Small Tracings, Sketches and Miscellaneous

Scope and Content

The folder contained a selection of 26 small and medium sized sketches and patterns dating from around the 1870s to the 1980s. Some designs are preliminary sketches on tracing paper. Most of the sketches feature floral designs, often with intricate scrollwork, some of which resemble Templeton's Medallion range in style, while there are others that are seemingly Persian in style. The folder also contained some photographs of designs as well as a collection of lithographs from designs held at the Soane Museum, possibly by Robert Adam, including designs for a carpet for Sir Laurence Dundas and a ceiling for Alderman Thomas Harley of Aldersgate Street, London. It should be noted that it is unlikely that Drawer 36 was this folder's permanent home, though its permanent location remains unknown. Why these designs were stored incorrectly is unclear. It is possible that these designs were being used by staff in the design department at the time of the transfer of the design archive, and were hurriedly put away instead of being correctly placed in their own drawers. Some designs consist of several seperate pieces of paper and have therefore been catalogued as single items with multiple parts. Where items are folded and stapled or clipped together the size recorded is that when folded.