Untitled
James Gravenor (fl.1760 - 1770)
Category
Furniture
Date
circa 1765
Materials
Painted and gilt softwood, probably deal.
Place of origin
Kedleston Hall
Order this imageCollection
Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire
NT 108643
Summary
A pair of painted and parcel gilt pedestals, probably commissioned by Nathaniel Curzon, 1st Baron Scarsdale for the Dining Room at Kedleston. Made by James Gravenor (fl.1741-1768) in circa 1765, probably from a design by Robert Adam (London 1728 -1792) architect and designer.Each of ovoid form with a fluted and dentil collar and fluted frieze to the top of the column and raised on a plinth base with guilloche collar.Decoration refreshed.
Full description
A similar pair of pedestals (NT108644) of square form were billed by the Kedleston carpenters in 1765 for £1-4s-0d, this pair are most likely to be from the same workshop. Little is known of James Gravenor other than he led a team of craftsman with considerable talent, known solely in connection with their work at Kedleston for Nathaniel Curzon. They also carved columns, door cases and mirror frames for the Drawing Room and pier glasses with oak leafed frames and ornamental detail for an organ case for the Music Room. Gravenor was also responsible for the fine palm tree bed for the State Bedroom on the west front which he completed in 1768. The same theme is repeated in a pair of palm tree candle stands for a dressing table, some chairs and two pier glasses in the same room and a large palm tree mirror in the Dressing Room. Lord Curzon employed local craftsmen to make most of the furnishings and decorations at Kedleston to keep down the huge production and transport costs associated with London. James Weedon (May 2018)
Provenance
Probably commissioned by Nathaniel Curzon, 1st Baron Scarsdale for the dining room at Kedleston. Made by James Gravenor (fl.1741-1768) in 1765, from a design by Robert Adam (London 1728 -1792). Curzon Collection acquired by gift as part of the transfer of Kedleston Hall to The National Trust in 1986.
Makers and roles
James Gravenor (fl.1760 - 1770), carver James Gravenor (fl.1760 - 1770), cabinetmaker Robert Adam (Kirkcaldy 1728 - London 1792), architect Robert Adam (Kirkcaldy 1728 - London 1792), designer
References
Dictionary of British and Irish furniture makers online (1660-1840) FHS 2017