Art Funded by you

Set of drawing instruments belonging to John Wood, architect

Thomas Heath, 1740-1750

This extremely high-quality set of 18th-century drawing instruments belonged to John Wood the Elder (1704-1754), the architect responsible for the aesthetics and plan of Georgian Bath. Wood was born near Bath and trained as a joiner. After working on buildings in London and Yorkshire he returned to Bath in 1827 as a self-educated architect. He then embarked on a series of developments that introduced the Palladian style to the city, as well as establishing the model for terraced houses built to have the appearance of a single palatial facade. WoodÂ’s creative genius can best be seen in the sequence of buildings that progress from Queen Square to The Circus, where he was joined in his work by his son, John Wood the Younger (1728-82). The sequence culminates in the Royal Crescent, designed by John Wood the Younger to his fatherÂ’s original concept. This magnificent achievement in town planning and design is now celebrated across the globe, a fact reflected in BathÂ’s designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. John WoodÂ’s instruments were made in London by Thomas Heath, now recognised as one of the foremost British makers of mathematical and scientific instruments in the 18th century. The set includes a particularly fine ivory sector rule with silver mounts, two pens and a mounted pencil. John WoodÂ’s coat of arms is engraved on the lid of the case and the base is engraved with his name. WoodÂ’s drawing instruments will now be exhibited alongside his books and portrait in the Museum of Bath Architecture, an institution which records the building of Georgian Bath and promotes the understanding of its architectural heritage.

More information

Title of artwork, date

Set of drawing instruments belonging to John Wood, architect, 1740-1750

Date supported

2016

Medium and material

Silver and fish-skin case containing silver, steel and ivory instruments

Dimensions

13 × 6.7 × 2.1cm

Grant

10080

Total cost

26040

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 It may contain inaccurate information or outdated language.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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