Not currently on display at the V&A

Mould

1800-1840 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This fine example of the carver's art is a mould for decorative relief plasterwork, of the kind used to adorn panelling, ceilings, fireplaces and door surrounds. The stylised flower motif or rosette was used to enrich corners or roundels, or to disguise joins in linear ornament such as ribbon moulding.

Different mixtures of whiting, glue and gum arabic, known as 'composition', were pressed into the boxwood mould to make crisp, detailed mouldings that were light and easy to apply to a ceiling or wall. For larger mouldings paper pulp or some kind of textile were added to provide body. The development of moulded composition ornament brought about a decline in the number of professional woodcarvers needed for decorating interiors. Skilled carvers, however, were still very much in demand for the production of perfect moulds.

This piece is part of a large collection of moulds and carvings once owned by George Jackson & Sons, a London firm specialising in decorative plasterwork. Established in 1780, Jackson's are reputed to have produced neo-classical mouldings for interiors designed by the Adam brothers, such as those at Croome Court in Worcestershire. Later projects included work on the Royal Pavilion at Brighton, Buckingham Palace and several Cunard liners.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Boxwood, carved
Brief description
Boxwood mould, carved with rosette, London, early 19th century
Physical description
Carved boxwood mould with a floral rosette design
Style
Marks and inscriptions
GS (Stamped on the decorated face)
Credit line
Given by Clark and Fenn Ltd.
Production
The firm from which the V&A acquired this mould, George Jackson & Sons Ltd, was based in London until its move to Mitcham, Surrey in 1988.
Subject depicted
Summary
This fine example of the carver's art is a mould for decorative relief plasterwork, of the kind used to adorn panelling, ceilings, fireplaces and door surrounds. The stylised flower motif or rosette was used to enrich corners or roundels, or to disguise joins in linear ornament such as ribbon moulding.

Different mixtures of whiting, glue and gum arabic, known as 'composition', were pressed into the boxwood mould to make crisp, detailed mouldings that were light and easy to apply to a ceiling or wall. For larger mouldings paper pulp or some kind of textile were added to provide body. The development of moulded composition ornament brought about a decline in the number of professional woodcarvers needed for decorating interiors. Skilled carvers, however, were still very much in demand for the production of perfect moulds.

This piece is part of a large collection of moulds and carvings once owned by George Jackson & Sons, a London firm specialising in decorative plasterwork. Established in 1780, Jackson's are reputed to have produced neo-classical mouldings for interiors designed by the Adam brothers, such as those at Croome Court in Worcestershire. Later projects included work on the Royal Pavilion at Brighton, Buckingham Palace and several Cunard liners.
Collection
Accession number
W.761-1989

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Record createdSeptember 5, 2006
Record URL
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