Designs for a silver centrepiece and figures and monuments, by John Flaxman (1755- 1826), circa 1807-1815

On the recto sketch designs, three on one page, for a silver centrepiece. The Centrepiece in the form of a figure of Venus being borne up in a shell by figures and sea horses. Two of the sketches are for the whole centrepiece and the other is a detail of the base in the form of spreading acanthus.
Profile, less than full size.
On the verso sketches for monuments and figures including a design for a naval monument with a seated enthroned figure crowned with laurel and naval prows, and two sketches for a monument with gothic and classical canopies enclosing a seated figure.
These drawings have been made on a sheet of paper previously used for a letter from Dr Ranier.
Sketches, less than full size.
By John Flaxman (1755- 1826), circa 1809.

The centrepiece depicted on the recto is probably the earliest of several Flaxman conceptions for silver based on marine themes. A more finished design for this centrepiece is in the British Museum (1900-8-24-197). A copy by E. H. Baily after this design is in the British Museum (1913-3-31-293).
A very similar composition of Venus and sea horses, designed by Flaxman, was used for the centre of a salver made for Sir Joseph Neeld, Philip Rundell's great nephew, hallmarked 1819-20. Flaxman's drawing for the centre is in the British Museum (1900-8-24-184). A copy of this drawing by E. H. Baily is in the British Museum (1913-3-31-287), on paper watermarked 1818.
Two of the designs on the verso are variants of a monument designed by Flaxman in 1806 and erected in 1809 for Harriet Herring Baring, Micheldever Church, Hampshire. Flaxman later produced several monuments based on the Baring designs, including the Bromley Monument in Baginton Warwickshire erected in 1815.
Bequeathed C. I. Ionides, 1900.

CAI.990