Overdoor
1700-1730 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This panel was designed to go above a door in a wood-panelled room in France in the early 18th century. The presence of swags of flowers suggests that it was a room designed for entertaining. Such panelling was much admired in the 19th century and much copied. Panels such as this were acquired as models for designers and carvers. It is one of several hundred carvings given to the Museum in 1921 by Sir Charles Allom and his wife, in memory of their son, who died in the First World War. From 1893 Sir Charles headed White Allom & Co., one of the most successful firms of architectural decorators in Britain, specialising in the copying of historic styles. Between 1900 and 1914 he also began to work for clients in the United States and after the First World War he spent time in both countries. The collection of carvings seems to have been put together as a study collection for his son, perhaps in the expectation that he would follow in his father's footsteps and take over the firm.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Carved and painted oak |
| Brief description | Overdoor panel, from a scheme of room panelling, painted and gilded. The panel is rectangular and shows an inner rectangular panel, with incurved corners, outlined in gilt mouldings. In the centre is a female mask against a cartouche, above a low plinth hung with a lambrequin. Between the cartouche and the upper corners on either side hangs a swag of flowers. W.460-1921 is another panel from the same interior. |
| Physical description | Overdoor panel, from a scheme of room panelling, of oak, painted and gilded. The panel is rectangular and shows an inner rectangular panel, with incurved corners, outlined in gilt mouldings. In the centre is a female mask against a cartouche, above a low plinth hung with a lambrequin. Between the cartouche and the upper corners on either side hangs a swag of flowers. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Credit line | Given by Sir Charles and Lady Allom in memory of their son, Lieutenant Cedric Allom RFA |
| Summary | This panel was designed to go above a door in a wood-panelled room in France in the early 18th century. The presence of swags of flowers suggests that it was a room designed for entertaining. Such panelling was much admired in the 19th century and much copied. Panels such as this were acquired as models for designers and carvers. It is one of several hundred carvings given to the Museum in 1921 by Sir Charles Allom and his wife, in memory of their son, who died in the First World War. From 1893 Sir Charles headed White Allom & Co., one of the most successful firms of architectural decorators in Britain, specialising in the copying of historic styles. Between 1900 and 1914 he also began to work for clients in the United States and after the First World War he spent time in both countries. The collection of carvings seems to have been put together as a study collection for his son, perhaps in the expectation that he would follow in his father's footsteps and take over the firm. |
| Associated object | W.460-1921 (Ensemble) |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.459-1921 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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