Plate 112: Two Alcoves, from "A New Book of Chinese Designs"

Plate 112 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 alcoves. The first alcove stands on top of a staircase, fenced by rails with geometric patterns, and with a back wall with marble panels and an oval landscape. Against the wall is a long chair with a roundel with illustrations of flowers (?), framed by scrolling motifs. Four columns hold the canopy of the alcove, which has scrolling points and two bells hanging from the sides. Above it are small trees and two sculptures of Chinese men.

The second alcove is fenced by rails with geometric designs and has a thin wall on the back, with an octagonal panel of marble, with a bench standing against it. Three columns with bundles of leaves as capitals stand on either side of the alcove, flanked by large scrolling motifs on which stand two dragons. The ceiling of the alcove has three levels, and the canopies all have scrolling tips with bells hanging from them.