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Alternative preliminary design and designs for the second drawing room chimneypiece, 1773-73, Adam volume 23/46 as executed (3)
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Alternative preliminary design and designs for the second drawing room chimneypiece, 1773-73, Adam volume 23/46 as executed (3)
Notes
Adam's first scheme for the second drawing room chimneypiece (Adam volumes 24/171 and 23/45) was designed in 1773, and was not executed.
The second scheme of 1774 (Adam volume 23/46) was included in the second volume of The works in architecture of Robert and James Adam (part 1, plate 3), and is illustrated with only minor alterations to the drawing. It shows the carayatids supporting the overmantel mirror frame in the drawing having been replaced with terms, ornamented with drops of calyx in the shafts. Adam's preface to this plate reads:
Two Chimney-pieces in the Front and Second Withdrawing-rooms, with Glass-Frames over them. These chimney-pieces are of statuary marble, and the frames for the glasses are carved in wood and gilt.
Here it is suggested that the chimneypiece and its overmantel - in both Adam's drawing and the Works - was executed. However, it is not known to have survived when the house was demolished in 1862.
Harris has noted that Adam's design for the second drawing room overmantel mirror frame is comparable to those he designs for Robert Child at Berkeley Square (Adam volume 20/38) in 1771, the Earl of Bute for Luton Park (Adam volume 20/116) in 1772, and the Duke of Bolton for Southampton Row (Adam volume 20/82) in 1773. Although it does not survive, the overmantel frame from 23 Grosvenor Square has since been widely imitated from the engraving in the Works.
The second scheme of 1774 (Adam volume 23/46) was included in the second volume of The works in architecture of Robert and James Adam (part 1, plate 3), and is illustrated with only minor alterations to the drawing. It shows the carayatids supporting the overmantel mirror frame in the drawing having been replaced with terms, ornamented with drops of calyx in the shafts. Adam's preface to this plate reads:
Two Chimney-pieces in the Front and Second Withdrawing-rooms, with Glass-Frames over them. These chimney-pieces are of statuary marble, and the frames for the glasses are carved in wood and gilt.
Here it is suggested that the chimneypiece and its overmantel - in both Adam's drawing and the Works - was executed. However, it is not known to have survived when the house was demolished in 1862.
Harris has noted that Adam's design for the second drawing room overmantel mirror frame is comparable to those he designs for Robert Child at Berkeley Square (Adam volume 20/38) in 1771, the Earl of Bute for Luton Park (Adam volume 20/116) in 1772, and the Duke of Bolton for Southampton Row (Adam volume 20/82) in 1773. Although it does not survive, the overmantel frame from 23 Grosvenor Square has since been widely imitated from the engraving in the Works.
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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
Contents of Alternative preliminary design and designs for the second drawing room chimneypiece, 1773-73, Adam volume 23/46 as executed (3)
- [15] Preliminary design for a chimneypiece for the second drawing room, 1773, unexecuted
- [16] Design for a chimneypiece for the second drawing room, 1773, unexecuted
- [17] Design for a chimneypiece and overmantel for the second drawing room, 1774, executed with alterations