- 231
An English white statuary marble chimneypiece second quarter 19th century, designed by William Playfair
bidding is closed
Description
- 115.5cm. high, 6ft. 3in. wide overall and the aperture 92.5cm high, 99cm. wide; 3ft. 9½in. 6ft. 3in., 3ft ½in., 3ft 3in.
with a serpentine shelf and frieze, the canted jambs with foliate corbels above inverted tapering bell-flower pendants issuing from petal collars
Provenance
Commissioned by Sir James Henry Robert Innes Ker, 6th Duke of Roxburghe for the Drawing Room, Floors Castle Kelso, Roxburghshire;
Sold Christie's, Floors Castle, 17 September 1990, lot 152.
Catalogue Note
The present chimneypiece, conceived in the mid-18th century French style, was designed by the architect William Playfair (1790-1857) for the Drawing Room at Floors Castle. It is a simplified version of the 'Night' chimney piece with the same provenance, sold Christie's Floors Castle, 17 September 1990, lot 151, and reflects Playfair's interest in French architecture inspired by his visit to Paris in 1816.
William Henry Playfair, a younger son of James Playfair was born in Russell Place (Fitzroy Square), London and baptized in Fitzroy Chapel. Having studied under the tutelage of William Stark who died in 1813, tradition has it that he took employment in the offices of Wyatt and Smirke. Following a trip to France in 1816 with his uncle he returned to Edinburgh and won first prize in a competition for the completion of Adam's University building. This in turn no doubt led to his being given responsibility for the planning of Carlton Hill Estate to the north of Edinburgh. Playfair remained at the top of the Scottish architectural profession for the next thirty years gaining greatest acclaim for his public buildings such as the Royal Institution, the Surgeons Hall, the National Gallery and Donaldson's Hospital. These were all executed in the classical tradition of modern Athens but he was able to master a range of styles including Gothic and Jacobethan. His early houses were designed in the picturesque Italianate manner but by 1830 he adopted English and Scottish vernacular styles of the 16th and 17th centuries. Floors Castle represents his largest commission in this genre.
William Henry Playfair, a younger son of James Playfair was born in Russell Place (Fitzroy Square), London and baptized in Fitzroy Chapel. Having studied under the tutelage of William Stark who died in 1813, tradition has it that he took employment in the offices of Wyatt and Smirke. Following a trip to France in 1816 with his uncle he returned to Edinburgh and won first prize in a competition for the completion of Adam's University building. This in turn no doubt led to his being given responsibility for the planning of Carlton Hill Estate to the north of Edinburgh. Playfair remained at the top of the Scottish architectural profession for the next thirty years gaining greatest acclaim for his public buildings such as the Royal Institution, the Surgeons Hall, the National Gallery and Donaldson's Hospital. These were all executed in the classical tradition of modern Athens but he was able to master a range of styles including Gothic and Jacobethan. His early houses were designed in the picturesque Italianate manner but by 1830 he adopted English and Scottish vernacular styles of the 16th and 17th centuries. Floors Castle represents his largest commission in this genre.