The Nostell Priory Saloon Window Cornices, designed by Robert Adam (1728 - 1792) - 1772
Sefferin Nelson (1739 - 97)
Category
Fixtures and fittings
Date
27 Jun 1772 (invoiced) - 1779
Materials
Gilded softwood (?)
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Nostell Priory, West Yorkshire
NT 959744
Summary
A set of three carved giltwood window cornices, made for the Saloon at Nostell Priory in June 1772 by Sefferin Nelson (1739 - 1797), designed by Robert Adam (1728 - 1792). With a fluted, concave cornice topped by foliate finials and surmounted by three pedestals, all carved with patera and topped by an urn mounted with ram's masks and pendant husk garlands, an anthemion-pierced frieze below.
Full description
These spectacular window cornices are the finest at Nostell Priory. Until the discovery of additional correspondence at the end of the 1980s, it was thought that these were probably supplied by Chippendale in April 1778. Gilbert, for instance, notes 'the spectacular carved and gilt, pelmets in the saloon are not documented but could well be alluded to as 'the rest off the Ornaments' which 'Mr Chippendale's Men' set up in April 1778.' A bill headed 'Carving done for Sir Rowland Winn Bart 27 June 1772 per Sefferin Nelson' includes: 'To Carving three Curtain Cornices from design of Mr. Adam. The frieze cutt through with Honey Suckle in Bands and floroon between, the Cornice inrich'd. On Do [ditto] three pedestals with rich Vases inrich'd with Rams Heads & Drops of Husks, one in middle & each end of each with an ornament & band and floroon between. Gilding...£40 19 0. These cornices are important as they show how Adam recommended certain specialist craftsmen for particular items whilst Chippendale was responsible, in consultation with Adam, for other pieces. The Saloon, where these cornices are installed, was the principal state room on the central axis of the house. We know that the walls and the ceiling were painted in 1773, and the pictures and roundels over the doors in 1776, but the furniture did not arrive until 1785. It is interesting to note that whilst the rest of the furniture did not arrive until then, these window cornices were ready some thirteen years earlier. When they were installed is unclear. The cornices accompanied a pair of pier glasses and tables which still stand in the room, and which had been designed by Adam in 1775. The same bill includes the four urns on pedestals carved by Nelson for the Dining Room at Nostell (NT 959774.1 - .4). (Entry adapted by Megan Wheeler, February 2018)
Provenance
Purchased by Sir Rowland Winn, 5th Baronet, in 1772 and thence by descent until accepted by HM Treasury in lieu of death duties on the estate of Rowland Winn, 4th Baron Oswald (1916 - 1984), in 1986.
Makers and roles
Sefferin Nelson (1739 - 97), carver Robert Adam (Kirkcaldy 1728 - London 1792), designer Sefferin Nelson (1739 - 97), gilder
References
Gilbert, 1990: Christopher Gilbert. “New light on the furnishing of Nostell Priory.” Furniture History 26 (1990): 53 - 66, p. 58 and Figure 4 Gilbert (1978): Christopher Gilbert, The Life & Work of Thomas Chippendale (1978), 2 volumes., Vol. I, p. 173, Vol. II, Plate 523