We don’t have an image of this object online yet. V&A Images may have a photograph that we can’t show online, but it may be possible to supply one to you. Email us at vaimages@vam.ac.uk for guidance about fees and timescales, quoting the accession number: A.18-1975
Find out about our images

Not currently on display at the V&A

Roundel

Roundel
ca. 1863 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Together with A.18 - A.22-1975 and A.16 to 21-1911 the roundels were study models for wood-panels for the walnut doors at the dining-room at Dorchester House, Park Lane, London, now in the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool.
They were made by Alfred Stevens (1817-1875) in ca. 1863. A sculptor, designer and painter, Alfred Stevens 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.

Dorchester House was a stately mansion in Park Lane built in 1853 by Robert Stayner Holford, a wealthy landowner, art collector, and a Member of Parliament. Alfred Stevens designed and executed the fittings for Dorchester House between 1863 and 1865. The mansion was demolished in 1929.




Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleRoundel (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Plaster
Brief description
Roundel, sketch model, plaster in glazed frame, a boy with double pipes, for door panels at Dorchester House, by Alfred Stevens, English, ca. 1863
Physical description
Roundel, plaster in a glazed frame. The roundel shows a boy seen from the back with a double pipe in relief and has a beaded moulding.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 29cm
Credit line
Presented by Art Fund
Object history
Together with A.19 to 22-1975 and A.16 to 21-1911 these were study models for wood panels of doors in Dorchester House, Park Lane, London, now in the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool.

Historical significance: On acquisition this group of sketch models was considered especially important as a record of the original working models produced by a sculptor. The plaster cast represent a stage in Steven's method of production: they include figure studies, designs for metalwork and ceilings, details of fireplaces, stoves, fenders, etc.


Historical context
Together with A.18 - A.22-1975 and A.17 to 21-1911 the roundels were study models for wood-panels for the walnut doors at the dining-room at Dorchester House, Park Lane, London, now in the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool.
Subjects depicted
Summary
Together with A.18 - A.22-1975 and A.16 to 21-1911 the roundels were study models for wood-panels for the walnut doors at the dining-room at Dorchester House, Park Lane, London, now in the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool.
They were made by Alfred Stevens (1817-1875) in ca. 1863. A sculptor, designer and painter, Alfred Stevens 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.

Dorchester House was a stately mansion in Park Lane built in 1853 by Robert Stayner Holford, a wealthy landowner, art collector, and a Member of Parliament. Alfred Stevens designed and executed the fittings for Dorchester House between 1863 and 1865. The mansion was demolished in 1929.


Associated objects
Bibliographic references
  • Towndrow, K.R. The works of Alfred Stevens in the Tate Gallery, London, 1950, p. 119.
  • Bilbey, Diane with Trusted, Marjorie. British Sculpture 1470 to 2000. A Concise Catalogue of the Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum. London: V& A Publications, 2002, cat. no. 638.
  • Beattie, Susan. Alfred Stevens 1817-1875, London : Victoria and Albert Museum, 1975 41
Collection
Accession number
A.18-1975

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 createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSON