SM Adam volume 31/23

[2] Design for an altar, c1769, unexecuted

Elevation of a gothic, stepped screen with a central castellated section containing a lancet arch. Set within the arch there is an altar raised on a base ornamented with rosette roundels and an ornamental compartmental band containing calyx and rosettes. Above this there are bands of roundels ornamented with acanthus leaves set within quatrefoil and lozenges, and a large central rosette ornamented with quatrefoil and acanthus leaves, all set within a lozenge band. This is flanked by stylised, paired Corinthian columns ornamented with fluting and strigilation. The central arch is flanked by paired, giant, fluted Corinthian columns, with two tiers of statues set in between. The statues are raised on fluted bases and set within niches with triangular arches with pinnacles above. The central section of the screen has a frieze of acanthus leaves set within a semi-circular-headed band. The crenulations are ornamented with draped figures set within ogee arches and flanked by rosettes, with foil enclosed within lozenges set in between. The crenulations terminate in pediments ornamented with rosette roundels flanked by fluted columns, and the pediments are surmounted by calyx and foil supporting calyx. The central section of the screen is flanked by ogee compartmental doorways, surrounded by a band of rosettes and surmounted by acanthus leaves and pinnacles. Above the doorway there is a lozenge band and a rosette roundel, and all this is set within a lancet arch. The arch is flanked by Corinthian columns and it is surmounted by acanthus leaves supporting a cross. Above there is a triangular apex surmounted by acanthus leaf pinnacles and calyx