Lot Essay
Lewis Nockalls Cottingham (1787-1847) A designer, architect and antiquarian, Cottingham was influential in the Gothic Revival of the early 19th century through his church restoration, publications and furniture designs. He designed gothic furniture for John Harrison of Snelston Hall, Derbyshire and his discovery of the mediaeval tiles in the Chapter House of Westminster Abbey helped create the revival of encaustic tiles by many firms in the Victorian era. Cottingham's influential publications include Working Drawings of Gothic Ornaments of 1824, and Plans, Elevations, Sections Details and Views of the Magnificent Chapel of King Henry the Seventh at Westminster Abbey of 1822-9. His collection of architectural fragments and casts is now in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.