32 Copper Urns

Details

Date

early 21st century

Author / Artist

Dimensions

92cm

Material

Copper

Catalogue number

SHPT.6.1-32

Current location

South Front

Related

Related history

32 copper urns copied from 1790s originals

Marine Venus

Details

Date

2023

Author / Artist

Cliveden Conservation

Dimensions

132cm high

Material

Jesmonite

Catalogue number

SHPT.11

Current location

Music Room

Related

Related history

After the Antique, Marine Venus, contemporary. The original Roman statue was excavated and brought back from the Baths of Caracalla in Rome by the 1st Duke of Buckingham and Chandos, while on his Grand Tour in 1827. Offered in the Stowe sale of 1848 (Lot 697) the piece was purchased on behalf of the Queen as a gift for Prince Albert. The piece remains in the Royal Collection at Osborne House. The copy was made by Cliveden Conservation having undertaken a 3D laser and photogrammetric scans of the original.

Pitt Amorial Plate

Details

Date

18th century

Author / Artist

Dimensions

45.5cm

Material

Porcelain

Catalogue number

SHPT.15

Current location

Museum

Famille rose armorial shallow dish, enammelled arms of Pitt impaling Grenville, supported by a lion and stag. With motto ‘Benigno Numine’. Literature: Ronald W Fuchs and David S Howard, Made in China: Export Porcelain from the Leo and Doris Hodroff Collection at Winterthur, 2005, p.80, no. 41.

Pair of Coaching Tables

Details

Date

1820s

Author / Artist

Dimensions

69cm by 48cm by 73cm high

Material

Wood, Mother of Pearl

Catalogue number

SHPT.17

Current location

Museum

George IV rosewood coaching tables, brass stringing to rectangular tops. Inset with a monogram of the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos beneath the ducal coronet in morther of pearl and brass. Turned folding legs.

Laocoon

Details

Date

2019

Author / Artist

Rupert Harris

Dimensions

134cm wide by 60cm deep by 220cm high

Material

Bronze

Catalogue number

SHPT.18

Current location

North Hall

Related

Related history

After the Antique, Laocoon, recast from the historic Stowe Laocoon, contemporary bronze, on a porphyry effect plinth. A replica, commissioned from Rupert Harris Conservation studio and foundry, of the early 19th century version that stood in North Hall, purchased by the 1st Duke of Buckingham and Chandos from the infamous Fonthill Abbey sale in 1823. The work was subsequently sold in the Stowe sale of 1848:
“…the truly grand bronze, by Carbonneaux, of the celebrated group of the Laocoön, the size of the original antique, from its merits and size, attracting great competition. It is one of the finest bronzes in the kingdom. On last Monday’s sale it was put up at 150 guineas, and the biddings quickly reached to 400… after much excitement, Mr. Hume secured it at the sum of 540 guineas. It is believed to be purchased for the Duke of Hamilton.” (Illustrated London News)
The bronze version was based on the original, marble statue that was believed to have stood in the Palace of Titus, attributed by Pliny the Elder, to the Rhodian sculptors Agesander, Athenodoros, and Polydorus. It was famously re-discovered in January 1506 buried, in the grounds of a vineyard in Rome and put on public display at the Vatican, where it remains. The statue depicts Laocoön, a priest of Troy, with his two sons Antiphantes and Thymbraeus, being crushed to death by sea serpents sent by the gods, after Laocoön attempts to expose the ruse of the Trojan horse by striking it with a spear, claiming, “I fear Greeks, even those bearing gifts”.

Mercury

Details

Date

2019

Author / Artist

Rupert Harris

Dimensions

286cm high

Material

Bronze

Catalogue number

SHPT.19

Current location

North Hall

A contemporary recast, on a grey composite fluted plinth, 286cm overall. Located in the North Hall, and replacing an earlier copy that can be seen in ‘Her Majesty’s Departure from Stowe House’ published in the Illustrated London News. Mercury is one of the most famous and most replicated works by Giambologna, emblem of Mannerist sculpture, conceived to be admired from every point of view. Mercury is resting with his left foot on the wind generated by the mouth of Zephyr, anticipating his ascent to the heavens. His heels are winged, he wears a winged helmet, and carries the caduceus. Giambologna’s Mercury dates back to 1580 when it was made for the Ferdinando de Medici’s Villa and was located in various places in the Villa Medici in Rome, until it was moved to the Uffizi in 1780. It was moved to the Bargello National Museum in 1865 where it remains.

Ceiling Painting by William Kent, featuring Viscount Cobham

Details

Date

1730s

Author / Artist

William Kent

Dimensions

300cm

Material

Canvas, Wood

Catalogue number

SHPT.20

Current location

North Hall

Viscount Cobham, receiving a sword from Mars, God of War, painted en grisaille in quadratura, against a faux mosaic background, tondo, together with a pair of rectangular panels, painted en suite, each with a putto amidst arms and armour. The design, suggested by the patron himself, references Viscount Cobham’s military commission. Promoted to lieutenant colonel in
February 1702, he was given his own regiment to command, and fought under John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough at the Battle of Venlo in September 1702 and at the Battle of Roermond in October 1702, during the War of the Spanish Succession. The design represents King William III looking on with favour from a portrait medallion.

Colza style Lanterns

Details

Date

2009

Author / Artist

Wilkinson

Dimensions

Height 160cm

Material

Gilt metal, Glass

Catalogue number

SHPT.21

Current location

Library

Gilt metal and glass Colza type lanterns, contemporary, the design envisioned by the architectural historian Jonathon Foyle, drew on two extant drawings of the Stowe library from the early 19th century. Dr Foyle made projective reconstruction patterns which were modelled and made by the chandelier manufacturers Wilkinson Ltd.

Collection of Framed Wallpapers

Details

Date

1770's

Author / Artist

Unknown

Dimensions

Various

Material

Wallpaper

Catalogue number

SHPT.22

Current location

Japan Room

Collection of framed wallpaper, late 18th century, with substantial repairs: House portrait (of Avington Park), within ribbon-tied branches, 160cm x 90cm; chinoiserie design with twisted branches and songbirds, 178cm x 104cm; related design laurel branch with a parrot and other birds, 140cm x 125cm; four related designs amongst branches, 260cm x 65cm; four narrow designs with birds amongst branches 260cm by 32cm.

Avington House near Winchester, Hampshire was redesigned in the late 18th century by the courtier James Brydges, 3rd Duke of Chandos. The estate then descended to the duke’s only surviving daughter, Lady Anne Elizabeth Brydges (1779-1835), who married Richard Temple-Grenville, 1st Duke of Buckingham and Chandos.

It is conceivable that the wallpaper was commissioned for Stowe, the house portrait ‘panel’ – which is presented tromp l’oeil as though a framed painting – being a reminder of lady Anne’s family home and noble lineage. However, it is popssible that the paper hangings were removed from Avington House and re-hung at Stowe. The designs are consistent with the prevailing fashion of the 1770’s and 1780’s. At that time the 3rd Duke was improving the house, gardens and parkland at Avington.

A pair of Kent urns

Details

Date

21st century

Author / Artist

Dimensions

120cm

Material

Portland cement

Catalogue number

SHPT.23

Current location

South Front

A pair of Kent style neo classical style urns, ovoid bowls with key pattern shoulders.