{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O754709"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O754709/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2020ML2490/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2020ML2490/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2020ML2490","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O754709/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O754709","accessionNumber":"E.59-1929","objectType":"Drawing","titles":[{"title":"Design For An Armchair From A Miscellaneous Collection of Original Designs, made, and for the most part executed, during an extensive Practice of many years in the first line of his Profession, by John Linnell, Upholsterer Carver & Cabinet Maker. Selected from his Portfolios at his Decease, by C. H. Tatham Architect. AD 1800.","type":"generic title"}],"summaryDescription":"This presentation design for a chair was produced in the late 18<sup>th</sup> century by the English furniture designer John Linnell. It takes the form of the ‘French elbow chair’ and displays both the general trend for French-inspired furniture and Linnell’s personal adoption of such forms. Chairs of this design were often made so that the upholstery could be removed and updated. They were frequently made from beech wood and could be carved and gilded. The design is contemporary with the rococo forms which were popular during this period. \n\r\nThe rococo style became popular in England around 1730 and can be identified by features such as elaborate S and C curved forms, naturalistic motifs and asymmetry. The rococo influence in this design is demonstrated in Linnell's use of the curved arm rails, the s-shaped curves at the front of the seat and the cabriole front legs. Cabriole legs are defined by their curved and tapered form and often have inward or outward scrolling feet. \n\r\nChairs like this were intended for use in domestic rooms, such as drawing rooms, which were enjoyed by the family as well as guests. The emphasis upon the upholstery attests to the increasing importance placed upon comfort and convenience during the latter half of the 18<sup>th</sup> century. In 1768, William Drake (a wealthy young man who inherited property in London and Buckinghamshire) ordered chairs of a similar design with sofas to match, possibly for his country house Shardeloes in Buckinghamshire. (Hayward, H. and Kirkham, P. William and John Linnell Eighteenth Century London Furniture Makers, London; Studio Vista, Christie’s (1980) p.78)\r\n","physicalDescription":"A design for an armchair in the style of a 'French elbow chair'.  The watercolour wash suggests that the chair would have been upholstered, possibly in blue damask. The back is cartouche-shaped and the chair legs are in the form of the cabriole shape. The wooden elements of the chair have been painted with yellow watercolour. This design is one of a set for  furniture, including chairs and state beds, interior decoration,  including pier glasses, and  architectural fittings including  chimney pieces and doors. In a volume.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Linnell, John","id":"A8617"},"association":{"text":"designers","id":"AAT25190"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"paper (fiber product)","id":"AAT14109"},{"text":"ink","id":"AAT15012"},{"text":"wash","id":"AAT11051"},{"text":"watercolour","id":"x33202"}],"techniques":[{"text":"drawing","id":"AAT54196"},{"text":"pencil","id":"x35357"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"pencil, pen and watercolour on paper","categories":[{"text":"Drawings","id":"THES48966"},{"text":"Furniture","id":"THES48948"},{"text":"Designs","id":"THES48968"}],"styles":[{"text":"rococo","id":"AAT21155"}],"collectionCode":{"text":"PDP","id":"THES48595"},"images":["2020ML2490"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"LVLE","id":"THES49657"},"free":"","case":"W","shelf":"8","box":"C1"}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"drawing","id":""}],[{"text":"designs","id":"AAT102051"}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Great Britain","id":"x32019"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"ca.1765-1770","earliest":"1760-01-01","latest":"1770-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":"Production date obtained from Hayward and Kirkham p.33"}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"24.4","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"20/04/2015","earliest":"2015-04-20","latest":"2015-04-20"},"part":"volume","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"18.7","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"20/04/2015","earliest":"2015-04-20","latest":"2015-04-20"},"part":"volume","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"'Plate 1.'","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":""}],"objectHistory":"","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Design for an armchair in pencil, pen, ink and watercolour on paper. From a volume of designs for furniture, interior decoration and architectural fittings, by John Linnell, Great Britain, ca.1765-1770","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"<u>Victoria and Albert Museum, Department of Engraving, Illustration and Design and Department of Paintings, Accessions 1929</u>, London: Board of Education, 1930."},{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Hayward, H. and Kirkham, P. William and John Linnell Eighteenth Century London Furniture Makers, London; Studio Vista, Christie’s (1980) p.78"}],"production":"Pencil, pen, ink and watercolour in yellow and blue on paper.","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[{"text":"upholstery","id":"AAT204905"},{"text":"cabriole","id":"AAT40831"},{"text":"","id":""}],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["E.59-1929"],"accessionNumberNum":"59","accessionNumberPrefix":"E","accessionYear":1929,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-04-24","recordCreationDate":"2009-06-30","availableToBook":false}}