Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level C , Case M, Shelf 112

Design

c.1998 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This design relates to a bench in the V&A’s collection (M.23-1998). The bench was commissioned from the Rural Development Commission and designed by their then forgework advisor, Paul Allen. It was made over several months during 1998 by a team of blacksmithing apprentices, many of whom signed the piece.

The bench was designed to display a variety of forgeworking techniques, both constructive and decorative, such as the double heeled tenon joints which form the end frames and the fire-welded flower motifs. The mild steel seat is decorated with repoussé and chased ornament and features the arms of the Ironmongers’ Company, including two salamanders, animals reputedly able to withstand fire unscathed.

This detailed design is a preparatory study for one of the heraldic salamanders that decorates the back panel of the bench.

Together with the other three designs relating to this project (E.809-2014, E.810-2014 and E.807-2014), these drawings show the design process for an object in the V&A’s collection and demonstrate the continuation of hand-drawn design.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Pencil drawing on paper
Brief description
Design for a salamander to be used in an iron bench design, by Paul Allen, pencil on paper, c.1998
Physical description
Design drawing for a salamander, pencil on paper. The salamader is positioned centrally and is intended to be viewed in portrait, standing on its hind legs. The artist's initials 'PCA' are inscribed on the amphibian's tail. The artist's mark, a pink ink stamp with the initials 'PA' either side of a sword, is visible in the bottom right corner.
Dimensions
  • Width: 29.6cm
  • Height: 42cm
Marks and inscriptions
'PCA' Artist's mark, a pink ink stamp with the initials 'PA' either side of a sword. (Artist's initials, 'PCA' inscribed on the salamanders tail. The artist's mark (a pink ink stamp with the initials 'PA' either side of a sword) is visible in the bottom right corner.)
Credit line
Given by Paul Allen
Object history
This design relates to a bench in the V&A’s collection (M.23-1998). The bench was commissioned from the Rural Development Commission and designed by their then forgework advisor, Paul Allen. It was made over several months during 1998 by a team of blacksmithing apprentices, many of whom signed the piece.
Subject depicted
Summary
This design relates to a bench in the V&A’s collection (M.23-1998). The bench was commissioned from the Rural Development Commission and designed by their then forgework advisor, Paul Allen. It was made over several months during 1998 by a team of blacksmithing apprentices, many of whom signed the piece.

The bench was designed to display a variety of forgeworking techniques, both constructive and decorative, such as the double heeled tenon joints which form the end frames and the fire-welded flower motifs. The mild steel seat is decorated with repoussé and chased ornament and features the arms of the Ironmongers’ Company, including two salamanders, animals reputedly able to withstand fire unscathed.

This detailed design is a preparatory study for one of the heraldic salamanders that decorates the back panel of the bench.

Together with the other three designs relating to this project (E.809-2014, E.810-2014 and E.807-2014), these drawings show the design process for an object in the V&A’s collection and demonstrate the continuation of hand-drawn design.
Associated object
Collection
Accession number
E.810-2014

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdNovember 19, 2014
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest