Mould
1800s (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.
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.
The sunflower, here in stylised form, was a particularly popular motif in interior decoration and the applied arts in the 19th century. It is a symbol of gratitude, constancy, remembrance and the art of painting.
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.
The sunflower, here in stylised form, was a particularly popular motif in interior decoration and the applied arts in the 19th century. It is a symbol of gratitude, constancy, remembrance and the art of painting.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Boxwood, carved |
Brief description | Boxwood mould for plasterwork, 1800s, English (George Jackson & Sons Ltd. collection) |
Physical description | Carved boxwood mould with a floral rosette design |
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. 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. The sunflower, here in stylised form, was a particularly popular motif in interior decoration and the applied arts in the 19th century. It is a symbol of gratitude, constancy, remembrance and the art of painting. |
Collection | |
Accession number | W.718-1989 |
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Record created | September 5, 2006 |
Record URL |
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