Plate 41: Doors, from "A New Book of Chinese Designs"
Etched and published by Matthias Darly British
Artist and publisher George Edwards British
Not on view
Plate 41 of 'A New Book of Chinese Designs', consisting of a title page, index, and 120 plates, etched and published in 1754 by the British caricaturist, printseller and ornamental engraver Matthew Darly, in collaboration with George Edwards. The book consists of a variety of ornamental and costume designs of Chinese inspiration, some of them copies of the original works (including the title).
This plate consists of two designs for doors of rectangular shape. The first, on the left, has a base with steps, flanked by a column that holds a vase, from which groups of C-scrolls emerge to form the arch of the door and a sort of cartouche with a panel of marble above it. Flanking it on the top is another frame made up of scrolling motifs, enclosing a geometric pattern of octagons and rectangles. From the corner hangs a small bell.
The second door, on the right, consists of a simpler version of the first foor, without the marble, and with a simpler shape. Flanking the arch of the door is a bundle of scrolling leaves with a vase standing on it, enclosing a cartouche with scrolling motifs, and at the side of which hangs a small bell.
