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Design for an armchair from; 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, Upholserer Carver & Cabinet Maker. Selected from his Portfolios at his Decease, by C. H. Tatham Architect. AD 1800.

Drawing
ca.1768-1770 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This presentation design for an armchair demonstrates John Linnell’s incorporation of neoclassical forms within his furniture designs. The neoclassical style was becoming popular towards the end of the 18th century and was inspired by the art and design of Classical Greece and Rome. Features of this design such as the Vitruvian scroll on the chair seat rail and the paterae at the top of the chair legs are examples of the types of decoration that Linnell was using.

Chairs such as these could have been placed in the important state rooms of the house such as the drawing room. The emphasis upon the upholstery attests to the importance placed upon comfort and convenience during the latter half of the 18th century. The blue patterned watercolour suggests that this chair would have been upholstered with a blue damask material while the wooden chair frame and legs would have been gilded. Interestingly, two different patterns of upholstery are shown in this piece.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleDesign for an armchair from; 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, Upholserer Carver & Cabinet Maker. Selected from his Portfolios at his Decease, by C. H. Tatham Architect. AD 1800. (series title)
Materials and techniques
pencil, pen and yellow and blue watercolour
Brief description
Design for an armchair in pencil, pen, blue and yellow wash from a volume of designs for furniture, interior decoration and architectural fittings, by John Linnell, Great Britain, ca.1768-1770
Physical description
A design for an armchair in pencil, pen and blue and yellow watercolour in the neoclassical style. The crest rail of the chair contains a portrait medallion. The chair legs are round and fluted, terminating at the bottom with what are possibly acanthus buds and terminating at the top with patera. The armrest supports and the front of the seat frame are curved. The seat frame is decorated with a vitruvian scroll. The upholstery is coloured with a blue, patterned fabric and the carved wooden chair frame is coloured with a yellow wash. One of a set of designs for furniture, including chairs and state beds, interior decoration, including pier glasses, and architectural fittings including chimney pieces and doors. In a volume.
Dimensions
  • Volume height: 23cm
  • Volume width: 15.2cm
Style
Marks and inscriptions
'No.2'
Subjects depicted
Summary
This presentation design for an armchair demonstrates John Linnell’s incorporation of neoclassical forms within his furniture designs. The neoclassical style was becoming popular towards the end of the 18th century and was inspired by the art and design of Classical Greece and Rome. Features of this design such as the Vitruvian scroll on the chair seat rail and the paterae at the top of the chair legs are examples of the types of decoration that Linnell was using.

Chairs such as these could have been placed in the important state rooms of the house such as the drawing room. The emphasis upon the upholstery attests to the importance placed upon comfort and convenience during the latter half of the 18th century. The blue patterned watercolour suggests that this chair would have been upholstered with a blue damask material while the wooden chair frame and legs would have been gilded. Interestingly, two different patterns of upholstery are shown in this piece.
Bibliographic references
  • Victoria and Albert Museum, Department of Engraving, Illustration and Design and Department of Paintings, Accessions 1929, London: Board of Education, 1930.
  • Hayward, H. and Kirkham, P. William and John Linnell Eighteenth Century London Furniture Makers, London; Studio Vista, Christie’s (1980)
Collection
Accession number
E.73-1929

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Record createdJune 30, 2009
Record URL
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