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Cabinet containing jigsaw maps

Unknown artist, Late 18th century

A cabinet with 14 drawers containing some of the earliest surviving examples of dissected or jigsaw-puzzle maps.

The maps were used to teach geography to King George III's children (among them the future George IV and William IV) by their governess, Lady Charlotte Finch (1725-1813) and are one of the first surviving educational children's toys.

The puzzles include printed maps from an instructive atlas published by Palairet in Paris and the earliest dissected maps, produced by John Spilsbury in the mid-1760s. The manuscript maps were probably added by Lady Charlotte and the children: indeed, some include charming classroom mistakes.

More information

Title of artwork, date

Cabinet containing jigsaw maps, Late 18th century

Date supported

2007

Medium and material

Mahogany cabinet with engraved & manuscript maps mounted on wood

Dimensions

103.5 x 48 x 29 cm

Grant

120,000

Total cost

120,000

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