Not currently on display at the V&A

Puzzle

1750s (printed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This dissected map of England and Wales was cut to Lady Charlotte Finch's direction. It is divided into counties, visually crowded with details such as distances from one town to another by road. It most likely would not have been designed as an educational tool, but rather for professional purposes. It was held in Lady Charlotte Finch's puzzle cabinet, in which she kept the dissected map puzzles she had commissioned for the children of George III, in her role as Royal Governess.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Engraving mounted on thin mahogany, cut to shape.
Brief description
Dissection puzzle of England and Wales, 1760s, engraving mounted on mahogany, from Lady Charlotte Finch's puzzle cabinet.
Physical description
Engraved map of England and Wales, from 1750s, divided into counties, mounted on thin mahogany and cut to shape in 49 pieces.
Dimensions
  • Height: 55cm
  • Width: 54cm
Production typeUnique
Credit line
Presented by Art Fund jointly to the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Historic Royal Palaces
Historical context
Lady Charlotte Finch (1725-1813) was governess to the children of King George III for 30 years from 1762-1792. In this time, she oversaw 14 of the king and queen's 15 children.
Subjects depicted
Places depicted
Association
Summary
This dissected map of England and Wales was cut to Lady Charlotte Finch's direction. It is divided into counties, visually crowded with details such as distances from one town to another by road. It most likely would not have been designed as an educational tool, but rather for professional purposes. It was held in Lady Charlotte Finch's puzzle cabinet, in which she kept the dissected map puzzles she had commissioned for the children of George III, in her role as Royal Governess.
Bibliographic reference
Shefrin, Jill. Such Constant Affectionate Care: Lady Charlotte Finch - Royal Governess & the Children of George III . Los Angeles: The Cotsen Occasional Press, 2003
Collection
Accession number
B.13-2011

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Record createdDecember 8, 2011
Record URL
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