A
Anonymous
Guest
I'm interested in installing an original wooden painted Georgian fireplace in a Georgian flat I'm buying. Can anyone tell me how to identify it as correct period, rather than a later reproduction. Thanks.
A
Anonymous
Guest
Here's a photo of the item in question... Any advice gratefully received, thanks.
A
Anonymous
Guest
Without a written provenance, it's hard to tell from a fragment - which could be an Edwardian repro. That's my gut reaction to the bit I can see.
It may of course have been stolen from a building. it may have been removed illegally (as a fixture in a listed building) or it may simply have been removed by someone who has no sympathy for retaining the historic fabric pof a period building.
I'd make some serious inquiries of the vendor.
I'd also consider a decent repro.
It may of course have been stolen from a building. it may have been removed illegally (as a fixture in a listed building) or it may simply have been removed by someone who has no sympathy for retaining the historic fabric pof a period building.
I'd make some serious inquiries of the vendor.
I'd also consider a decent repro.
A
Anonymous
Guest
Thanks for your reply. The fireplace came from the De Havilland family estate, Aswick Manor house near St Albans, which has been developed into individual homes/apartments. I'm planning on buying it from the guy who removed it during the conversion. Here's a complete picture...Any use?
A
Anonymous
Guest
A
Anonymous
Guest
I guess that's it. Here's a link to the development:
http://www.frosts.co.uk/newhomes/astwickmanor/astwickdetail.htm
http://www.frosts.co.uk/newhomes/astwickmanor/astwickdetail.htm
A
Anonymous
Guest
So - which part did it come from, and was there permission to remove it? Listed Grade II.
Try the local authority CO.
Try the local authority CO.
A
Anonymous
Guest
I'll ask the dude in question. Thanks very much for your help...I'll keep you posted.
A
Anonymous
Guest
It doesnt look quite right to me. The cornice moulding in particular doesnt follow the normal rules of one of the classical orders in Roman or Greek architecture, as interpreted by the European architects and designers which 18thC joiners tended to follow quite carefully.
Chippendale's "Director", his book of furniture designs, starts off with very precise descriptions of the classical orders eg for Roman Doric (working downwards) cyma recta, square, quadrant, then scotia. There must have been similar reference works for other 18thC craftsmen.
After the anarchic eclecticism of the Victorian era classic revival pieces were often less precise, although following the Baroque and classical revival in the early 20th C many pieces were made in very precise Georgian style and can be mistaken for originals.
The construction of the piece many help date it. I am no expert in this area, but a visit to a good retailer of antique mantlepieces (eg Lassco in London) may give you some idea.
Chippendale's "Director", his book of furniture designs, starts off with very precise descriptions of the classical orders eg for Roman Doric (working downwards) cyma recta, square, quadrant, then scotia. There must have been similar reference works for other 18thC craftsmen.
After the anarchic eclecticism of the Victorian era classic revival pieces were often less precise, although following the Baroque and classical revival in the early 20th C many pieces were made in very precise Georgian style and can be mistaken for originals.
The construction of the piece many help date it. I am no expert in this area, but a visit to a good retailer of antique mantlepieces (eg Lassco in London) may give you some idea.
A
Anonymous
Guest
I agree - although a very decent and decorative piece, there is something not quite right for 18thc - and that's simply gut reaction. There are those in the Georgian Group who are experts on joinery. Dan Cruickshank and others have in the past published on such matters, and the Geo Group has literature avialable.
The mouldings - urn, swags etc - are very standard items, and although carefully done it doesn't immediately shout that this is the sort of individually designed piece which would have graced a not so humble main room in a house of such standing.
It may therefore have been designed for one of the later additions, and it would be worth trying to find out from where it actually came. It's worth finding out too if permission has been given for removal of a fixture and fitting - the whole building is Grade II Listed, and this chimneypiece is part of any listing.
It's very pleasing but if it isn't Georgian that should be reflected in the price, it's sad that it's been removed from its historic setting, and I'd be wary of purchasing anything that may have been removed illegally from any building.
http://www.georgiangroup.org.uk
The mouldings - urn, swags etc - are very standard items, and although carefully done it doesn't immediately shout that this is the sort of individually designed piece which would have graced a not so humble main room in a house of such standing.
It may therefore have been designed for one of the later additions, and it would be worth trying to find out from where it actually came. It's worth finding out too if permission has been given for removal of a fixture and fitting - the whole building is Grade II Listed, and this chimneypiece is part of any listing.
It's very pleasing but if it isn't Georgian that should be reflected in the price, it's sad that it's been removed from its historic setting, and I'd be wary of purchasing anything that may have been removed illegally from any building.
http://www.georgiangroup.org.uk
A
Anonymous
Guest
I think that it is an Edwardian surround, the proportions are not quite right and the detailing seems lacking somehow. Gut reaction .
Jocelyn
Jocelyn
A
Anonymous
Guest
B & Q?