The South East front of Conishead Priory, The original architects design for the rebuilding of the priory c 1767 thought to be the work of John Hird of Cartmel.

DESCRIPTION: Pen and Ink on paper with wash folded into the antiquities of Furness by Thomas West, first edition 1774.

West's work includes (page xxvii) a description of the new house as rebuilt by Thomas Braddyll circa 1767. 'The north front is in the Gothic style ... The south front is in a modern taste'. Writing in 1823 the historian Whittaker mentions that the house was 'almost wholly renewed about 60 years ago,' therefore about 1763. There was a partial rebuilding and renovation prior to 1777 described by William Fell as 'one side built anew by the curious architect 'Hird'. This seems to be a reference to architect John Hird of Cartmel although another source gives the designer of the Conishead as Philip William Wyatt son of James Wyatt but this may have been in reference to the later rebuilding. Evidence therefore points to John Hird being the designer of this drawing. The copy of West's Antiquities in which it is contained, bares the inscription 'Sam L Beaver the gift of Mr Braddyll'. Thomas Braddyll subscribed to 20 copies of the book and died in 1776. The book was purchased at the Aylesford sale at Christie's March 1888. The drawing mentioned.
It is reasonable to assume this design is the work of John Hird, this is probably the only example of his original design work and a very rare example of a provincial English architect of the 18th Century. It is very likely that if it was actually build for Thomas Braddyll it was subsequently demolished or rebuilt by Wyatt. In her book the Paradise of Furness, Sarah Holmes writes 'The south front was of white rough cast render and extended by an arcade bordered with yellow stucco. It was designed in the neo-classical style, introduced during the period by Robert and James Adam. Thomas Braddyl would have seen this graceful style of design embodied at Leighton Hall in Lancashire, where Hird had begun work in 1759'.

SIZE: Drawing: 470mm x 204mm

Book: 270mm x 220mm

CONDITION: Book: Worn Calf, Broken to boards and spine however complete.

Drawing: The outer edges have short repaired tears else quite clean and fresh.

£1250.00

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