Coade reworked
Coade stone designs could be reworked before firing, to offer a client a customised piece without incurring the high cost of a new mould. Here’s an example of the company’s standard muses, Urania and Clio, being remade into lamp holders. Clio is the muse of history and lyre playing. In the Coade company’s etching she carries a scroll and lyre, while her sister Urania has the celestial globe and pointer, being the muse of astronomy and astrology.
Another example is a partial chimney surround. In the etching, the caryatid is an integral part of the surround. As a corner ornament, she has been taken out of the design and modified to be two-sided. This piece was also ‘bronzed.’
These and more fabulous Coade stone elements can be enjoyed at Pitzhanger Manor in Ealing. Sir John Soane built this as his country home, embellishing it inside and out with Coade stone. You can’t miss his beloved façade caryatids! But look out for balusters and urns also. The muses are in the Eating Room and the corner-caryatids are in the Breakfast Room.
After they were taken out of the mould, their attributes were removed and their lowered hands reworked to hold their robes. Their raised hands were remade with a slot for a candle or lamp to be inserted. After firing, they were painted to appear as if made of bronze.
