Chimneypiece and Overmantel
ca. 1750 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
The combined chimney-piece and overmantel as a decorative unit was a feature of 16th-century interiors. During the 17th century such features were designed by architects. By the mid-18th century they had become a vehicle for elaborate assymetrical carving, often designed by the craftsmen who made them.
People
This chimney-piece was commissioned by the Reverend Gideon Murray for the drawing room of Winchester House, Putney. Murray acquired the house through his marriage into the Huguenot Montelieu family. His wife's great uncle, James Baudouin, a Huguenot refugee from Nîmes, France, settled in Putney in 1729, when he built or rebuilt Winchester House. It was bought by the Museum from Walter Rye, a former resident of Winchester House.
Materials & Making
The merging of the carved wooden overmantel with the marble fire surround is typical of Rococo interior decoration. Some carvers worked both in wood and marble, and it is probable that all the elements of this chimney-piece were designed and made in the same workshop.
The combined chimney-piece and overmantel as a decorative unit was a feature of 16th-century interiors. During the 17th century such features were designed by architects. By the mid-18th century they had become a vehicle for elaborate assymetrical carving, often designed by the craftsmen who made them.
People
This chimney-piece was commissioned by the Reverend Gideon Murray for the drawing room of Winchester House, Putney. Murray acquired the house through his marriage into the Huguenot Montelieu family. His wife's great uncle, James Baudouin, a Huguenot refugee from Nîmes, France, settled in Putney in 1729, when he built or rebuilt Winchester House. It was bought by the Museum from Walter Rye, a former resident of Winchester House.
Materials & Making
The merging of the carved wooden overmantel with the marble fire surround is typical of Rococo interior decoration. Some carvers worked both in wood and marble, and it is probable that all the elements of this chimney-piece were designed and made in the same workshop.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 3 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Pinewood, marble and mirror glass |
| Dimensions |
|
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
The tense, wiry scrolls and leaves are characteristic of English Rococo woodcarving. This distinctively English style of carving derived from the influential prints published by Matthias Lock and Henry Copland. The design of the chimneypiece and the overmantel as one unit is typical of the fully developed Rococo style in Britain.(27/03/2003) |
| Object history | Commissioned by the Reverend Gideon Murray for Winchester House, Putney, London. |
| Summary | Object Type The combined chimney-piece and overmantel as a decorative unit was a feature of 16th-century interiors. During the 17th century such features were designed by architects. By the mid-18th century they had become a vehicle for elaborate assymetrical carving, often designed by the craftsmen who made them. People This chimney-piece was commissioned by the Reverend Gideon Murray for the drawing room of Winchester House, Putney. Murray acquired the house through his marriage into the Huguenot Montelieu family. His wife's great uncle, James Baudouin, a Huguenot refugee from Nîmes, France, settled in Putney in 1729, when he built or rebuilt Winchester House. It was bought by the Museum from Walter Rye, a former resident of Winchester House. Materials & Making The merging of the carved wooden overmantel with the marble fire surround is typical of Rococo interior decoration. Some carvers worked both in wood and marble, and it is probable that all the elements of this chimney-piece were designed and made in the same workshop. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 738:1 to 3-1897 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
