Plate 120: Irregular Rail & Hatch, from "A New Book of Chinese Designs"
Etched and published by Matthias Darly British
Artist and publisher George Edwards British
Not on view
Plate 120 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 an irregular rail with hatches. Two rails with different geometric patterns are linked together by two hatches, forming an obtuse angle that frames a large tree growing next to a rock, with long, hanging strips of leaves. The rock is surrounded by thin, long scrolling leaves and other vegetation. On the left, a bush grows around the rail, with small, stylized leaves.
