Chimneypiece and Overmantel
1750-1753 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
The combined chimney-piece and overmantel as a decorative unit was a feature of 16th-century interiors. During the 17th century such features were designed by architects. By the mid-18th century they had become a vehicle for elaborate assymetrical carving, often designed by the craftsmen who made them.
People
This chimney-piece was commissioned by the Reverend Gideon Murray for the drawing room of Winchester House, Putney. Murray acquired the house through his marriage into the Huguenot Montelieu family. His wife's great uncle, James Baudouin, a Huguenot refugee from Nîmes, France, settled in Putney in 1729, when he built or rebuilt Winchester House. It was bought by the Museum from Walter Rye, a former resident of Winchester House.
Materials & Making
The merging of the carved wooden overmantel with the marble fire surround is typical of Rococo interior decoration. Some carvers worked both in wood and marble, and it is probable that all the elements of this chimney-piece were designed and made in the same workshop.
The combined chimney-piece and overmantel as a decorative unit was a feature of 16th-century interiors. During the 17th century such features were designed by architects. By the mid-18th century they had become a vehicle for elaborate assymetrical carving, often designed by the craftsmen who made them.
People
This chimney-piece was commissioned by the Reverend Gideon Murray for the drawing room of Winchester House, Putney. Murray acquired the house through his marriage into the Huguenot Montelieu family. His wife's great uncle, James Baudouin, a Huguenot refugee from Nîmes, France, settled in Putney in 1729, when he built or rebuilt Winchester House. It was bought by the Museum from Walter Rye, a former resident of Winchester House.
Materials & Making
The merging of the carved wooden overmantel with the marble fire surround is typical of Rococo interior decoration. Some carvers worked both in wood and marble, and it is probable that all the elements of this chimney-piece were designed and made in the same workshop.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 3 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Pinewood, marble and mirror glass |
| Brief description | Chimneypiece and overmantel, English 1750-1753, pine, marble, and glass, from Winchester House, Putney |
| Physical description | Description transcribed from department register: Mantelpiece of pine, the upper part is formed by a mirror consisting of one large central portion surrounded by various shaped pieces, the whole thing being contained by an elaborate openwork frame carved with two columns, many scrolling bands enriched with leaves and rococo ornament, and festoons of fruit at the upper corners. The lintel and joints of the fireplace are carved in a similar manner, and the marble slips are plain, except that the cross-piece has a scrolled lower edge. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label |
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| Object history | Commissioned by the Reverend Gideon Murray for Winchester House, Putney, London. |
| Summary | Object Type The combined chimney-piece and overmantel as a decorative unit was a feature of 16th-century interiors. During the 17th century such features were designed by architects. By the mid-18th century they had become a vehicle for elaborate assymetrical carving, often designed by the craftsmen who made them. People This chimney-piece was commissioned by the Reverend Gideon Murray for the drawing room of Winchester House, Putney. Murray acquired the house through his marriage into the Huguenot Montelieu family. His wife's great uncle, James Baudouin, a Huguenot refugee from Nîmes, France, settled in Putney in 1729, when he built or rebuilt Winchester House. It was bought by the Museum from Walter Rye, a former resident of Winchester House. Materials & Making The merging of the carved wooden overmantel with the marble fire surround is typical of Rococo interior decoration. Some carvers worked both in wood and marble, and it is probable that all the elements of this chimney-piece were designed and made in the same workshop. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 738:1 to 3-1897 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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