Plate 54: Closed Temple, from "A New Book of Chinese Designs"
Etched and published by Matthias Darly British
Artist and publisher George Edwards British
Not on view
Plate 54 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 a design for a temple, made up of a central chamber framed by two columns and an arch with panels of marble and semi-abstract patterns, with closed curtains, flanked to the sides by two chambers with fences with rectangular landscapes with panels, and with open windows framed by arched structures with panels of marble. Above each of these chambers is a terrace, fenced with rails with geometric patterns, containing vases of different sorts. On the center, a scrolling ceiling is flanked above by a third chamber, and another one is on top of it. The ceiling of the upper chamber is flanked by a flag.
