The Etruscan dressing room chimneypiece and overmantel are included in the second volume of The works in architecture of Robert and James Adam (part 1, plate 6), and are illustrated in accordance with Adam's drawing. The preface to this plate reads:

Two Chimney-pieces: in the Great Withdrawing-room, and the Countess of Derby's Dressing-room. The former is finely executed, in statuary marble, inlaid with various coloured scagliola and brass ornamented, gilt in or moulu. The glass-frame over it is carved in wood, and gilt. The latter is likewise executed in statuary marble, inlaid with scagliola, in the Etruscan style, both with regard to the form of the ornament, and the peculiarity of the colouring. The glass-frame over it is of wood, carved and coloured in the same manner.

Here it is suggested that the chimneypiece and overmantel - in both Adam's drawing and the Works - are shown as executed.

The scheme had originally been designed for the glass drawing room at Northumberland House in 1773 (Adam volume 22/55), but according to Harris, the Duke of Northumberland was persuaded to release the design as more appropriate for Lady Derby's Etruscan dressing room. Indeed, Harris continues, this is 'one of the few mirrors in the so-called "Etruscan" style indicated here only by the brief use of a black ground'.

The chimneypiece was lost when the house was demolished in 1862, but the overmantel mirror frame was removed to Battle Abbey, East Sussex. It was hung in the drawing room of that house until 1978, when it was sold into a private collection. The mirror was sold again on 25 February 2012 at High Road Auctions of Chiswick to another private collector.

Group

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