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[32] Unfinished presentation drawing for a large epergne, c1781
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Reference number
SM Adam volume 49/29
Purpose
[32] Unfinished presentation drawing for a large epergne, c1781
Aspect
Elevation of an elaborate, canopied epergne with eleven visible legs, four of them in the form of winged sphinxes, and the rest are volutes. The table rail is fringed with crockets and ornamented with guilloche, and supported urns containing pencil-drawn fruit. The canopy is supported by thirteen visible columns in the form of palms, and from it hang twelve lanterns and two further bowls of fruit. The canopy is largely material but is surmounted by a framework dome supporting an urn, and ornamented with anthemia, and a chinoiserie style framework lantern ornamented with anthemia, fans, and further palm columns
Scale
to a scale, about half size
Inscribed
Epergne for Lord Mansfield (in pencil) / Eperge (sic) for Lord Mansfield (in the hand of William Adam) (verso) Lord Mansfield Epergne (in pencil)
Signed and dated
- 1781
datable to 1781
Medium and dimensions
Pen, pencil and coloured washes including Indian yellow, terre verte and pink on laid paper (1650 x 958)
Hand
Adam office hand, possibly Robert Morison
Literature
Bolton, 1922, Volume II, Index p. 19
Bryant, 1990, p. 10
For a full list of literature references see scheme notes.
Bryant, 1990, p. 10
For a full list of literature references see scheme notes.
Level
Drawing
Exhibition history
Original Drawings of Robert and James Adam, Kenwood House, London, 1953
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