Not currently on display at the V&A

Section of moulding

Sketch-Model
ca. 1855 - ca. 1870 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This section of a moulding is so far unidentified. It is made by Alfred Stevens in ca. 1855-1870.
A sculptor, designer and painter, Alfred Stevens (1817/18- 1875) rejected contemporary distinctions between fine art and design. From 1850 to 1857 he was chief designer to Hoole & Co., Sheffield, where he produced award-winning designs for metalwork, majolica, terracotta ornaments and chimney-pieces. Perhaps his two greatest works were the decorations for the dining-room at Dorchester House, London (about 1856), for which he made countless drawings inspired by the Italian High Renaissance style, in particular the work of Michelangelo and the monument to the Duke of Wellington for St Paul's Cathedral, London, which was completed after his death. The two allegorical groups from this monument made a lasting impact on the New Sculpture movement.
The influence of the Italian Renaissance is evident in much of Steven's work, and is perhaps best reflected in the Wellington monument.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleSection of moulding (named collection)
Materials and techniques
Plaster cast
Brief description
Sketch-model, plaster, for a section of moulding, by Alfred Stevens, English, ca. 1855-70
Physical description
Interlacing ribbon and leaf ornament between plain mouldings.
Dimensions
  • Length: 242mm
  • Width: 92mm
  • Depth: 52mm
  • Weight: 0.98kg
Object history
Purchased from Mrs Ada Gamble, 12 Stanlake Villas, Shepherd's Bush, London, together with a range of other objects by Stevens, for £175. Mrs Gamble was the widow of James Gamble, a pupil of Stevens, who had a large collection of designs and drawings by his former master.
Historical context
This section of a moulding is so far unidentified.
Subject depicted
Summary
This section of a moulding is so far unidentified. It is made by Alfred Stevens in ca. 1855-1870.
A sculptor, designer and painter, Alfred Stevens (1817/18- 1875) rejected contemporary distinctions between fine art and design. From 1850 to 1857 he was chief designer to Hoole & Co., Sheffield, where he produced award-winning designs for metalwork, majolica, terracotta ornaments and chimney-pieces. Perhaps his two greatest works were the decorations for the dining-room at Dorchester House, London (about 1856), for which he made countless drawings inspired by the Italian High Renaissance style, in particular the work of Michelangelo and the monument to the Duke of Wellington for St Paul's Cathedral, London, which was completed after his death. The two allegorical groups from this monument made a lasting impact on the New Sculpture movement.
The influence of the Italian Renaissance is evident in much of Steven's work, and is perhaps best reflected in the Wellington monument.
Bibliographic reference
Bilbey, Diane and Trusted, Marjorie. British Sculpture 1470-2000. A Concise Catalogue of the Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 2002, p. 411, cat. no. 676
Collection
Accession number
A.70-1911

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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