Plate 67: Girandoles, from "A New Book of Chinese Designs"

Plate 67 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 three designs for girandoles. The first one consists of a platform with a thin rail with hexagons and rectangles, on top of a base with scrolling motifs, on which stands a large vase with one handle; the back is made up of an arch, flanked to the sides by two columns, interlaced by serpents, and a pointed ceiling with four scrolling tips with hanging bells. The second girandole consists of a base with scrolling leaves, upon which stands a long vase and a pot with leaves; the back has an arch with a human figure, flanked to the sides by two columns, and above by a pointed ceiling with three scrolling tips with hanging bells. The third girandole is made up of a base with rails with geometric designs, on top of a bundle of scrolling leaves, with a canopy on top: the back has a cartouche with marble, and the ceiling consists of a stylized shell shape, flanked above by a small canopy.