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Finished drawing for a commode, possibly for the saloon, 1771, unexecuted (1)
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Purpose
Finished drawing for a commode, possibly for the saloon, 1771, unexecuted (1)
Notes
According to Harris the ornamentation on this commode comprises 'Adam's first full scale use of painted grotesque as furniture decoration.' It makes use of Adam's earlier style, with relatively large-scale ornament, and further to this, the rectangular shaped commode was later abandoned by Adam in favour of the more elegant segmental and semi-circular arrangements.
This commode design may have been intended for the saloon. The heavy use of the colour pink and gilding correspond with other designs for the room (Adam volumes 12/86 and 50/54). Moreover, the use of a relatively large-scale anthemion motif corresponds with that in the cove for the saloon (Adam volumes 12/86 and 50/54), and the use of paired sphinxes flanking an urn corresponds with the overdoors (Adam volume 50/54).
None of Adam's designs for Colebrooke are known to have been completed owing to his financial difficulties. See scheme notes.
This commode design may have been intended for the saloon. The heavy use of the colour pink and gilding correspond with other designs for the room (Adam volumes 12/86 and 50/54). Moreover, the use of a relatively large-scale anthemion motif corresponds with that in the cove for the saloon (Adam volumes 12/86 and 50/54), and the use of paired sphinxes flanking an urn corresponds with the overdoors (Adam volume 50/54).
None of Adam's designs for Colebrooke are known to have been completed owing to his financial difficulties. See scheme notes.
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Digitisation of the Drawings Collection has been made possible through the generosity of the Leon Levy Foundation
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