Rural architecture in the Chinese taste : being designs entirely new for the decoration of gardens, parks, forrests, inside of houses, &c. on sixty copper plates with full instructions for workmen : also a near estimate of the charge and hints where proper to be erected / the whole invented & drawn by Willm. & Jno. Halfpenny architects ; divided into four parts.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Halfpenny, William, -1755.

Contributor:

Halfpenny, John, active 18th century.

Sayer, Robert, 1725-1794, Bookseller.

Parr., Engraver.

Cole, B. (Benjamin), Engraver.

Wolff, Jens., Former owner.

British Imprints Collection (Athenaeum of Philadelphia)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Architecture, Domestic--Designs and plans--Early works to 1800.

Architecture, Domestic.

Architecture--Details--Early works to 1800.

Architecture.

Architecture, Chinese--Early works to 1800.

Architecture, Chinese.

Landscape architecture--Early works to 1800.

Landscape architecture.

Physical Description:

[2], [2], 3-8, [4], 5-8, [2], 3-8, [2], 2 p., 60 leaves of plates (some folded) : ill. ; 20 cm.

Edition:

The 2d addition [i.e. ed.], 1752.

Place of Publication:

[London] : Printed for & sold by Robt. Sayer, map & printseller at the Golden Buck opposite Fetter Lane, Fleet Street, 1752.

Contents:

Pt. I. New designs for Chinese temples, triumphal arches, garden seats, palings, &c.

pt. II. New designs for Chinese bridges, temples, triumphal arches, garden-seats, palings, obelisks, termini's, &c.

pt. III. New designs for Chinese doors, windows, piers, pilasters, garden seats, green houses, summer houses, &c.

pt. IV. New designs for Chinese gates, palisades, stair-cases, chimney-pieces, cielings [sic], garden-seats, chairs, temples, &c.

Notes:

Part I by William Halfpenny, parts II-IV joint work of William and John Halfpenny.

Each part with separate title page: Part I dated Dec. 1 1750 : Part II Feb. 1 1751 : Part II May 1st 1751 : Part IV January, 1751.

General title page engraved.

Illustrations by Parr and B[enjamin] Cole.

A copy of this book was being offered for sale by Thomas Bradford in Philadelphia prior to 1800. Cf. Janice G. Schimmelman, Architectural books in early America.

Halfpenny's role had never been to reform taste but always to reduce it to practical terms and disseminate it, as he said of his Chinese designs, 'to workmen at a distance from the metropolis'. Cf. Harris and Savage, British architectural books and writers.

Earlier editions published under title: New designs for Chinese temples, triumphal arches, garden seats, palings &c.

Binding: half bound in brown morocco and marbled paper; spine with raised bands, gilt lines and gilt lettered label.

Local Notes:

Athenaeum copy is lacking t.p. for pt. I.

Athenaeum copy: Bookplate of Jens Wolff.

Cited in:

ESTC T79274

Archer 134.2

Harris and Savage 301

Park 24