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  • image SM Adam volume 21/169

Reference number

SM Adam volume 21/169

Purpose

Preliminary design for a chimney grate, ND

Aspect

Rough elevation of a fire grate with four bases ornamented with oval figurative medallions, enclosed drops of calyx, guilloche and Greek key, surmounted by obelisks ornamented with faux hieroglyphs in the outer bays, and the central bay supported the fire basket, with a turned bar, and has a pyramid-shaped back ornamented with Egyptian-esque figurative ornament, surmounted by sphinxes carrying a flaming urn, and flanked by tapering columns ornamented with masks, winged sphinxes and flaming urns

Scale

not to scale

Signed and dated

  • ND

Medium and dimensions

Pen and pencil on laid paper (235x162)

Hand

Probably Adam, Robert (1728--1792) - Collections, architect
Robert Adam

Notes

This drawing was pasted into a series of funerary monument designs by William Adam when he created the Adam volumes in the early nineteenth century. It is clear to see why such an error might have been made, and yet the design is also very obviously a fire grate, with the central elevated fire basket.

Level

Drawing

If you have any further information about this object, please contact us: drawings@soane.org.uk