Plate 56: Bridge with turrets, from "A New Book of Chinese Designs"
Etched and published by Matthias Darly British
Artist and publisher George Edwards British
Not on view
Plate 56 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 bridge, made up of two columns of thin, squared bars, which extend to form an arch, upon which stands the body of the bridge, fenced by rails with geometric designs and panels of marble. On the sides are two canopies with thin ceilings with scrolling tips, flanked above by smaller versions of the canopies. The one on the left is open, and the one on the right is closed, and has two bells hanging from the ceiling at the sides. On the center is a squared panel with a dragon and scrolling motifs, flanked above by a small platform made up by rails forming a geometric pattern with a seated Buddha.
