Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
British Galleries, Room 53a

Girandole

1760-1765 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
'Girandole' is an Italian name for a wall light. Wooden wall lights were introduced in the late 17th century and were common by the mid-18th century. The Rococo style gave free reign to the carver's invention.

Design & Designing
This design incorporates a miller with a bag of flour descending a ladder from the upper floor of the windmill. The two candle branches grow out of trees. A contemporary pair of girandoles, based on the same design, were supplied to Hagley Park, Worcestershire, and are now in the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Materials & Making
The carving is contemporary to Thomas Johnson's One Hundred and Fifty New Designs, published between 1758 and 1761. The nozzles of the candle branches would originally have been made in metal, so the present wooden nozzles must be later replacements. The surface has been re-gessoed and gilded. Some traces of early gilding on red bole (a reddish-coloured clay used in gilding) are visible. The donkey's coat is very smooth and has subsequently been oil gilded. The old holes for the original fixings to the wall are visible on the back.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Pine, with water gilding and oil gilding
Brief description
Girandole, English, 1760-1765, giltwood, designed by Thomas Johnson
Physical description
Carved and gilt wood girandole. Formed as a windmill with high gabled roof and four sails. In the front, two openings with Gothic trefoil heads. Against the upper of these is placed a ladder, up which climbs a miller holding a sack on his back. The mill stands on a ruined arch with plants growing between the staves; in front of this stands the miller's donkey. The whole is supported as a bracket carved with rococo scrolls. There are two candle branches with dip trays
Dimensions
  • Approx. height: 86cm
  • Approx. width: 59cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 01/01/1998 by KN
Marks and inscriptions
Label on reverse 'Chippendale bracket man & donkey bought by me Aug 1909 the property of Florence Grorden'
Gallery label
  • GIRANDOLE ENGLISH; about 1760 Gilded wood Based on a design in Thomas Johnson's One Hundred and Fifty New Designs (1758-1761).(pre October 2000)
  • British Galleries: Like many Rococo carvings, this design is strongly asymmetrical. It combines a rural scene with abstract Rococo ornament. The carver based his design on a print by Thomas Johnson (1714-1788), a carver, designer and drawing master.(27/03/2003)
Object history
Based on a design published in Thomas Johnson's '150 New Designs' (1758-1761).
Probably carved in London.
Summary
Object Type
'Girandole' is an Italian name for a wall light. Wooden wall lights were introduced in the late 17th century and were common by the mid-18th century. The Rococo style gave free reign to the carver's invention.

Design & Designing
This design incorporates a miller with a bag of flour descending a ladder from the upper floor of the windmill. The two candle branches grow out of trees. A contemporary pair of girandoles, based on the same design, were supplied to Hagley Park, Worcestershire, and are now in the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Materials & Making
The carving is contemporary to Thomas Johnson's One Hundred and Fifty New Designs, published between 1758 and 1761. The nozzles of the candle branches would originally have been made in metal, so the present wooden nozzles must be later replacements. The surface has been re-gessoed and gilded. Some traces of early gilding on red bole (a reddish-coloured clay used in gilding) are visible. The donkey's coat is very smooth and has subsequently been oil gilded. The old holes for the original fixings to the wall are visible on the back.
Collection
Accession number
W.48-1952

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

Record createdFebruary 16, 2001
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest