with inverted curved corners, on hinged gate-leg base flanked by baluster columns, with a solid stretcher and inverted bell shaped finial and knop, on scrolled feet
Production
Person
Warre, Edmond Lancelot, 1877 - 1961 (Designer)
Date
1937
History and association
Associated object
FDA-A.316:2-2013 (associated object)
Object history note
Provenance: Commissioned from the architect/designer by Eugen Millington-Drake for use in the original Macnaghten Library in School Hall
