Carving
ca. 1700-1720 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This mask is part of a large collection of architectural woodwork that was given to the Museum in 1921 by the architect Sir Charles Allom, of the decorating firm White Allom & Co., who specialised in interior decoration. Most of the items, including this one, came without any record of their previous history, but this piece was described as French in 1921 -- a view in line with current opinion -- so possibly Allom had acquired it in France. It must originally have formed part of an architectural setting, probably as part of a suite of room panelling. The mask appears to represent Apollo, the god of Music and Poetry, so it may have been used in a music room or a drawing room, devoted to the arts. Sir Charles Allom headed the firm of White Allom & Co. from 1893. They specialised in re-creating historic interiors and worked much in the USA as well as in Britain. The collection of carvings was given to the Museum in memory of their son, who died in the First World War.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Pine, carved and painted |
| Brief description | Architectural carving of a female head surrounded by drapery, in pinewood, painted white. Possibly from the centre of a chimneypiece |
| Physical description | Architectural carving of a female head surrounded by drapery, in pinewood, painted white. Possibly from the centre of a chimneypiece |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Sir Charles and Lady Allom in memory of their son, Lieutenant Cedric Allom RFA |
| Object history | Part of a large group of architectural woodwork (W.371-697-1921) presented by Sir Charles C. Allom, of White Allom & Co., in 1921. This piece said to be 'painted white' at the time it was acquired. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This mask is part of a large collection of architectural woodwork that was given to the Museum in 1921 by the architect Sir Charles Allom, of the decorating firm White Allom & Co., who specialised in interior decoration. Most of the items, including this one, came without any record of their previous history, but this piece was described as French in 1921 -- a view in line with current opinion -- so possibly Allom had acquired it in France. It must originally have formed part of an architectural setting, probably as part of a suite of room panelling. The mask appears to represent Apollo, the god of Music and Poetry, so it may have been used in a music room or a drawing room, devoted to the arts. Sir Charles Allom headed the firm of White Allom & Co. from 1893. They specialised in re-creating historic interiors and worked much in the USA as well as in Britain. The collection of carvings was given to the Museum in memory of their son, who died in the First World War. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.621-1921 |
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| Record created | September 1, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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