Drawing
1779
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
A drawing of the bottom of a gold and enamel Freedom box. Plan. Shown full size 89 x 153 mm.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Pencil, pen and ink, grey wash and watercolour on a laid paper. |
| Brief description | A design for the bottom of a gold and enamel Freedom box by John Bacon (1740-1799), 1779 |
| Physical description | A drawing of the bottom of a gold and enamel Freedom box. Plan. Shown full size 89 x 153 mm. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions | Inscribed in in ink E. |
| Gallery label | John Bacon (1740-1799)
Designs for a Freedom Box for
Admiral Keppel. 1779
Inscribed with letters
Pen and ink and watercolour
These six drawings for the faces of a box in
gold, enamel and heart of oak, were made by
the sculptor John Bacon in response to an
open competition set by the City of London.
In March 1779 the appointed committee saw
these drawings but accepted only the sides
and bottom, deciding to combine them with a
design for the top submitted by William
Charron, an enameller. The box (now in the
Museum of London) was presented at the
end of the year, accompanied by an
illustrated printed book. If Bacon's top had
been adopted, the result would have been one
of the most splendid and original neo-classical
Freedom Boxes, its two-coloured sculptural
gold set off by the heart of oak background.
Among the other competitors for the box
was Robert Adam.
E.248-253-1946 |
| Object history | A design for the bottom of a gold and enamel Freedom box with an indicated inscription tablet in the centre. This is one of a group of six drawings for the faces of a box in gold, enamel and heart of oak. Made by the sculptor John Bacon in response to an open competition set by the City of London. The box was made for presentation to Admiral Augustus Keppel. In March 1779 the appointed committee saw these drawings but accepted only the sides and bottom, deciding to combine them with a design for the top submitted by William Charron, an enameller. The box (now in the Museum of London) was presented at the end of the year, accompanied by an illustrated printed book. Bequethed by Miss Julia Sharpe in 1946 per Professor J. S. Pearson, University College London. |
| Associated objects | |
| Bibliographic reference | Victoria & Albert Museum Department of Engraving Illustration and Design & Department of Paintings, Accessions 1946. London: Published under the Authority of the Ministry of Education, 1949.
T. Murdoch, M. Snodin, ‘Admiral Keppel’s ‘freedom box’ from the City of London’, Burlington Magazine, June 1993, pp. 403-410, fig.39. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | E.253-1946 |
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| Record created | June 30, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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