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[3] Design for a plain fire surround and an overmantel with a portrait frame, surrounded by swags of flowers, birds and foliage, hung from ribbons, and including a male portrait medallion
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Reference number
SM, volume 110/36
Purpose
[3] Design for a plain fire surround and an overmantel with a portrait frame, surrounded by swags of flowers, birds and foliage, hung from ribbons, and including a male portrait medallion
Aspect
Elevation, incomplete on right side of overmantel
Scale
About ¾ inch to 1 foot
Inscribed
In ink by Dance, at bottom right,Gd, and by C19 hand to right, (36)
Signed and dated
- Undated, but probably near beginning of period c. 1689-94
Medium and dimensions
Pen and brown ink with grey washes, over graphite under drawing, with some additions in graphite; on laid paper, laid down, with pinkish-brown blotching and staining in top 60mm; 466 x 285
Hand
Gibbons
Watermark
Countermark: PVL (see 110/32)
Notes
Compositionally, this design is closest to 1, 110/32. The cresting is surmounted by an acanthus whorl (only the left half of which is shown) in a manner reminiscent of Gibbons's reredos carving at St. James's Piccadilly (mid-1680s). The figure in the large portrait medallion appears to be in the garb of a classical figure, possibly a philosopher.
Literature
Wren Society, vol. IV, pl. 32, bottom
Level
Drawing
Digitisation of the Drawings Collection has been made possible through the generosity of the Leon Levy Foundation
If you have any further information about this object, please contact us: drawings@soane.org.uk