{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O347443"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O347443/"}},"images":null,"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O347443","accessionNumber":"A.19-1911","objectType":"Roundel","titles":[{"title":"Figure with a shell","type":"generic title"}],"summaryDescription":"This is one of six roundels cast in plaster from sketches by Alfred Stevens (1817-1875) for carved walnut doors in Dorchester House, Park Lane. The walnut doors into which the panels are set are now in the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool.\r\nOn acquisition this group of sketch models was considered especially important as a record of the original working models produced by a sculptor. The plaster cast represent a stage in Steven's method of production: they include figure studies, designs for metalwork and ceilings, details of fireplaces, stoves, fenders, etc.\n\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 &amp; Co., Sheffield, where he produced award-winning designs for metalwork, majolica, terracotta ornaments and chimney-pieces. Perhaps 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. \r\nThe influence of the Italian Renaissance is evident in much of Steven's work, and is perhaps best reflected in the Wellington monument.\r\n\r\nDorchester House was a stately mansion in Park Lane built in 1853 by Robert Stayner Holford, a wealthy landowner, art collector, and a Member of Parliament. Alfred Stevens designed and executed the fittings for Dorchester House between 1863 and 1865. The mansion was demolished in 1929.\r\n","physicalDescription":"A female figure, nude to her waist and sitting on her heels, leans forward towards the right. In her hands she holds a shell as if pouring from it. A scarf extends accross her from her left shoulder to her right arm.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Stevens, Alfred George","id":"A8886"},"association":{"text":"designer","id":"x36960"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"plaster","id":"AAT14922"}],"techniques":[{"text":"casting","id":"AAT53104"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Plaster","categories":[{"text":"Reliefs","id":"THES49035"},{"text":"Sculpture","id":"THES48896"},{"text":"Architecture","id":"THES48993"},{"text":"Architectural fittings","id":"THES48994"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"SCP","id":"THES48600"},"images":[],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"003","id":"THES403222"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Roundel","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"England","id":"x28826"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"ca. 1863","earliest":"1858-01-01","latest":"1867-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[{"object":{"text":"A.17-1911","id":"O347445"},"association":"Ensemble"},{"object":{"text":"A.18-1911","id":"O347444"},"association":"Ensemble"},{"object":{"text":"A.20-1911","id":"O347442"},"association":"Ensemble"},{"object":{"text":"A.21-1911","id":"O347441"},"association":"Ensemble"},{"object":{"text":"A.19-1975","id":"O312643"},"association":"Ensemble"},{"object":{"text":"A.20-1975","id":"O312642"},"association":"Ensemble"},{"object":{"text":"A.21-1975","id":"O312641"},"association":"Ensemble"},{"object":{"text":"A.22-1975","id":"O312640"},"association":"Ensemble"},{"object":{"text":"A.16-1911","id":"O312110"},"association":"Ensemble"},{"object":{"text":"A.18-1975","id":"O312644"},"association":"Ensemble"}],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Diameter","value":"33.5","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.\n\nHistorical significance: On acquisition this group of sketch models was considered especially important as a record of the original working models produced by a sculptor. The plaster cast represent a stage in Steven's method of production: they include figure studies, designs for metalwork and ceilings, details of fireplaces, stoves, fenders, etc.","historicalContext":"This is one of six roundels cast in plaster from sketches by Alfred Stevens (1817-1875) for carved walnut doors in Dorchester House, Park Lane. The walnut doors into which the panels are set are now in the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool.","briefDescription":"Roundel, plaster cast, female figure with a shell, from a sketch by Alfred Stevens, English, ca. 1863","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, p. 396, cat. no. 635"},{"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":"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. 394, 5, cat. no. 632"},{"reference":{"text":"Handley-Read, Lavinia, <i>British Sculpture: 1850-1914</i>, London: E.C. Freeman, 1968.","id":"AUTH347944"},"details":"","free":""},{"reference":{"text":"Beattie, Susan. <i>Alfred Stevens 1817-1875</i>, London : Victoria and Albert Museum, 1975","id":"AUTH354504"},"details":"51","free":""}],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[{"text":"shell","id":"AAT11829"},{"text":"female figure","id":"x43298"}],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["A.19-1911"],"accessionNumberNum":"19","accessionNumberPrefix":"A","accessionYear":1911,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-11-13","recordCreationDate":"2009-06-24","availableToBook":false}}