Plate 50: Alcove, from "A New Book of Chinese Designs"
Etched and published by Matthias Darly British
Artist and publisher George Edwards British
Not on view
Plate 50 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 alcove, with tiled floors and a platform on the center, with an oval landscape in the back, and surrounded by columns with rails of geometric patterns. To the sides, the rails extend to form two sorts of balconies, where pairs of people stand, chatting. The ceiling of the alcove is tiered, with pointed, scrolling edges with hanging bells.
