In the first drawing room Bolton notes the presence of two finely executed console tables with ram masks incorporated into the legs (SM Adam volume 17/22). The table frames for this room were designed to incorporate Florentine scagliola tops produced by Lamberto Cristiano Gori. Harris notes this early acquisition of Sir Watkin’s, ordered whilst in Florence and intended as a gift for his first wife. Sadly Lady Henrietta never saw the finished article as they were not delivered to Sir Watkin until 1771, two years after her death. Harris notes that the pieces were originally intended for Sir Watkin’s townhouse at 2 Grosvenor Square, but Adam incorporated the tops into designs produced for the first drawing room at 20 St. James’s. The tables are now in Palm Springs, California.

Harris notes a reference to ‘4 Gilt mettle Tripods’ supporting candle branches ordered from Joseph Creswell in April 1776 and intended for the first drawing room. She points to three variant designs for tripod candelabra (SM Adam volume 6/53-54, 17/60) and suggests it likely that one of the designs was used for Creswell’s work. However, Bolton’s photographs of c1914 record a tripod executed to an unknown design. Harris noted that the ‘Tripods’ must have been of some significance, costing £168. 8s, but their whereabouts is unknown.

Update: The online Historic England image library includes a black and white photograph of from the interior of 20 St James's Square, showing that Adam volume 17/60 was executed in a pair. With thanks to Chris Coles for this information.

Group

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