THE DRAWING SET.

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This set of drawing instruments were made by Thomas Heath c.1740-50 and owned by Bath architect John Wood the Elder. Engraved on the lid of the case is the Coat of Arms of John Wood and on the base is engraved 'John Wood, Architect'. Dating from 1740-50 this set could have been used by Wood when designing some of the most important buildings in Bath, including the Circus.

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The maker of this set Thomas Heath was active 1720-1753 and has been recognised as one of the foremost British makers of mathematical and scientific instruments in the eighteenth century.

It is not surprising that when John Wood the Elder, an architect of great innovation, was looking to purchase instruments he would go to a leading maker and retailer renowned for his advancement in the design of architectural drawing instruments.

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It is highly likely that the set was passed on to John Wood the Younger after his father's death in 1754, and drawings by both of the Woods could have been created using this set.

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The coat of arms on the lid of the case can also be seen in John Wood's bookplate, and was also used as his seal on building leases for some of his key developments and designs in Bath. The crest of a demi-wild man, as well as the oak trees in the quarterings, are both frequently used for Arms of families bearing the name Wood, but what is unique in this case is that they also refer to Wood's architectural theories and his ideas concerning the druidical origin of architecture interwoven with the ancient British history of Bath.

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SPECIAL THANKS

The purchase of the John Wood Drawing Set was made possible thanks to the support and generosity of:



Arts Council England/Victoria and Albert Museum Purchase Grant Fund
B&NES Heritage Services
Edward Bayntun-Coward
Simon & Jacqueline Burrows
Van & Eva DuBose
Ainslie & Dick Ensom
Dr Michael Forsyth & Dr Marion Harney
Barry & Yvonne Gilbertson
Caroline Kay
Sir Timothy & Lady Lloyd
Tom Marshall
Medlock Charitable Trust
Trevor Osborne
The family of Hugh Roberts, Bath architect
Thomas Sheppard
Adrian Tinniswood
Verdon-Smith Family Charitable Trust
And some donors who wish to remain anonymous