The Wallace Collection

17/07/2026

Would you pay more for a copy than an original?

This magnificent writing table is a 19th century English copy of an 18th century French original.

The 4th Marquess of Hertford commissioned the London cabinetmaker John Webb to make this writing table, based on one made in Paris around 1715 for Maximilian II Emanuel, Elector of Bavaria (now in the Louvre).

The Marquess paid £825 - a staggering amount at the time (more than £100,000 in today's money) and, in some cases, more than collectors were paying for original pieces of furniture - and made the piece his own by replacing the Bavarian coat of arms with the Seymour-Conway family.

Senior Furniture Conservator Jürgen Huber takes a closer look at the table, examining its construction and comparing the craftsmanship of a drawer to one from the 18th century.

Find out more about the legendary French cabinetmaker André-Charles Boulle, whose work inspired this desk: https://www.wallacecollection.org/explore/explore-in-depth/boulles-furniture/

See the table in our East Drawing Room.

Writing table, John Webb, 1854–57

Photos from The Wallace Collection's post

16/07/2026

A secret scandal hidden inside a snuffbox…

Press the button beneath this exquisite snuffbox and a hidden compartment slides open, revealing two miniature portraits mounted back to back: Voltaire (1694–1778) and Madame du Châtelet (1706–1749).

Both were among the outstanding intellectuals of their time in Enlightenment Paris - Voltaire a famous author and playwright, Madame du Châtelet a renowned mathematician and translator of scientific texts.

When they met, Madame du Châtelet was married to the Marquis du Châtelet and the mother of three children. With her husband frequently away on military campaigns, she devoted herself to the study of mathematics and science.

What followed was one of the most famous intellectual and romantic partnerships of the 18th century.

From 1733 until her death in 1749, Voltaire and Madame du Châtelet lived, worked and loved together. Contrary to custom, they didn't keep their liaison hidden and went out together, in love, under the eyes of Parisian society, shocking some and captivating others.

The fifteen-year relationship between the intellectual power couple was the subject of a book by Nancy Mitford, ‘Voltaire in Love’, chronicling Voltaire and Châtelet together at her château in Cirey, producing scientific papers and translations of Newton, while deep in their passionate romance.

A philosopher, scientist and author in her own right, Châtelet’s translation of Isaac Newton’s ‘Principia Mathematica’ is still the only French translation to date.

After her death, Voltaire mourned her deeply, writing of a woman who translated Virgil, explained Newton, remained humble despite her brilliance and whose friendship and courage he would grieve for the rest of his life.

Encounter this real life Les Liaisons dangereuses in our Bo***ir Cabinet.

Snuffbox, Probably Johann Christian Neuber (1736–1808), around 1775 (miniatures late 18th century or later)

15/07/2026

✨ What makes a museum truly exceptional? The ‘perfect balance between quantity and quality’…

We’re delighted to be featured in The Telegraph's ‘anatomy of a perfect museum.’

And perhaps the best part? Admission to our museum is free, making one of the world's finest collections accessible to all.

Read more:

The anatomy of the perfect museum From engaging labels to a child-friendly approach, these practical, innovative ideas elevate any exhibition experience