{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O312658"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O312658/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AM5901/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AM5901/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AM5901","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O312658/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O312658","accessionNumber":"A.45-1911","objectType":"Finial","titles":[{"title":"Two dolphins","type":"named collection"}],"summaryDescription":"This is a model for the finial of a fire-dog designed by Stevens for Messrs Hoole & Co Ltd. The firedogs, which were cast in bronze or 'armour bright', are described as accompanying the 'Rape of Proserpine' fireback, which is one of Steven's best known compositions.\n\nArmstrong recorded that 'In his designs for fire-grates Stevens so happily combined bronzes, brass and steel that he gave those articles a place among the finest of modern decorative works...The whole of the work which he did for his Sheffield employers displays to perfection that union of grave with power, of beauty of line with depth and coherence of expression which should be the highest aim of the designer' [Armstrong 1881, p. 12].\n\r\nA sculptor, designer and painter, Alfred Stevens (1817/18- 1875) rejected contemporary distinctions between fine art and design. From 1850 to 1857 he was chief designer to Hoole & Co., Sheffield, where he produced award-winning designs for metalwork, majolica, terracotta ornaments and chimney-pieces. \r\nPerhaps his two greatest works were the decorations for the dining-room at Dorchester House, London (about 1856), for which he made countless drawings inspired by the Italian High Renaissance style, in particular the work of Michelangelo and the monument to the Duke of Wellington for St Paul's Cathedral, London, which was completed after his death. The two allegorical groups from this monument made a lasting impact on the New Sculpture movement. The influence of the Italian Renaissance is evident in much of Steven's work, and is perhaps best reflected in the Wellington monument.","physicalDescription":"Two dolphins intertwined; their tails, after forming loops, terminate in leafy foliage.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Stevens, Alfred George","id":"A8886"},"association":{"text":"designer","id":"x36960"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[{"name":{"text":"Hoole & Company","id":"A24521"},"association":{"text":"producer","id":"AAT197742"},"note":""}],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"plaster","id":"AAT14922"}],"techniques":[],"materialsAndTechniques":"Plaster cast","categories":[{"text":"Sculpture","id":"THES48896"},{"text":"Household objects","id":"THES48939"},{"text":"Plaster Cast","id":"THES270451"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"SCP","id":"THES48600"},"images":["2006AM5901"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"008","id":"THES404977"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Finial of a firedog","id":""}],[{"text":"Sketch model","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"England","id":"x28826"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"ca. 1855","earliest":"1850-01-01","latest":"1859-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"14.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"10.16","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"Purchased from Mrs Ada Gamble, London, together with a range of other objects by Stevens, for £175. Mrs Gamble was the widow of James Gamble, a pupil of Stevens, who had a large collection of designs and drawings by his former master.\r\n","historicalContext":"This is a model for the finial of a fire-dog designed by Stevens for Messrs Hoole & Co Ltd. The firedogs, which were cast in bronze or 'armour bright', are described as accompanying the 'Rape of Proserpine' fireback, which is one of Steven's best known compositions.","briefDescription":"Sketch model, for the finial of a firedog, plaster cast, two dolphins, designed by Alfred Stevens for Messrs Hoole & Co Ltd., English, ca. 1855","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Bilbey, Diane and Trusted, Marjorie. <u>British Sculpture 1470-2000. A Concise Catalogue of the Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum</u>. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 2002, pp. 369, 370, cat. no. 560"},{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"<u>Review of the Principal Acquisitions during  the year 1911</u>, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, published under the Authority of his Majesty's Stationery Office, pp. 6-7"},{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Armstrong, W., <u>Alfred Stevens. A biographical study</u>, London, 1881, p. 21, illus. p. 20"}],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[{"text":"dolphins","id":"AAT7937"},{"text":"foliage","id":"x42645"}],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["A.45-1911"],"accessionNumberNum":"45","accessionNumberPrefix":"A","accessionYear":1911,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-01-29","recordCreationDate":"2009-06-24","availableToBook":true}}