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Design for a chair in the Gothic manner
Bridgens, Richard, born 1785 - died 1846 - Enlarge image
Design for a chair in the Gothic manner
- Object:
Design
- Place of origin:
London, England (made)
- Date:
1818 (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Bridgens, Richard, born 1785 - died 1846 (maker)
Atkinson, William, born 1768 - died 1839 (maker) - Materials and Techniques:
Pencil and watercolour
- Museum number:
E.758-1982
- Gallery location:
Prints & Drawings Study Room, level E, case W, shelf 104
Although this design looks Victorian in style, in fact it was made in 1818. This was 17 years before Queen Victoria came to the throne. The famous writer Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) wanted Gothic style furniture for his new house at Abbotsford, near Melrose in Scotland. He was an antiquarian (a person who studies and collects things of the past) and wrote historical novels. So although he wanted the furniture to be new, it also had to appeal to his historical imagination. He commissioned the well known cabinetmaker George Bullock to provide it. Bridgens and Atkinson, designers associated with Bullock, provided a series of drawings. The furniture was imitated for the rest of the 19th century. Its solid construction and simple yet sophisticated design set a popular pattern.
