Plate 61: Glass Frame, from "A New Book of Chinese Designs"
Plate 61 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 a glass frame with stylized flowers, exotic animals, and scrolling leaves. On the lower part, on the center, is a gate formed by rails with geometric patterns. To the right is a tree with scrolling branches, flanked above by a column, interlaced by the neck and tail of a winged dragon and large scrolling motifs. To the left is a basket with fruits between two seated men, flanked above by a column interlaced by garlands of flowers and leaves. The upper part of the frame is made up of scrolling leaves and garlands of flowers and leaves, with a canopy on the center, with ceiling made up of scrolling leaves, two of them extending towards the sides and holding hanging bells. Two additional bells hang at the sides of the capital of the columns that form the base of the side panels of the frame. On the bottom, to the sides, are two small candles: one is on top of the head of one of the Chinese men holding the basket on the left; the other is on top of a scroll that is being hugged by the dragon's tail. The two designs presented on either side of the frame represent the alternatives for the design that could be chosen by the client.
This plate consists of a design for a glass frame with stylized flowers, exotic animals, and scrolling leaves. On the lower part, on the center, is a gate formed by rails with geometric patterns. To the right is a tree with scrolling branches, flanked above by a column, interlaced by the neck and tail of a winged dragon and large scrolling motifs. To the left is a basket with fruits between two seated men, flanked above by a column interlaced by garlands of flowers and leaves. The upper part of the frame is made up of scrolling leaves and garlands of flowers and leaves, with a canopy on the center, with ceiling made up of scrolling leaves, two of them extending towards the sides and holding hanging bells. Two additional bells hang at the sides of the capital of the columns that form the base of the side panels of the frame. On the bottom, to the sides, are two small candles: one is on top of the head of one of the Chinese men holding the basket on the left; the other is on top of a scroll that is being hugged by the dragon's tail. The two designs presented on either side of the frame represent the alternatives for the design that could be chosen by the client.
Artwork Details
- Title: Plate 61: Glass Frame, from "A New Book of Chinese Designs"
- Series/Portfolio: A New Book of Chinese Designs
- Artist and publisher: Etched and published by Matthias Darly (British, ca. 1720–1780 London)
- Artist and publisher: George Edwards (British, Stratford 1694–1773 Plaistow)
- Published in: London
- Date: 1754
- Medium: Etching and engraving
- Dimensions: Plate: 10 1/16 × 7 1/2 in. (25.6 × 19 cm)
Sheet: 11 1/2 × 9 3/16 in. (29.2 × 23.4 cm)
Book: 12 in. × 9 13/16 in. × 1 3/16 in. (30.5 × 25 × 3 cm) - Classifications: Books, Prints, Ornament & Architecture
- Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1931
- Object Number: 31.88(63)
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Multiple artists/makers
1754
Matthias Darly
Mary Darly
May 9, 1771
Matthias Darly
George Edwards
1754
Matthias Darly
George Edwards
1754
Matthias Darly
George Edwards
1754
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.