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  • image SM Adam volume 20/253

Reference number

SM Adam volume 20/253

Purpose

[1] Design for ornamentation of a picture frame, 1784, possibly executed

Aspect

Elevation of a picture frame surmounted by ornamentation, with a central portrait oval surmounted by crenellations forming a mural crown, and flanked by a recumbent lion and unicorn surrounded by military trophies. There are further portrait rondels to the left and right, surmounted by a stag with a thistle, and a lion with a rose respectively, and each of the portraits are linked with festoons

Scale

bar scale of ¾ inches to 1 foot

Inscribed

Design of an Ornament for the top of a picture frame for Mr Alderman Boydell / 253

Signed and dated

  • April 1784
    Robt Adam 1784 / April 3.d 1784

Medium and dimensions

Pen, pencil and coloured washes including Naples yellow, cerulean blue, pink and olive green on laid paper (517 x 372)

Hand

Probably
Robert Adam

Verso

Preliminary design (red chalk) as Adam volume 20/253

Watermark

IV

Literature

Bolton, 1922, Volume II, Index p. 52
Harris, 1990, p. 93, 97
Ballew Neff, 1996, p. 68
For a full list of literature references see scheme notes.

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