Not currently on display at the V&A

Swag (4 Sections)

ca. 1725-50 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

These fragments are from a carved swag which may have decorated panelling or furniture. In the ancient world, swags of foliage and flowers indicated a place of entertainment and celebration, and for this reason such motifs were often incorporated into the decoration of rooms of entertainment in the eighteenth century. 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
Parts
This object consists of 4 parts.

  • Fragment
  • Fragment
  • Fragment
  • Fragment
Materials and techniques
Pinewood, carved, gessoed and gilded
Brief description
Curved swag of pinewood, carved with roses and rose leaves, gessoed and gilded
Physical description
A curving swag of pinewood, carved with roses and rose leaves, gessoed and oil gilded. It is possible that one section is missing from one end of the swag.
Dimensions
  • Overall, approximately width: 59.5cm
  • At widest point height: 10cm
  • Approximately depth: 5cm
Overall dimension taken from acquisition register. That describes the carving as a wreath, so inverts the measurements (length for width and vice versa). There is apparent discrepancy between the total of the parts and the whole because, if whole swag were repaired, elements on one piece would like under or over the edges of the adjacent piece.
Style
Credit line
Given by Sir Charles and Lady Allom in memory of their son, Lieutenant Cedric Allom RFA
Subject depicted
Summary
These fragments are from a carved swag which may have decorated panelling or furniture. In the ancient world, swags of foliage and flowers indicated a place of entertainment and celebration, and for this reason such motifs were often incorporated into the decoration of rooms of entertainment in the eighteenth century. 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.
Collection
Accession number
W.665:1 to 4-1921

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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