Design
c.1998 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This design relates to a bench in the V&A’s collection (M.23-1998). The bench was commissioned from the Rural Development Commission and designed by their then forgework advisor, Paul Allen. It was made over several months during 1998 by a team of blacksmithing apprentices, many of whom signed the piece.
The bench was designed to display a variety of forgeworking techniques, both constructive and decorative, such as the double heeled tenon joints which form the end frames and the fire-welded flower motifs. The mild steel seat is decorated with repoussé and chased ornament and features the arms of the Ironmongers’ Company, including two salamanders, animals reputedly able to withstand fire unscathed.
This detailed design is a preparatory study for one of the heraldic salamanders that decorates the back panel of the bench.
Together with the other three designs relating to this project (E.809-2014, E.810-2014 and E.807-2014), these drawings show the design process for an object in the V&A’s collection and demonstrate the continuation of hand-drawn design.
The bench was designed to display a variety of forgeworking techniques, both constructive and decorative, such as the double heeled tenon joints which form the end frames and the fire-welded flower motifs. The mild steel seat is decorated with repoussé and chased ornament and features the arms of the Ironmongers’ Company, including two salamanders, animals reputedly able to withstand fire unscathed.
This detailed design is a preparatory study for one of the heraldic salamanders that decorates the back panel of the bench.
Together with the other three designs relating to this project (E.809-2014, E.810-2014 and E.807-2014), these drawings show the design process for an object in the V&A’s collection and demonstrate the continuation of hand-drawn design.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Pencil drawing on paper |
| Brief description | Design for a salamander to be used in an iron bench design, by Paul Allen, pencil on paper, c.1998 |
| Physical description | Design drawing for a salamander, pencil on paper. The salamader is positioned centrally and is intended to be viewed in portrait, standing on its hind legs. The artist's initials 'PCA' are inscribed on the amphibian's tail. The artist's mark, a pink ink stamp with the initials 'PA' either side of a sword, is visible in the bottom right corner. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | 'PCA'
Artist's mark, a pink ink stamp with the initials 'PA' either side of a sword. (Artist's initials, 'PCA' inscribed on the salamanders tail. The artist's mark (a pink ink stamp with the initials 'PA' either side of a sword) is visible in the bottom right corner.) |
| Credit line | Given by Paul Allen |
| Object history | This design relates to a bench in the V&A’s collection (M.23-1998). The bench was commissioned from the Rural Development Commission and designed by their then forgework advisor, Paul Allen. It was made over several months during 1998 by a team of blacksmithing apprentices, many of whom signed the piece. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This design relates to a bench in the V&A’s collection (M.23-1998). The bench was commissioned from the Rural Development Commission and designed by their then forgework advisor, Paul Allen. It was made over several months during 1998 by a team of blacksmithing apprentices, many of whom signed the piece. The bench was designed to display a variety of forgeworking techniques, both constructive and decorative, such as the double heeled tenon joints which form the end frames and the fire-welded flower motifs. The mild steel seat is decorated with repoussé and chased ornament and features the arms of the Ironmongers’ Company, including two salamanders, animals reputedly able to withstand fire unscathed. This detailed design is a preparatory study for one of the heraldic salamanders that decorates the back panel of the bench. Together with the other three designs relating to this project (E.809-2014, E.810-2014 and E.807-2014), these drawings show the design process for an object in the V&A’s collection and demonstrate the continuation of hand-drawn design. |
| Associated object | |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | E.810-2014 |
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| Record created | November 19, 2014 |
| Record URL |
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