Lot 131: Joseph Wilton (1722-1803)

Design for a chimneypiece
sign and dated 'J Wilton fecit. 1761.' (lower left in the margin)
black ink and grey wash, in the artist's ink line border, unframed
12 3/8 x 15 5/8 in. (31.5 x 39.8 cm.)

DESIGNS FOR CHIMNEYPIECES

This George III design for a chimneypiece is dated 1761 and signed by the sculptor Joseph Wilton (d.1803). Wilton, who had worked in Florence in the early 1750s, returned to England from Italy in 1755 in company with the architect Sir William Chambers (d.1796), and was appointed a Director of the London sculpture gallery of antique casts established by the Duke of Richmond. His appointment as 'Statuary to his Majesty [George III]' was published in The Gentleman's Magazine in September 1761 (vol.XXXI, p.431).

This lot is subject to storage and collection charges.
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium, which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.