Mould
ca. 1820 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This mould is decorated with the palmette motif, a fan-shaped, stylised rendering of a palm leaf. The actual plaster ornament was produced by pressing 'composition' into the mould.
Design & Designing
Such motifs were frequently used in ancient Greek and Roman art and architecture. They were revived in Europe from the Renaissance onwards and became especially popular in 18th-century Neo-classical decorative schemes.
Materials & Making
The mould was made by a specialist carver for firms making composition ornament. Boxwood is very hard and can take a great deal of detailed carving. Its hardness also makes it robust, necessary for a mould such as this which has been reused countless times.
Composition ('comp' for short) is a type of paste or putty made from glue, rosin (resin), linseed oil and whiting (chalk). It was pressed into the oiled mould and squeezed in a screw press. The pressing was removed from the mould while still flexible and applied to a backing.
Time
Moulds of this kind were used widely from about 1780 until about 1900. The use of moulds to make plaster reproductions reduced the demand for ornamental carvings in wood. After about 1850 the manufacturing process became more mechanised, though moulds continued to be used.
People
The mould was part of a collection owned by George Jackson & Sons, Ltd, a firm founded by George Jackson (1756-1840).
This mould is decorated with the palmette motif, a fan-shaped, stylised rendering of a palm leaf. The actual plaster ornament was produced by pressing 'composition' into the mould.
Design & Designing
Such motifs were frequently used in ancient Greek and Roman art and architecture. They were revived in Europe from the Renaissance onwards and became especially popular in 18th-century Neo-classical decorative schemes.
Materials & Making
The mould was made by a specialist carver for firms making composition ornament. Boxwood is very hard and can take a great deal of detailed carving. Its hardness also makes it robust, necessary for a mould such as this which has been reused countless times.
Composition ('comp' for short) is a type of paste or putty made from glue, rosin (resin), linseed oil and whiting (chalk). It was pressed into the oiled mould and squeezed in a screw press. The pressing was removed from the mould while still flexible and applied to a backing.
Time
Moulds of this kind were used widely from about 1780 until about 1900. The use of moulds to make plaster reproductions reduced the demand for ornamental carvings in wood. After about 1850 the manufacturing process became more mechanised, though moulds continued to be used.
People
The mould was part of a collection owned by George Jackson & Sons, Ltd, a firm founded by George Jackson (1756-1840).
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Carved boxwood |
| Brief description | Boxwood mould for plasterwork, 19th century, English (George Jackson & Sons Ltd. collection) |
| Physical description | Carved boxwood mould with a decorative design |
| Dimensions |
|
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
These moulds are not original to Jackson and Sons, but were part of a very large collection of moulds held by that company. They were offered to the Museum when Jacksons was taken over by Clark & Fenn in 1988.(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | Given by Clark and Fenn Ltd. |
| Object history | Made by an unknown maker |
| Summary | Object Type This mould is decorated with the palmette motif, a fan-shaped, stylised rendering of a palm leaf. The actual plaster ornament was produced by pressing 'composition' into the mould. Design & Designing Such motifs were frequently used in ancient Greek and Roman art and architecture. They were revived in Europe from the Renaissance onwards and became especially popular in 18th-century Neo-classical decorative schemes. Materials & Making The mould was made by a specialist carver for firms making composition ornament. Boxwood is very hard and can take a great deal of detailed carving. Its hardness also makes it robust, necessary for a mould such as this which has been reused countless times. Composition ('comp' for short) is a type of paste or putty made from glue, rosin (resin), linseed oil and whiting (chalk). It was pressed into the oiled mould and squeezed in a screw press. The pressing was removed from the mould while still flexible and applied to a backing. Time Moulds of this kind were used widely from about 1780 until about 1900. The use of moulds to make plaster reproductions reduced the demand for ornamental carvings in wood. After about 1850 the manufacturing process became more mechanised, though moulds continued to be used. People The mould was part of a collection owned by George Jackson & Sons, Ltd, a firm founded by George Jackson (1756-1840). |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.618-1989 |
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
