Plate 27: Candlestands, from "A New Book of Chinese Designs"
Etched and published by Matthias Darly British
Artist and publisher George Edwards British
Not on view
Plate number 27 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 candlestands. The first, on the left, consists of a Chinese architectural structure on a piece of land, with two rails with geometric motifs around it, and a Chinese man at the entrance, flanked to the side by a tree trunk and a tree. A bird is perched on the tree trunk, and the tree has round, stylized leaves at the ends of its branches. Another tree is perched on one of the branches. Bundles of round flowers or fruits surround the tree and the trunk, and two of them hang from the upper branches. Smaller bundles with tiny dots also surround the tree branches. On the highest round leaf is a small candlestick.
The second candlestand, on the right, consists of a double column with geometric designs, standing on a base with scrolling motifs, and flanked above by scrolling motifs, which form three bases upon which candles would stand.
