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Design for a Tablet for a Chimney-Piece with Two Swans in Combat, Enclosed within a Scrolling Cartouche with a Water-Spouting Dragon's Head

1762
Not on view
Thomas Johnson was an important master carver of Rococo ornament in London during the 1750s and 1760s. This design represents courting swans near crumbling masonry and is contained within a swooping frame adorned with leaves and a spouting dragon. It comes from a suite of six engraved designs for ornamental tablets intended to adorn the center of mantelpieces.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Design for a Tablet for a Chimney-Piece with Two Swans in Combat, Enclosed within a Scrolling Cartouche with a Water-Spouting Dragon's Head
  • Artist: Thomas Johnson (British, 1714–1778)
  • Date: 1762
  • Medium: Crayon manner and stipple engraving
  • Dimensions: sheet: 8 x 13 1/16 in. (20.3 x 33.2 cm)
  • Classifications: Prints, Ornament & Architecture
  • Credit Line: Gift of Harvey Smith, 1985
  • Object Number: 1985.1099
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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