Study for an enlarged ‘chair organ’ case, related to WRE/4/2/6

WRE/4/2/7

c.1694

Sir Christopher (1632–1723) Wren, Nicholas (c.1662–1736) Hawksmoor

Pen and brown ink over pencil, with additions in pencil, and pencil shading. Thick laid paper. 47.5 x 34.5 cm. Watermark: Strasbourg lily WR

{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang2057{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Microsoft Sans Serif;}{\f1\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 System;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue128;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\cf1\f0\fs20 Carefully finished in the left bay to show the organ pipes and sash frame, this design is probably an alternative for a rectangular \lquote chair organ\rquote to replace the circular panel in WRE/4/2/6. Drawn and annotated by Hawksmoor. Datable c.1694. Drawn scale, just under 1 ft to 1 inch (1 ft = 26.5 mm).\par \par In the completed organ (dismantled in 1873, the original east side now set against the south crossing pier of the choir, with a replica case against the north crossing pier) the \lquote chair organ\rquote contains small and medium-sized organ pipes in a square panel. It is rectangular on plan, 8ft 6 inches wide and high and about 4 ft 3 inches deep, the whole feature projecting out from the gallery front on long brackets, and equalling in width the central bay of the base of the organ. The case in this drawing is 9 ft 4 inches wide at the bottom and 9 ft high including the central pediment. In width it exactly matches the central bay of the base of the organ in WRE/4/2/6, and like the \lquote chair\rquote in that design has vase finials on the outer angles. A winged angel term-figure supports the Corinthian capital of the inner bay and a winged cherub holds the drapery canopy at the top of the central alcove. In the completed \lquote chair\rquote , angel term-figures stand on the outer corners and hold up a much larger drapery swag that curves down across the whole feature, supported by pairs of winged cherubs over the outer and central bays. \par \par The drawing would thus appear to be an initial study for a revised organ chair, intended to incorporate a greater number of pipes than envisaged in the two earlier studies for the feature. It is likely to predate the contract for the new organ signed by Bernard Smith on 19 December 1694 (Wren Society 16, pp.23-24).\cf0\b\f1\par }

Access to the Wren office drawings held at London Metropolitan Archives is available only with advance notice and at the discretion of the Heritage Services Director, London Metropolitan Archives, 40 Northampton Road, London, EC1R 0HB.

WRE/4/1/9, WRE/4/1/10