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It is hard to overstate the importance of this chimneypiece. Carved in a fine-grained limestone around 1750 by the most successful architect of 18th century Britain, it is a rare relic of a body of work that has otherwise been lost to time. The research undertaken suggests this grand chimneypiece was once in the dining room of 36 Lincoln’s Inn, one of two grand houses designed by the architect on this street. This building was demolished in 1859, whilst number 35 was lost in the blitz.
The design of this chimneypiece would have perfectly suited a dining room, impressive in scale, with Bacchus at the centre and grapevines carved in high relief along the frieze and jambs. In the Survey of London in 1912 there is a record for a remarkably similar stone chimneypiece of this style in the basement of 35 Lincoln’s Inn, having been moved from the principal room when the building was reconfigured for office use. As the properties were designed as a pair, it is conceivable, and indeed extremely likely that these chimneypieces were too.
Few recognise the name of this great architect despite the fame and wealth he enjoyed during his lifetime - which surpassed that of his peers we so revere today - figures such as Robert Adam, Sir John Soane and William Kent. With the recent scholarship of architectural historians such as Marcus Binney and Christopher Hussey, Robert Taylor and his work has come into focus once more.
Robert Taylor came to architecture from sculpture. This is evident in his work which was so full of life, and a departure from the stark Palladianism which had gripped Britain in the decades before him. An apprentice of Henry Cheere, who held positions such as the Sculptor of Oxford University and Carver for Westminster Abbey during his long career, his understanding of the Rococo would have been learnt from his master, who had embraced the lightness of the style in a number of funerary monuments and indeed chimneypieces commissioned across England.
Taylor was born into his career, as his father was a stonemason who sponsored his son from a young age. His father funded his apprenticeship to Cheere, and also a trip to Rome, but sadly died soon after, forcing his son to return to London, penniless and seeking a career in stone carving. He did just that, and flourished within not only monumental masonry, but as an architect, working on projects such as the Bank of England and stately homes; he was also appointed architect of the King’s Works in 1769. His style developed from his sculpture into architecture, where he introduced a light, organic quality that he had learnt from Cheere during his education in stone.
The English Rococo style was merely a fleeting moment in Georgian England, perhaps due to the great marketing prowess of the Adam Brothers, who built and filled homes of varying status with their interpretation of neo-classicism. This popular new style proliferated through their design treatise, entitled, ‘Works in Architecture’, published over three volumes, cementing the brothers as the tastemakers of Georgian Britain. Taylor published no such volume, and instead sought commissions that were financially rewarding. This was starkly opposed to the Adam brother’s enthusiasm for grand redevelopment projects and large bank loans, which would ultimately lead to their demise.
Ultimately, Taylor’s practice was so successful that on his death, he left an estate of £180,000 — in contrast, William Kent left £10,000, James Gibbs £25,000, and Christopher Wren £50,000. Sadly, much of his architectural output is now lost, destroyed as a result of WWII bombings, demolition and redevelopment. As a result, his name faded into relative obscurity in the years following his death, and his legacy and reputation has only come to light in recent years.
If you wish to read more about this spectacular chimneypiece and its designer, please send us an email and we would be delighted to send you the relevant publication.
View our section showing full range of neo-classical chimneypieces
|
Width |
Height |
Depth |
| External |
88 5⁄8"
225 cms |
67 11⁄16"
172 cms |
11 13⁄16"
30 cms |
| Internal |
61 5⁄8"
156.5 cms |
50"
127 cms |
|