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Chimneypiece - Chimneypiece

Chimneypiece

  • Object:

    Chimneypiece

  • Place of origin:

    London, England (made)

  • Date:

    ca. 1775 (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Chambers, William (Sir), born 1723 - died 1796 (designer)
    Wilton, Joseph, born 1722 - died 1803 (probably, carver)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Carrara marble

  • Credit Line:

    Purchased with the assistance of The Art Fund and the National Heritage Memorial Fund

  • Museum number:

    A.1:1-1998

  • Gallery location:

    British Galleries, room 118d, case 6

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Object Type
This marble chimney-piece was commissioned by Granville Leveson Gower, 2nd Earl Gower, for the Great Drawing Room at Gower House, Whitehall, London, and was carved to the design of the architect Sir William Chambers (1723-1796), probably by Chambers's friend, the sculptor Joseph Wilton (1722-1803). Gower House was begun around 1765, and the chimney-piece dates from a few years after this time. It was removed when Gower House was demolished in 1886 by Charles Robert Carrington, 3rd Baron (from 1895, 1st Earl) Carrington (1843-1928).

People
Sir William Chambers was one of the chief exponents of English Palladianism, and along with Robert Adam (1728-1792), one of the most important British architects of the second half of the 18th century. He was born in Sweden, and travelled to the Far East in his youth. He studied extensively in France and Italy. In 1756, soon after his return to London from the Continent, he was appointed architecture tutor to the Prince of Wales, later George III. In 1761 he became joint architect (with Robert Adam) to the Office of Works. He was a founder member and first Treasurer of the Royal Academy of Arts.

Provenance
The chimney-piece remained in Gower House after its installation in about 1775 until the house was destroyed in 1886. About ten years later it was taken to Daws Hill, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. Daws Hill was acquired by Wycombe Abbey School in 1929, which sold the chimney-piece at auction in 1995. The V&A purchased it three years later.

Place of Origin

London, England (made)

Date

ca. 1775 (made)

Artist/maker

Chambers, William (Sir), born 1723 - died 1796 (designer)
Wilton, Joseph, born 1722 - died 1803 (probably, carver)

Materials and Techniques

Carrara marble

Dimensions

Height: 190 cm, Width: 254 cm

Object history note

Commissioned by Granville Leveson Gower, 2nd Earl Gower (1721-1803) for the Great Drawing Room at Gower House, Whitehall, London. Around 1807 Gower House was sold to Robert Smith, 1st Baron Carrington (1752-1838), and the present piece was removed by Charles Robert Wynn-Carrington, 1st Earl Carrington (1843-1928), when the house was demolished in 1886. It was taken to Daws Hill, High Wycombe around 1895 where it remained until its sale in 1995. Daws Hill was acquired by Wycombe Abbey School in 1929, who sold the chimneypiece at Sotheby's, London sale held on 15 November 1995, lot 60. Purchased from the sale by Christopher Gibbs Ltd for 76,727.50. Purchased by the Museum from Christopher Gibbs in 1998 for 125,000 with the assistance of the National Art Collections Fund and the National Heritage Memorial Fund.

Descriptive line

Chimneypiece, marble, for Gower House - Whitehall, by Sir William Chambers, England, ca. 1765

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

Bilbey, Diane and Trusted, Marjorie. British Sculpture 1470-2000. A Concise Catalogue of the Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 2002, p. 60, cat.no. 82
Williamson, Paul, “Acquisition of Sculpture at the Victoria & Albert Museum, 1992-1999”, in: Burlington Magazine, Dec. 1999, CXLI, p. 787, fig. XV.

Labels and date

British Galleries:
The Neo-classical style of Sir William Chambers was characterised by stately sculptural forms. This chimney-piece, with its massive supporting terms (pillars with human heads), was the centrepiece of the Great Drawing Room designed by Chambers for Gower House, Whitehall, London, which was demolished in 1886. At the centre of the lintel is a portrait medallion of George III. [27/03/2003]

Production Note

Designed by William Chambers (born in Göteborg, Sweden, 1722/3, died in London, 1796); probably carved in London by Joseph Wilton (born in London, 1722, died there in 1803)

Materials

Marble

Categories

British Galleries; Architectural fittings

Collection code

SCP

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Qr_O79585
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