CIRCA 1740

Newhailes, a Palladian villa at Musselburgh, near Edinburgh, is 'one of the most elaborately decorated and carefully thought-out rococo interiors in Scotland' (Valerie Horrocks, Newhailes, Edinburgh, 2004, p. 30). Designed by James Smith (d. 1731) in 1686 as his family home, the architect was described by Colen Campbell in his Vitruvius Britannicus (1717) as 'the most experienced architect' in Scotland, Newhailes was home from 1709 to the Dalrymple family, an influential dynasty of lawyers and politicians (ibid., p. 6). The scallop shell motif, which in the present example is an actual shell, prominently displayed at the apex of this giltwood tabernacle mirror that is in the manner of James Gibbs (d. 1754), despite being recurrent in rococo ornamentation features to such an extent at Newhailes that it is 'remarkable' (ibid. p. 30). The shell motif appears in elaborate stucco mouldings by the renowned craftsman, Thomas Clayton, in friezes, on overmantels and above door frames. In the 'great dining room', four family portraits including those of Sir James Dalrymple, 2nd Baronet of Hailes (inherited in 1721) and his spouse, Lady Christian, painted respectively by Allan Ramsay and William Aikman, during whose tenure the present example was possibly acquired, are inset into the original late 17th century panelling, the framework being embellished by the insertion of real shells at the corners in a manner that is unique to Newhailes. Shell ornamentation also extends to the ormolu door handles of the 'Great Appartment', and as in this example on giltwood frames. The adoption of this motif by the family may be due to Musselburgh's proximity to the sea and because it was renowned for the shell banks which gave the town its name. Although it is not possible to identify from which room the present example may have originated certain rooms such as 'The Drawing Room' were intended to accommodate pier mirrors. This room, which is a withdrawing room leading off a dining room, is of an innovatively long rectangular shape with an arrangement of classically balanced triple windows with matching piers for pier mirrors. There are a number of other elaborate giltwood tabernacle pier mirrors with central scallop shell motifs still in situ at Newhailes today.