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[1] Design
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Reference number
SM 81/2/54
Purpose
[1] Design
Aspect
Plan of Chimney Piece, Elevation of Chimney Piece and detail of Entablature to Chimney Piece full size
Scale
bar scale of ¼ inch to 1 foot and full size
Inscribed
as above, Monsr Caillone / Piccadillyand dimensions given
Signed and dated
- Gt Scotland Yard / Octr 31 1791
Medium and dimensions
Pen and sepia wash, shaded on thin wove paper (539 x 336)
Hand
Soane office
Notes
Charles Alexandre, Vicomte de Calonne (1734-1802) was Controller-General of Finances from 1783 to 1787 and has been blamed, perhaps unfairly, for the financial crisis that led to the French Revolution of 1789. Exiled in 1787 Calonne lived in London until 1802 when he received permission from Napoleon Bonaparte to return to France. He died soon after.
The very unusual chimney-piece is shaped like a pier table to stand against a wall or, it could be said, to resemble a porch. The dimensions read: 5' 2" wide by 1' 10" deep with the bases to each leg 4¼ sqr (square). The plan is segmental with four tapering legs, two fluted and two plain, offering an alternative treatment. Acanthus capitals, a waterleaf and dart moulding and three bands of balls ornament the legs and the 'entablature'. Its Frenchified design is a reminder not only that it was commissioned by a Frenchman but - in some of the details such as the legs - that Soane once worked (from 1772 to 1778) for the stylistically Francophile Henry Holland (1745-1806).
See also the Soane Museum's online book catalogue for books bought by Soane from Calonne's library after the great sale of 1793. These are not architectural and (all in French) are mostly literature.
Jill Lever, January 2013
The very unusual chimney-piece is shaped like a pier table to stand against a wall or, it could be said, to resemble a porch. The dimensions read: 5' 2" wide by 1' 10" deep with the bases to each leg 4¼ sqr (square). The plan is segmental with four tapering legs, two fluted and two plain, offering an alternative treatment. Acanthus capitals, a waterleaf and dart moulding and three bands of balls ornament the legs and the 'entablature'. Its Frenchified design is a reminder not only that it was commissioned by a Frenchman but - in some of the details such as the legs - that Soane once worked (from 1772 to 1778) for the stylistically Francophile Henry Holland (1745-1806).
See also the Soane Museum's online book catalogue for books bought by Soane from Calonne's library after the great sale of 1793. These are not architectural and (all in French) are mostly literature.
Jill Lever, January 2013
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