The enterprising patron of engravers, Mr. Alderman Boydell, has two designs made for picture-frames before he is satisfied, the second of which, contrary to the usual practice, is signed by Robert Adam, 1784, and is superior to the first. A month or two later, in June 1784, the same client has a very large screen design made with an artistic trophy of palettes and brushes, and oval and circular mirrors, held up by swags and French bows. Below are empty squares and oblongs, presumably for pictures. The size of this is 18 feet across by 20 feet high. Gothic designs sometimes occur. There is one for a pulpit and sounding-board, with very elaborate crockets and pinnacles, but it has no date or assignation, and several chimneypieces, one of which was for Alnwick Castle. The cabriole leg is not of frequent occurrence, but a sofa for Sir Laurence Dundas, though otherwise classical in pattern, is designed with it. The bulk of the designs done by, or made for, the Adams is classical in character. They made nothing in the style of Louis xv., but a vast quantity of their work would be indistinguishable from the French classical ornament of the style of Louis XVI. The writer in the Dictionary of National Biography sums their merits up not unjustly: 'Of their decorative work generally it may be said that it was rich but neat, refined but not effeminate, chaste but not severe, and that it will probably have quite as lasting and beneficial effect upon English taste as their architectural structures.'

The illustrations of Adam designs are from furniture in mahogany. The 'neatness is well exemplified by the sideboard (Plate CXVIII.) in the possession of Mrs. Rivers Turnbull. It shows us two of the stock classical patterns, the flute and the oval patera or rosette. The more elaborate one belonging to Sir Samuel Montague, M.P. (Plate cxvil), has a finely carved mask, flutes, swags, acanthus leafage, and scallop shells. The urn and pedestal arrangement appears in a fine example communicated by Messrs. Gill and Reigate (Plate CXIX.). As to the lyre-back chair (Plate CXXI.), one of a beautiful set belonging to Mr. Augustus Spencer, it seems impossible to dogmatise. The main shape is distinctly that of Chippendale, and the ornament may be that of the Adams. The set is attributed to Sheraton. We know that the Adams occasionally designed a chair with a Chippendale top rail, and, on the whole, it seems possible that this fine set may have been a tentative production of their firm based upon the general shape of their predecessor Chippendale, whose last edition of the Director came out in 1762.

Plate CXVIII. Mahogany Sideboard Table Adam

cxviii. Sideboard Table. Adam. 1760-1780 circa. Mrs. W. Rivers Turnbull.

Dimensions: Length 82, Height 34½, Depth from front to back 28½ inches.

Plate CXIX. I And 3 - Pedestal And Urns Adam 2 - Sideboard Table, Mahogany Adam

CXIX. (1 and 3) Pedestals and Urns, mahogany. Adam.

(2) Sideboard Table, mahogany. Adam, 1760-1780 circa. These are en suite, the pedestals and urns being photographed on a larger scale than the table to which they belong. Messrs. Gill and Reigate.

Plate CXXI. Lyre-Backed Chair, Mahogany

CXXI. Lyre-backed Chair, mahogany. One of a set. Adam (?). Augustus Spencer, Esq.