lamp

William Keeling

Summary

Two black basalt oval boat-shaped lamps each rising to narrow platform, at one end a narrow spout for a wick, modelled handle at opposite end in the form of seated neo-classical woman holding an open book on her lap. Relief-moulded tongue pattern to upper surface, rising to narrow oval neck between figure's outstretched legs, shallow domed oval cover with relief-moulded anthemion and palmettes and ball knop. Lower body of lamp relief-moulded with oak border at shoulder, above alternating stiff acanthus leaves and stems of trumpet-shaped flowers, radiating outward from top of foot. Spreading foot with radiating tongue border beneath flower-and-tongue moulded flange. Square plinth with chamfered corners and concave sides, moulded with anthemion, rosettes and cable border.

Display Label

Grand Tour and Grand Style The Influence of Travel Improvements in European travel during the 1700s had a wide-ranging impact on British culture. A particularly significant influence was the Grand Tour, which became almost obligatory for young gentlemen. Grand Tourists were led across Europe by tutors to study art, history and politics for two or three years. The Grand Tour focused on Italy, particularly Rome, and often incorporated new archaeological sites such as those at Herculaneum and Pompei, near Naples. Ancient antiquities were heavily trafficked across Europe and continental works of art flooded into Britain. A period of especially active collecting took place between the end of the Seven Years War in 1763 and the rise of Napoleon in the 1790s. As more artists and designers also visited the continent their work became increasingly informed by travel. The serious themes of classical antiquity and European art led to a new departure in painting called the Grand Style. This championed classical, historical or literary subjects, and inspired radical changes in portraiture and landscape. Widespread interest in Greek and Roman remains also fostered fresh interpretations of ancient designs by pioneers of decorative art such as Josiah Wedgwood.