This painting was bequeathed to the Society in 1861 by Lady Brown, widow of Captain Sir Samuel Brown, RN (1776-1852), the engineer of the bridge and for many years a member of the Society. Brown invented an improved method of manufacturing links for chain cables which greatly extended their use in the construction of suspension bridges and landing piers. Brown's bar link was first employed in the Union Bridge, completed in July 1820 and subsequently in the Chain Pier at Brighton. The bridge is 18ft wide, 368ft long and the distance between the points of suspension is 432ft. It was the earliest suspension bridge erected in Great Britain calculated for the passage of loaded carriages. The painting itself was executed before the bridge was built to show the effect it would have on the landscape. The large building discernible on the skyline in the centre of the picture, standing high on the northern bank of the Tweed is Paxton House, built to the designs of James and John Adam in the 1750's, with later additions by Robert Reid. Like the bridge, it still stands in fine condition.
Pen and brown ink and brown ink on beige paper.
Oil on canvas.
Pen and brown ink.
Etching with engraving and traces of aquatint (black ink)
Pen and brown ink on black chalk, heightened with white chalk on blue paper.
Designed by William Chambers in 1759
Donated by B Scott
Orlando Oldham, member of council from 1970-1975 gave the Society the occasional table which he privately commissioned John Makepeace to design. The table is made by a combination ot turnery, joinery and carving from a single tree of English burr elm, the burr being a natural phenomenon giving rise to the highly complex and decorative grain.
Bequeathed to the Society by Viscount Bennett, President, on his death in 1947, had been presented to him by the Kiwanis Club of Calgary in 1939. On indefinite loan to the Ranchmen's Club of Calgary since 1967
Designed for use on the Council table by Robert Welch RDI, provided by money bequeathed to the Society by various people. The pieces are inscribed with the name of the benefactors. The Society's emblem and monogram, based on designs by William Gardner have been engraved on the pieces by T Wise.
Designed for use on the Council table by Robert Welch RDI, provided by money bequeathed to the Society by various people. The pieces are inscribed with the name of the benefactors. The Society's emblem and monogram, based on designs by William Gardner have been engraved on the pieces by T Wise.
Presented to the Society by Moore in 1766. Moved to St Paul's Cray in Kent, RSA Examinations and Printing Department in 1965