Torond, Francis (SCC Newsletter January 2009)

Torond Page 13

The Essex Torond

Another Torond discovered.

A few months ago I was looking through a scrapbook acquired with the Mrs. McK archives - in it was a cutting from "Country Life" dated 20th July 1945. This was a letter from a Mr H. Clifford about Henry Keene & James Essex (the Gothic Revival architects) with an illustration of a Torond Conversation Piece of James Essex, his wife and a friend. The letter referred to the work of the two architects, but also enthused about the art of Torond.. It mentioned the Coke fire in 1919, when so many of his works were lost. At the time the Essex Torond was said to be in the Worthing Museum. I decided to have a look at it.

Unfortunately it was not in the Worthing Museum. I then wrote to the National Portrait Gallery (a great source of information about notable people). The Gallery referred me to another article in "Country Life" dated July 9th 1984. This was a report of an exhibition at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge entitled "The Ingeneous Mr Essex". Again the Essex Torond was illustrated. I then wrote to the Fitzwilliam and it agreed to pass my letter onto the present owner. Much to my surprise the owner replied and invited me to view it. I have now done this and the photograph taken at the time is illustrated above. I am glad to say that the work is much treasured and likely to remain where it is for many years to come.

The ‘sitters' are James Essex holding a pair of dividers, his wife feeding her pet squirrel! And on the left their friend Mellicent Hammond. James Essex is known as. the "eminent architect of Cambridge" - as he played a major part in bringing the Gothic to many buildings in the City such as Kings College Chapel & Clare College. Also, he was responsible for the restoration of Ely & Lincoln Cathedrals.

It would appear to be a fairly early work of Torond. It is about 12" in height and 18" wide. It is housed in a superior hogarth frame. The names and dates of the ‘sitters' are underneath the figures. There is no label or signature. The beige curtain is particularly interesting and clearly original. Some of you may recall that I did illustrate a Torond in the April 2004 Newsletter - it was of a Mr. Stanley, the celebrated blind organist. This had a brown curtain and I suggested that this might not be original. Obviously I was wrong, but I still think the black curtains are more effective!