Artwork

Stereoscopic photograph (No. 122) of Messrs. Hunt and Roskell's case at the International Exhibition of 1862

Stereoscopic photograph (No. 122) of Messrs. Hunt and Roskell's case at the International Exhibition of 1862 is a photographic photography by the Impressionist artist William England. It dates from 1862 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

The cases look like glass cabinets, with labels on the bottom and a crowd of people gathered around them.

This is a black-and-white photo of glass display cases packed with ornate vases, lamps, and silverware. The objects are arranged neatly, catching the light in ways that make them sparkle. The cases look like glass cabinets, with labels on the bottom and a crowd of people gathered around them.

The photo was taken at a big exhibition in 1862, showing off fancy goods from Hunt and Roskell. The way the light hits the glass and metal gives everything a sharp, almost three-dimensional look.

If you like this kind of careful lighting, check out the technique: chiaroscuro.

Overview

This 1862 stereoscopic photograph captures the exhibition booth of Hunt and Roskell, a London firm specializing in jewellery, watchmaking and silversmithing, at the International Exhibition in South Kensington. The image presents a pair of glass display cabinets filled with decorative vases, lamps and silverware, illuminated so that the objects appear to sparkle. A small crowd gathers before the cases, and the frame bears the publisher’s imprint and the catalogue number 122.

Subject & Meaning

The picture documents the commercial presentation of luxury goods during the mid‑Victorian era, illustrating how manufacturers used the exhibition platform to showcase craftsmanship and attract patrons. The orderly arrangement of objects and the presence of onlookers convey both the aesthetic appeal of the items and the public’s interest in technological and decorative advances displayed at the fair.

Technique & Style

Created as a stereograph, the photograph consists of two slightly offset images intended for viewing through a stereoscope, producing a sense of depth. The black‑and‑white medium emphasizes contrasts of light and shadow on glass and metal surfaces, a visual effect comparable to chiaroscuro, which heightens the three‑dimensional impression of the displayed wares.

History & Provenance

The image forms part of a series of 350 stereoscopic views commissioned by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company under an exclusive arrangement for the exhibition. Produced by photographer William England, the print was distributed to the public and collectors as a visual record of the 1862 International Exhibition, and it retains its original publisher’s markings.