A Miscellaneous Collection of Original Designs, made, and for the most part executed, during an extensive Practice of many years in the first line of his Profession, by John Linnell, Upholsterer Carver & Cabinet Maker. Selected from his Portfolio's at his Decease, by C. H. Tatham Architect. AD 1800. thumbnail 1
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Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level E , Case W, Shelf 8, Box C6

A Miscellaneous Collection of Original Designs, made, and for the most part executed, during an extensive Practice of many years in the first line of his Profession, by John Linnell, Upholsterer Carver & Cabinet Maker. Selected from his Portfolio's at his Decease, by C. H. Tatham Architect. AD 1800.

Drawing
ca. 1755 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The walls of the interior of this design were to be crimson to correspond with the upholstery on the sofa.

John Linnell (1729-1796) was the son of the famous furniture maker William Linnell (ca. 1703-1763). Unlike most furniture makers, John Linnell gained a design education at the St. Martin's Lane Academy, which was founded by William Hogarth in 1735. In 1750, aged 21, he joined his father's firm as a designer. On his father's death in 1763, John Linnell took over the family firm. During his lifetime John Linnell produced high quality furniture, which rivalled that of other leading furniture makers such as Thomas Chippendale, John Cobb and William Ince and John Mayhew.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleA Miscellaneous Collection of Original Designs, made, and for the most part executed, during an extensive Practice of many years in the first line of his Profession, by John Linnell, Upholsterer Carver & Cabinet Maker. Selected from his Portfolio's at his Decease, by C. H. Tatham Architect. AD 1800. (series title)
Materials and techniques
Ink, pencil and red, yellow, blue and black watercolour
Brief description
Design for an interior, featuring sofa, chimney piece, etc, John Linnell, late 18thC.
Physical description
A highly finished design for an interior which includes neoclassical-style cornicing and dado rail and floorboards. Above the fireplace is an elaborate picture frame with a dragon on the crest, two candle sockets and different designs for moulding either side; swags on the left, a branching tree form on the right. The picture features a bearded male figure pointing at a sheet of paper.

The white chimney piece features different designs either side, which use the same motifs; scrolls and swags. To the left is a sofa upholstered in red, with claw feet, two bolster cushions. Above the sofa, an elaborate clock hangs on the wall. It has a tree form. Six blue vases sit on the branches. Under the clock face is the face of a bearded man. The putti finial carries a scythe.
Dimensions
  • Height: 260mm
  • Width: 264mm
Style
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'Plate 8'
  • 'No. 1'
  • '104' '105' (in the same hand)
Object history
The walls of the interior of this design were to be crimson to correspond with the upholstery on the sofa.
Subjects depicted
Summary
The walls of the interior of this design were to be crimson to correspond with the upholstery on the sofa.

John Linnell (1729-1796) was the son of the famous furniture maker William Linnell (ca. 1703-1763). Unlike most furniture makers, John Linnell gained a design education at the St. Martin's Lane Academy, which was founded by William Hogarth in 1735. In 1750, aged 21, he joined his father's firm as a designer. On his father's death in 1763, John Linnell took over the family firm. During his lifetime John Linnell produced high quality furniture, which rivalled that of other leading furniture makers such as Thomas Chippendale, John Cobb and William Ince and John Mayhew.
Bibliographic references
  • Helena Hayward and Pat Kirkham,William and John Linnell: eighteenth century London furniture makers (London, ca. 1980), pp. 20, 61, pl 3 (v1).
  • Victoria and Albert Museum, Department of Engraving, Illustration and Design and Department of Paintings, Accessions 1929, London: Board of Education, 1930.
Collection
Accession number
E.263-1929

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Record createdJune 30, 2009
Record URL
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