Caryatid figure
Statue
ca. 1636 (made)
ca. 1636 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This and A.8-1988 formed part of an overmantel for a chimney piece. The swags of fruit, combined with the classical herms recall the work of the Renaissance architect and designer Inigo Jones.
They were part of an overmantel at Wilton House, Wiltshire, and were possibly commissioned by Philip Herbert, 1st Earl of Montgomery and 4th Earl of Pembroke. It is likely that the overmantel was in the South front of Wilton House before this part of the building was destroyed by fire around 1647 or 1648.
The caryatids closely resemble a drawing for a chimneypiece and overmantel which Inigo Jones designed for Oatlands Palace in Surrey in 1636. The putti heads on the caryatids at Oaklands Place have here been replaced with female ones.
Inigo Jones (1573-1652) was one of the first great English architects. He is known primarily for introducing the Palladian style into England from Venice.
They were part of an overmantel at Wilton House, Wiltshire, and were possibly commissioned by Philip Herbert, 1st Earl of Montgomery and 4th Earl of Pembroke. It is likely that the overmantel was in the South front of Wilton House before this part of the building was destroyed by fire around 1647 or 1648.
The caryatids closely resemble a drawing for a chimneypiece and overmantel which Inigo Jones designed for Oatlands Palace in Surrey in 1636. The putti heads on the caryatids at Oaklands Place have here been replaced with female ones.
Inigo Jones (1573-1652) was one of the first great English architects. He is known primarily for introducing the Palladian style into England from Venice.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | Caryatid figure (generic title) |
Materials and techniques | Stone |
Brief description | Statue, stone, one of a pair of Caryatid figures, after designs attributed to Inigo Jones, English, ca. 1636 |
Physical description | Herm-like form consists of a female head and neck surmounting a column decorated with swags of fruit, and, beneath, foliate forms carved in relief. |
Dimensions |
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Object history | Purchased with A.8-1988, in 1988 for £15,549.29. Formerly in the possession of Thomas, 8th Earl of Pembroke (1654-1732), Wilton House, Wiltshire. By descent through the family. Sold Christies London, July 3rd 1961, lot 10, to the godfather of architect Roland Starke, Santa Monica, CA, who gave it to his godson. Mr. Starke lived in London until 1975-6, when he moved to Los Angeles. During the time he owned them they were displayed outside, and shortly before the 1988 sale he restored some of the swags and the nose of one figure. Then sold Christie's, New York, April 23rd 1988, lot 82. |
Historical context | This and A.8-1988 formed part of an overmantel for a chimney piece. |
Production | made after designs attributed to Inigo Jones |
Subject depicted | |
Summary | This and A.8-1988 formed part of an overmantel for a chimney piece. The swags of fruit, combined with the classical herms recall the work of the Renaissance architect and designer Inigo Jones. They were part of an overmantel at Wilton House, Wiltshire, and were possibly commissioned by Philip Herbert, 1st Earl of Montgomery and 4th Earl of Pembroke. It is likely that the overmantel was in the South front of Wilton House before this part of the building was destroyed by fire around 1647 or 1648. The caryatids closely resemble a drawing for a chimneypiece and overmantel which Inigo Jones designed for Oatlands Palace in Surrey in 1636. The putti heads on the caryatids at Oaklands Place have here been replaced with female ones. Inigo Jones (1573-1652) was one of the first great English architects. He is known primarily for introducing the Palladian style into England from Venice. |
Associated object | A.8-1988 (Pair) |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | A.7-1988 |
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Record created | June 24, 2009 |
Record URL |
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