The Nostell Priory Library Pier Glasses - 1767 - almost certainly designed by Robert Adam (1728 - 1792)
Joseph Rose II (1744-99)
Category
Mirrors
Date
circa 1767
Materials
Plaster, paint, gilt, glass
Measurements
201 x 89 cm
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Nostell Priory, West Yorkshire
NT 959725.1
Summary
A carved and parcel-gilt pier glass, one of a pair, English, probably designed by Robert Adam, and made by the plasterer and frame-maker Joseph Rose (1745 - 1799). The oval plate in a fluted and moulded plaster surround, topped by an elaborate cresting of foliate arabesques, and with a similar apron below. --
Full description
Part of the decoration of the library, and visible in the painting of Sir Rowland Winn, 5th Baronet and his wife Sabine, painted by Hugh Douglas Hamilton. Commissioned in 1767, the painting was to hang at the Winn's London property in St. James' Square, to show the stylish new alterations that Sir Rowland had undertaken in their country home. The library was the first room at Nostell designed by Adam; his drawings for it are dated 1766 and it was completed before the end of 1767, when the painting by Hamilton was commissioned. A drawing for a mirror frame – now lost – was sent to Nostell by Adam in June 1767, and there is a preliminary design showing laid out wall elevations in Robert Adam’s own hand, and datable to 1766. The decorative plasterwork frames were executed by Joseph Rose, as follows: 15ft 2in of frame to 2 Oval Glasses enrd veind leaves & tongue on Ogee & face fluted 4in - £1.2.9. No. 2 pieces of ornament at top 3ft by 1ft 6in 2 Ditto at Sides & bottom 2ft by 1ft 1 Patteras 11in diamr & molding round do Gee Veind leaf 4 Small Patteras & foliage husks 91/2 in by 4in - [for all of the above] £6.19.6 [Total: £1.2.9 + £6.19.6 - £7.21.15]. The mirrors were originally painted white. Joseph Rose senior, Joseph Rose junior, and Jonathan Rose, worked extensively with Robert Adam. (Entry adapted by Megan Wheeler, February 2018)
Provenance
Installed in the library in 1766 or 1767, thence by descent and accepted by HM Treasury in lieu of death duties on the estate of Rowland Winn, 4th Baron Oswald (1916 - 1984), 1986.
Makers and roles
Joseph Rose II (1744-99), plasterer