Elevation of an organ for Sir Nathaniel Curzon, Bt.

Details

Robert Adam (Kirkcaldy 1728–1792 London)
Elevation of an organ for Sir Nathaniel Curzon, Bt.
signed and inscribed 'Robt Adam. Architect.' (lower left) and further inscribed 'Elevation of an Organ for Sir Nathaniel Curzon Baronet.' (upper centre) and further inscribed '1759/ Srikler 450'/ Harris - 50/ Spang- 130/ ag...3rd drawer/ from the top in Library Table' (verso), and annotated with scale (lower centre)
pen and black ink and ochre and grey wash
25 ¼ x 16 in. (60.4 x 40.7 cm.)

Sale Room Notice

Provenance:
Fifth Marquess of Bute; Sotheby's, 30 October 1950, lot 129.

Brought to you by

Harriet West

hwest@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2541

Lot Essay

Adam took over the design of Kedleston for Sir Nathaniel Curzon, Bt., later Lord Scarsdale, in April 1760, after it had been begun by Matthew Brettingham (1699-1769) and James Paine (1717-1789). Whilst Paine was responsible for the entrance façade, Adam designed the garden façade and the interior. The organ itself was made by an anonymous builder in the 1740s. It was sold secondhand to Lord Curzon in 1765 by John Snetzler, for whose new organ there was no space in the scaled down design for the house. The present elaborate design for the organ case was not realised, but rejected for a simpler, more restrained construction.

We are grateful to Stephen Astley for his help in preparing this catalogue entry.

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