Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level E , Case A, Shelf 278

Design

1877
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This is a design drawing in pencil, ink, and coloured wash on paper for Major Godman's stables at Smeaton by Philip Webb. It is signed and dated June 1877. The sheet is composed of elevations of the stables from all sides, and sections through the cistern. The drawing indicates that the plans are referred to in the building agreement. Pencil drawings may represent later changes to the design.
Webb designed Smeaton Manor in 1876 for Major Arthur Fitzpatrick Godman and Ada Phoebe Godman. The project was his fifth country home and is located in Great Smeaton, North Yorkshire. Ada was the daughter of Lowthian Bell, for whom Webb designed the renovations for Washington Grange, as well as the large country home called Rounton Grange. For Smeaton Manor, Webb designed the house, farm buildings, and stables, which were all made of brick from local clay. Though most of the project was completed, Webb’s full plans were never realised due to the family’s financial circumstances.
Philip Speakman Webb (Oxford, 1831-Sussex, 1915) was a prominent British architect who designed numerous buildings throughout Great Britain. Known for his contributions to British vernacular architecture, Webb was also a skilled draughtsman, and designer of tableware, tiles, stained glass, and furniture. He also designed gravestones and memorials for his friends and clients. Webb lent his hand to many collaborative projects and worked closely with his colleagues, namely William Morris, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, and Edward Burne Jones. His precise drawings of animals, particularly birds, frequently adorn tiles, stained glass, textiles, and wallpaper produced by Morris and Co. Webb is best known for designing Morris’ Red House in Bexleyheath, as well as Clouds House, Naworth Castle, and several London town houses. Among his other accomplishments, Webb is attributed with laying the groundwork for the Arts and Crafts and Modern movements, establishing longstanding principles in historic preservation, and creating some of the most influential designs still studied and celebrated today.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Brief description
Design drawing for Major Godman's stables at Smeaton by Philip Webb, 1877
Physical description
This is a design drawing in pencil, ink, and coloured wash on paper for Major Godman's stables at Smeaton by Philip Webb. It is signed and dated June 1877. The sheet is composed of elevations of the stables from all sides, and sections through the cistern. The drawing indicates that the plans are referred to in the building agreement. Pencil drawings may represent later changes to the design.
Dimensions
  • Length: 74cm
  • Height: 51cm
Credit line
Accepted in lieu of Inheritance Tax by H M Government from the estate of John Brandon-Jones and allocated to the Victoria and Albert Museum, 2014
Object history
This object is part of a set of 278 designs and drawings formerly in the collection of John Brandon-Jones. Brandon-Jones was an architect and architectural historian.
Summary
This is a design drawing in pencil, ink, and coloured wash on paper for Major Godman's stables at Smeaton by Philip Webb. It is signed and dated June 1877. The sheet is composed of elevations of the stables from all sides, and sections through the cistern. The drawing indicates that the plans are referred to in the building agreement. Pencil drawings may represent later changes to the design.
Webb designed Smeaton Manor in 1876 for Major Arthur Fitzpatrick Godman and Ada Phoebe Godman. The project was his fifth country home and is located in Great Smeaton, North Yorkshire. Ada was the daughter of Lowthian Bell, for whom Webb designed the renovations for Washington Grange, as well as the large country home called Rounton Grange. For Smeaton Manor, Webb designed the house, farm buildings, and stables, which were all made of brick from local clay. Though most of the project was completed, Webb’s full plans were never realised due to the family’s financial circumstances.
Philip Speakman Webb (Oxford, 1831-Sussex, 1915) was a prominent British architect who designed numerous buildings throughout Great Britain. Known for his contributions to British vernacular architecture, Webb was also a skilled draughtsman, and designer of tableware, tiles, stained glass, and furniture. He also designed gravestones and memorials for his friends and clients. Webb lent his hand to many collaborative projects and worked closely with his colleagues, namely William Morris, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, and Edward Burne Jones. His precise drawings of animals, particularly birds, frequently adorn tiles, stained glass, textiles, and wallpaper produced by Morris and Co. Webb is best known for designing Morris’ Red House in Bexleyheath, as well as Clouds House, Naworth Castle, and several London town houses. Among his other accomplishments, Webb is attributed with laying the groundwork for the Arts and Crafts and Modern movements, establishing longstanding principles in historic preservation, and creating some of the most influential designs still studied and celebrated today.
Associated objects
Bibliographic reference
See page 126-131 of "Philip Webb: Pioneer of Arts and Crafts Architecture" by Sheila Kirk, West Sussex, Wiley-Academy, 2005.
Collection
Accession number
e.442-2014

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Record createdJune 17, 2014
Record URL
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