Art Funded by you

Festoon mantlepiece

Alfred Stevens, Coalbrookdale Company, 1857–1859

Stevens was not only an accomplished designer but also a painter and sculptor who moved successfully from high art to industrial design. He was an anguished artist whose pedantic nature would not allow him to release a piece of work until he believed his vision had been realised. The result is a limited legacy of extremely high quality. From 1857 to 1860, Stevens was employed by the Coalbrookdale Company, responsible for pioneering work in the use of iron, to design objects for manufacture. The Festoon Mantelpiece, a successful example of the coming together of artist and manufacturer, is a magnificent piece of artistry. Industrially produced, it successfully epitomises the spirit of the age when modern manufactured goods were given false histories through the use of a traditional iconographic language.

More information

Title of artwork, date

Festoon mantlepiece, 1857–1859

Date supported

1996

Medium and material

Cast iron

Dimensions

134 x 165 cm

Grant

1750

Total cost

2800

Content note: This object record is part of our archive and has not been updated since it was first published. It may contain inaccurate information or outdated language. Please get in touch if you think this record should be amended.

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