{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O320840"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O320840/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2018KP4416/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2018KP4416/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2018KP4416","copyright":"©Victoria & Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2018KP4415","copyright":"©Victoria & Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2018KP4417","copyright":"©Victoria & Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O320840/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O320840","accessionNumber":"W.48-1948","objectType":"Ceiling boss","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"","physicalDescription":"Octagonal, of inverted conical form with five tiers of muqarnas (a form of three-dimensional decoration developed in Islamic architecture in which rows or tiers of niche-like elements are projected over others below), and edge moulding around the top. A central octagonal shaft with through-mortice and a metal rod/collar extends above the boss (which would be invisible when the boss is suspended in situ.) The show surfaces bear extensive traces of gilding and white paint. At the tip is fastened an iron hook.\n\nThe body of the boss is created by numerous, precisely-cut wood pieces joined together, usually with nails and glue.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"pine","id":"AAT12620"}],"techniques":[{"text":"carving","id":"AAT53149"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Softwood, carved","categories":[{"text":"Woodwork","id":"THES48877"},{"text":"Architectural fittings","id":"THES48994"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"FWK","id":"THES48597"},"images":["2018KP4416","2018KP4415","2018KP4417"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"001","id":"THES343743"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Ceiling boss","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Spain","id":"x29170"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"ca. 1400-1600","earliest":"1395-01-01","latest":"1600-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by F. Surgey of Acton Surgey Ltd","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"114","unit":"cm","qualifier":"approx","date":{"text":"2018","earliest":"2018-01-01","latest":"2018-12-31"},"part":"","note":"measured during audit"},{"dimension":"Width","value":"68.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"approx","date":{"text":"2018","earliest":"2018-01-01","latest":"2018-12-31"},"part":"","note":"measured during audit"},{"dimension":"Width","value":"68.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"approx","date":{"text":"2018","earliest":"2018-01-01","latest":"2018-12-31"},"part":"","note":"measured during audit"}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"Given by F. Surgey. 'Ceiling boss, inverted conical form of octagonal plan. Carved pine traces of gilding and white paint. Five tiers of round arcading. In the centre at the top a vertical beam of polygonal form. At the tip, an iron hook.'\n\nActon Surgey purchased 'many years' before 1948 a half interest in a set of large ceiling bosses, thought to be 14th century, probably from Andalucia, Spain from 'the Spanish Art Gallery'. The set consisted of one castellated centre piece about 2 ft. 6 in. square; 6 pyramidal octagonal ceiling bosses with 8 tiers of blind gothic arcading, about 2 ft. high and very heavy; and four corner quadrants corresponding. Pine, gilt.\n\n<u>Notes taken from the museum's nominal file for Acton Surgey: </u>\n22/4/1948 F. Surgey to Ralph Edwards\r\n'Many years ago we purchased from the Spanish Art Gallery a half interest in a set of large ceiling bosses which Mr. Thomas Harris states are Hispano Arabe of the 14th century, which he thinks are extremely rare as few examples of this type of ceiling decoration are to be found outside the province of Andalucia, Spain. The bosses have been in stock at our warehouse since we acquired this interest and I would like to know if you think you would care to accept them as a gift to your Museum.'\r\n \r\n22/6/48 memo recording that Edwards inspected these 11 ceiling bosses in a factory at the far end of the Harrow Road ‘all of carved, and mostly of gilt, pine. All are offered as a gift. They consist of one castellated centre piece about 2 ft. 6 in. square; 6 pyramidal octagonal ceiling bosses with 8 tiers of blind gothic arcading, about 2 ft. high and very heavy; and four corner quadrants corresponding. They are now set on a ceiling beam… The gilding is much worn, condition dirty. We have nothing like them. They are rare in this country. I think there would be, on grounds of space alone, no case for accepting all, but that one of the pyramidal bosses would be desirable as a reference document of interior architectural woodwork.’ Asks whether Surgey would be ‘willing to break the set.’\r\n \r\n12 July Surgey writes saying that he sees no 'reason why one should not be separated as the set left would still form the features of a ceiling somewhat reduced in size.’ Will check that Mr Harris agrees. \r\n \r\n25/8/48 Surgey to W A Thorpe, requesting the loan of ‘two strong men at any time’ to help with moving one of the best bosses from their position at ceiling level as they are very heavy. Evidently stored at the White Allom Aircraft Lane[?] Factory, 843/7 Harrow Road. Delivered 9/9/1948\r\n \r\n6/11/1948 museum memo by LA (unidentified): ‘On reflection I think as we have spent all this money on [delivering] it we had better accept it and put it away: we should have to put the thing back on its’ beam. But it’s a disastrous object &amp; should never have been taken.’\r\n","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Ceiling boss, Spanish, ca. 1400-1600","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["W.48-1948"],"accessionNumberNum":"48","accessionNumberPrefix":"W","accessionYear":1948,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-06-11","recordCreationDate":"2009-06-24","availableToBook":false}}