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Design for decorative panel of ornament in the antique style, showing three sphinxes supporting a table top with a large floral vase, flanked by two urns of different design
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Reference number
Adam vol.25/190
Purpose
Design for decorative panel of ornament in the antique style, showing three sphinxes supporting a table top with a large floral vase, flanked by two urns of different design
Aspect
Elevation
Inscribed
Inscribed in ink in Robert Adam's hand Vaso anticha scoperta nel anno 1757 (bottom) Frammento cavato d'un Terra Cotta anticho (top)
Signed and dated
- 1757
Medium and dimensions
Black chalk, pen185 x 199
Hand
Robert Adam
Notes
In the opinion of A. A. Tait, this drawing relates in time and place or subject to those contained in Adam volume 55.The inscriptions in Robert Adam's hand indicate that the drawing was made before his departure from Rome in May 1757. The sheet is amongst a group of designs for silver (see Adam vol.25/167-189), and several of these may also belong to this period (see M. Snodin, 'Putting Adam into Context', Silver & Jewellery, Birmingham, 1995, p.16). The composition may be compared with a design for an epergne in Adam vol.6/100 and an ink sketch in Adam vol.6/90 dated 1744 for a bath in the antique style. Snodin suggests that a drawing for a tureen in Adam vol.9/88 belongs to 'perhaps late 1750s'.
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