.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
拍品專文
This antique-fluted bench is designed in the 'Roman' manner, made fashionable in the early 1760s by the most celebrated architect-designer of the period, Robert Adam (d. 1792). Originally a set of three, the bench and companion pair were photographed in April 1915 by Country Life in a classical folly, the Island Temple, in the park at Croome Court, Worcestershire, the country seat of the Earls of Coventry (from circa 1751 until 1949) (10 April 1915, p. 487, 'Temple Seat on Island'). The folly, dated circa 1800, was reattributed to the architect and furniture designer, James Wyatt (d. 1813), by English Heritage having formerly been designated as either 'Capability' Brown or Adam, both of whom predated Wyatt at Croome as architect to George William Coventry, 6th Earl of Coventry (d. 1809). Wyatt like fellow architect, Sir William Chambers (d. 1796), believed Roman antiquities to be the principal source for classical architecture; he was also influenced by Renaissance ornament. The decorated stonework frieze of the Island Temple of foliate swags, ribbons, classical urns and rosettes relates to ornament found in other Wyatt commissions including the plasterwork frieze in the Saloon at Castle Coole, County Fermanagh (J.M. Robinson, James Wyatt Architect (1746-1813) to George III, 2011, p. 123, fig. 112).
Wyatt is known also to have designed furniture for the 6th Earl, and was undoubtedly responsible for designing the present bench, and companion pair for the folly; the benches represent the triclinium or three couches found in Roman dining rooms, and are arranged accordingly.
With its tapering pilaster legs capped by paterae tablets the bench is comparable to sideboard tables in the Dining Room at Wyatt's celebrated commission, Heaton Hall, Lancashire, and also to a design by Wyatt for a sideboard for no. 41 Grosvenor Square, London (ibid., p. 150, fig. 143).
The oval patera ornamentation on this bench is closely related to designs featured in Mrs. Coade's printed catalogue (1784); Wyatt, despite being unacknowledged in the catalogue, was one of the most prolific authors of designs for this publication (ibid., p. 128, fig. 120). Furthermore, the interior of the Island Temple also features Coade stone plaques that include the Aldobrandini Wedding supplied by Mrs. Coade in July 1778 (ibid., p. 129). 'Mrs. Coade and the Wyatts were closely involved from as early as 1771 with both James and Samuel Wyatt using Coade stone more extensively than other English architects throughout their career' (ibid.).
Wyatt is known also to have designed furniture for the 6th Earl, and was undoubtedly responsible for designing the present bench, and companion pair for the folly; the benches represent the triclinium or three couches found in Roman dining rooms, and are arranged accordingly.
With its tapering pilaster legs capped by paterae tablets the bench is comparable to sideboard tables in the Dining Room at Wyatt's celebrated commission, Heaton Hall, Lancashire, and also to a design by Wyatt for a sideboard for no. 41 Grosvenor Square, London (ibid., p. 150, fig. 143).
The oval patera ornamentation on this bench is closely related to designs featured in Mrs. Coade's printed catalogue (1784); Wyatt, despite being unacknowledged in the catalogue, was one of the most prolific authors of designs for this publication (ibid., p. 128, fig. 120). Furthermore, the interior of the Island Temple also features Coade stone plaques that include the Aldobrandini Wedding supplied by Mrs. Coade in July 1778 (ibid., p. 129). 'Mrs. Coade and the Wyatts were closely involved from as early as 1771 with both James and Samuel Wyatt using Coade stone more extensively than other English architects throughout their career' (ibid.).