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London: Parliament House (designs for). Design for an urn with finial and two handles terminated in figures; the centre is decorated with four classical figures in relief; it is set on a spreading base.
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Reference number
Adam vol.7/140
Purpose
London: Parliament House (designs for). Design for an urn with finial and two handles terminated in figures; the centre is decorated with four classical figures in relief; it is set on a spreading base.
Aspect
Detail
Inscribed
Inscribed in ink in a contemporary hand M.r Pit to the King
Signed and dated
- Undated, probably 1762/63
Medium and dimensions
Pen on buff paper
150 x 72
Hand
James Adam
Notes
This drawing is a companion to Adam vol.7/139 and can likewise be connected to James Adam's Parliament House scheme of 1762/63. The inscription may refer to William Pitt (1708-78), the politician, who became Earl of Chatham in 1766. However, there is another Pitts who was a contemporary silversmith associated with the Adam Office (see R. Rowe, Adam Silver, London, 1965, pp.43-4). The King is George III who ascended to the throne in 1760. There are no other versions of this design amongst the silver designs in Adam volume 25.
This drawing was lent to the exhibition The Classical Ideal, English Silver 1760 - 1840, Koopman Rare Art, London, 3 - 25 June 2010
This drawing was lent to the exhibition The Classical Ideal, English Silver 1760 - 1840, Koopman Rare Art, London, 3 - 25 June 2010
Level
Drawing
Exhibition history
The Classical Ideal: English Silver 1760-1840, Koopman Rare Art, London, 3 - 25 June 2010
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