Satinwood bookcase
In Dorian's attic, the piece is simply described as being of satinwood and holding his old schoolbooks (Wilde 118). Basil references the piece as being "almost empty" when Dorian brings him up to see the portrait before killing him (Wilde 148).
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The Artstor database describes the piece as a desk and bookcase done in rosewood and satinwood, circa 1836-50. The piece is by J. & J. W. Meeks, and is of Gothic revival style. While Wilde's text does not go into detail regarding the piece, this image is a stand in for the type of piece that could be in Dorian's attic.
Oscar Wilde
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Artstor, Metropolitan Museum of Art, University of California San Diego
Wilde, Oscar. <em>The Picture of Dorian Gray</em>. Penguin, 2000.<br />ARTstor Slide Gallery, Data from:<span> University of California, San Diego</span>
Penguin
Artstor, University of San Diego
Wilde's text/ 1891
Penguin/2000
1836-50
Hannah Phillips
Penguin books
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Artstor
English
Text, still image
Italian cassone
In the school room space, Dorian recognizes this piece of furniture as something he would hide himself inside as a child (a literal type of closeting in the text). It is described as having "fantastically painted panels" with "tarnished gilt mouldings" (Wilde 118) suggesting that it is fairly old and disused. Like much of Dorian's attic room furniture the piece seems to be more Renaissance or Gothic in style.
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The Met attributes this cassone to the workshop of mid 15th century Florentine artist Apollonio di Giovanni di Tomaso. It is described as being made of poplar wood, linen, polychromed and gilded gesso, and panels painted in tempera and gold. Though this may not be the exact piece referenced in Wilde's text, the painting and gilding of the piece are similar to what Dorian keeps in his schoolroom.
Oscar Wilde
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The Met, Apollonio di Giovanni di Tomaso
Wilde, Oscar. <em>The Picture of Dorian Gray</em>. Penguin, 2000.<br /><a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/192693">The Metropolitan Museum of Art</a>
Penguin
The Met
Wilde's text/ 1891
Penguin/ 2000
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After 1461
Hannah Phillips
Penguin Books
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The Metropolitan Museum of Art
English
Text, still image
Venetian coverlet
Dorian uses this piece to conceal his portrait in the novel. The piece is satin, purple with gold embroidery according to the text (Wilde 115), and was found by Dorian's grandfather in a convent near Bologna. When Dorian chooses to use the tapestry as a coverlet for his shameful portrait (an image linked to masked homosexuality in the text) he compares the coverlet to "a pall for the dead" (115).
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While this piece is photographed in black and white and there are little details regarding its specific details other than that it is silk and velvet, it serves as an interesting visual supplement to what Dorian's coverlet may have looked like.
Oscar Wilde
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Victoria and Albert Museum item, unknown maker
Wilde, Oscar. <em>The Picture of Dorian Gray</em>. Penguin, 2000.<br />---<br /><a href="http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O481909/coverlet/">Victoria and Albert Museum</a>
Penguin books
Wilde's text/ 1891
Penguin/2000
Hannah Phillips
Penguin Books
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Victoria and Albert Museum, London
English
Text, still image