S&SWM PR papers L1761

L1761

Ansd. Apr. 6/97

The Burlington Fine Arts Club | 17 Savile Row, W. | 12th March 1897

Sir,

I am instructed to send you copy of a notice which the Committee have issued to the members of the Club regarding an Exhibition to be held shortly of objects illustrating the history of Enamel.

Her Majesty the Queen and the principal collectors are contributing, and it is intended that the Exhibition shall be completely representative of the best work of every period. In furtherance of this object the Committee venture to hope that it may be possible for the Club to have the loan of some specimens from your collection.

It is proposed to open the exhibition in May and to close it at the end of June or the beginning of July.

The utmost care is taken of objects entrusted to the Club, and insurance affected against all risks, including transit to and from the Club, as well as while here.

I am
Your obedient Servant
John Beavan
Secretary

Lt. Gen Pitt-Rivers | 4 Grosvenor Gardens | S.W.

Enclosure:

BURLINGTON FINE ARTS CLUB

The committee of the Burlington Fine Arts Club have decided to organise an Exhibition (to be opened in the Gallery of the Club in May next) of objects illustrating the history of ENAMEL. It will include Enamels of all kinds, including gold and silversmiths' work with enamelled details, from the earliest period to the end of the XVIIth century, with the exception of Oriental Enamels, which will not form part of this Exhibition.

It is hoped that an Introduction, giving a full history of Enamels, will be prefixed to the Catalogue, which will in form be similar to those of previous Club Exhibitions, and be printed for presentation to Members and Contributors.

As the Committee are desirous of making this Exhibition fully illustrative of the history of such Enamels, and representative of the best work of every period, they would be extremely obliged if Members would be kind enough, at their earliest convenience, to inform them whether they have any, and what, specimens which they would be willing to contribute, and to give them any information as to the owners of suitable objects.

It is understood that, as on previous occasions, the Committee are compelled to reserve to themselves an absolute power of acceptance or rejection.

By order of the Committee,

JOHN BEAVAN,
Secretary

17 Savile Row,
March, 1897

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L1778

Ansd. Apr. 6/97

The Burlington Fine Arts Club | 17 Savile Row, W. | 2nd April 1897

[Repeats exactly the message of the letter sent in L1761, except for date, including the enclosure]

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L1784

Ansd Apr. 12/97

The Burlington Fine Arts Club | 17 Savile Row, W. | 7th April 1897

Sir,

I am instructed by the Enamels Exhibition Committee to thank you for your kind letter of the 6th. They would be very glad to have the pair of enamelled fire dogs of the time of Charles I., and the enamelled disc the coloured drawing of which I return. Will you kindly send these at your convenience and they will be much obliged.

I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant
John Beavan
Secretary

Lt Genl Pitt Rivers | Rushmore

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L1790

Objects sent on Apr. 16/97

The Burlington Fine Arts Club | 17 Savile Row, W. | 13th April 1897

Sir,

The Enamels Exhibition Committee are much obliged by your letter - They will be glad to receive the objects, but do not wish to have the reproduction referred to, as they do not propose to show any reproductions.

I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant
John Beavan
Secretary

Lt Genl Pitt Rivers

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L1793

The Burlington Fine Arts Club | 17 Savile Row, W. | 17th April 1897

Sir,

I am instructed to acknowledge with the best thanks of the Committee, the safe receipt of the pair of Enamelled Fire Dogs and the Small Circular Pendant which you have kindly lent for the forthcoming Exhibition.

I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant
John Beavan
Secretary

Lt Genl Pitt Rivers

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L1798

Sent by Registered letter post on Apr. 28/97

The Burlington Fine Arts Club | 17 Savile Row, W. | 22nd April 1897

Sir,

I am desired by the Enamels Exhibition Committee to ask whether you could kindly provide them with the loan of a "small lozenge shaped badge with arms of Philippa in red enamel" - If so, it could perhaps be conveniently sent in a registered packet by post

I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant
John Beavan
Secretary

Lt Genl Pitt Rivers | Rushmore | Salisbury

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L1809

The Burlington Fine Arts Club | 17 Savile Row, W. | April 29th 1897

Sir,

I am directed by the Enamels Exhibition Committee to acknowledge with their best thanks the safe receipt of the registered packet containing the enamelled Badge of Philippa Queen of Edward III, and marble stand for same

I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant
John Beavan
Secretary

Lt Genl Pitt Rivers | Rushmore | Salisbury

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L1871 is 2 circulars from the Burlington Fine Arts Club, one seeks Pitt-Rivers' permission to publish photographs of his objects in the catalogue of the exhibition, the second gives details of the catalogue and is annotated 'Ordered July 7/97'.

The fire dogs are Add.9455vol3_p808 /1-2, described as 'Pair of curious old Enamelled Bronze Firedogs Temp Charles I Height 25 1/2 inches', Pitt-Rivers had purchased them from a dealer, Samuel Willson of St James Square, London in April 1892. The enamel disc cannot be identified, the coloured drawing sounds intriguing - can it have been one of the catalogue drawings sent loose leaf to London? The enamel badge is Add.9455vol3_p832 /11.

Pitt-Rivers was (or appears to have been) a member of the Burlington Fine Arts Club which was established in 1866 and was a gentleman's club for men interested in art. They held regular exhibitions. This exhibition was called 'Catalogue of a collection of European enamels from the earliest date to the end of the XVII. century'. It is not known if Pitt-Rivers did exhibit any of his enamel.

 Transcribed by AP for the Rethinking Pitt-Rivers project