Joseph Mallord William Turner

The Armoury, Abbotsford

1831

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Not on display

Artist: Joseph Mallord William Turner 1775–1851
Part of: Abbotsford Sketchbook
Medium: Graphite on paper
Dimensions: Support: 113 x 185 mm
Collection: Tate
Acquisition: Accepted by the nation as part of the Turner Bequest 1856
Reference: D26044
Turner Bequest CCLXVII 68

Catalogue entry

With the sketchbook inverted on folios 65 verso–66 (D26043, D26044; CCLXVII 67a, 66) are sketches of Sir Walter Scott’s Armoury at Abbotsford. The view on the present page is from the north-west corner of the room near the window, looking across the room and through the archway to the ante room. On each wall are displayed items of weaponry, armour and hunting trophies. These include on the left (east) wall: a pair of antlers, a shield (or breastplate) hung in front of three crossed swords, two guns (perhaps the Spanish double-barrelled flint-lock gun and the gun that purportedly belonged to Rob Roy), and several daggers, powder horns and other such items. Above and either side of the archway to the ante room are swords and further items of weaponry.1

There are two further views of the armoury on folio 65 verso. For references to other sketches of Abbotsford, see folio 62 verso (D26037; CCLXVII 64a).

Thomas Ardill
September 2009

For Scott’s collection of arms and armour see, A.V.B. Norman, ‘Arms and armour at Abbotsford’, Apollo, vol.76, 1963, pp.525–9; Major-General Sir Walter Maxwell Scott, Guide to Abbotsford, new edition, revised by Dr. James Corson, London [circa 1975], p.12; Clive Wainwright, The romantic interior: the British collector at home, 1750–1850, London 1989, pp.199–206.

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