James Paty the Elder
Encyclopedia
James Paty the Elder (died 1748) was an English
mason
, builder and architect
. He was the first in a succession of members of the Paty family prominent in the building of 18th century Bristol
. He is thought to have been the architect of Bristol's Old Library
on King Street
.
and James Paty the Younger. A link between them is provided by the existence of a copybook
, which may have been passed down within the family. Drawings within it have been tentatively attributed to each of these three men. However, they each operated out of different workshops, that of the elder James being in Broadmead. In 1721 he was admitted as a burgess of Bristol, on payment of a fine of £15. James had a wife Rachel, who carried on the operation of his workshop after his death. He had a son, also called James (1748–1807), who took over the workshop from his mother in 1768 on becoming a burgess in that year.
as Christ Church with St Ewen
. He was brought in by Thomas Paty to work as a stone carver on the Exchange
where he carved at least one of the capital
s. There are also about a dozen monuments he is known to have carved.
Some other buildings are attributed to him, though not with certainty, as builder or architect: houses on Unity Street and College Green
, and the Old Library
on King Street. For the library he is known to have been at least the mason and stone carver, and is thought to have been the architect too. Unfortunately, most of the library's ornamentation has been lost over time and as a result of repairs: in particular, a fine Bristol coat of arms
on the pediment and figures of putti
depicted reading books above the first floor windows.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
mason
Masonry
Masonry is the building of structures from individual units laid in and bound together by mortar; the term masonry can also refer to the units themselves. The common materials of masonry construction are brick, stone, marble, granite, travertine, limestone; concrete block, glass block, stucco, and...
, builder and architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
. He was the first in a succession of members of the Paty family prominent in the building of 18th century Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
. He is thought to have been the architect of Bristol's Old Library
Old Library, Bristol
The Old Library is a historic building on the north side of King Street, Bristol, England. It was built in 1738–40 and has been designated by English Heritage as a grade II* listed building....
on King Street
King Street, Bristol
King Street is a 17th century street in the historic city centre of Bristol, England.The street lies just south of the old town wall and was laid out in 1650 in order to develop the Town Marsh, the area then lying between the south or Marsh Wall and the Avon...
.
Paty family
There is no definite evidence for the relation of James to the other members of the Paty family. He was not the father, but probably the uncle or some other relation of Thomas PatyThomas Paty
Thomas Paty was a British surveyor, architect and mason working mainly in Bristol. He worked with his sons John Paty and William Paty.-List of works:* Bristol Bridge , with James Bridges...
and James Paty the Younger. A link between them is provided by the existence of a copybook
Copybook (education)
A copybook is a book used in education that contains examples and blank space for writing down copies of the examples by imitation. Typical uses include teaching penmanship and arithmetic to students. A page of a copy book typically starts with a copybook heading: a printed example of what should...
, which may have been passed down within the family. Drawings within it have been tentatively attributed to each of these three men. However, they each operated out of different workshops, that of the elder James being in Broadmead. In 1721 he was admitted as a burgess of Bristol, on payment of a fine of £15. James had a wife Rachel, who carried on the operation of his workshop after his death. He had a son, also called James (1748–1807), who took over the workshop from his mother in 1768 on becoming a burgess in that year.
Works
James Paty the Elder carved the wooden quarterjacks for Christ Church, Bristol, which were transferred later to the tower of the new church when it was rebuilt by William PatyWilliam Paty
William Paty was a British surveyor, architect and mason working mainly in Bristol. He was appointed City Surveyor in 1788...
as Christ Church with St Ewen
Christ Church with St Ewen
Christ Church with St Ewen is a Church of England parish church in Broad Street, Bristol, England.It was built between 1786 and 1791, designed by William Paty and built by his relatives Thomas Paty and Sons, replacing a medieval one. The entrance and refurbished interior are by Henry Williams in...
. He was brought in by Thomas Paty to work as a stone carver on the Exchange
The Exchange, Bristol
The Exchange is a Grade I listed building built in 1741–43 by John Wood the Elder, on Corn Street, near the junction with Broad Street in Bristol, England...
where he carved at least one of the capital
Capital (architecture)
In architecture the capital forms the topmost member of a column . It mediates between the column and the load thrusting down upon it, broadening the area of the column's supporting surface...
s. There are also about a dozen monuments he is known to have carved.
Some other buildings are attributed to him, though not with certainty, as builder or architect: houses on Unity Street and College Green
College Green, Bristol
College Green is a public open space in Bristol, England. The Green takes the form of a segment of a circle with its apex pointing east, and covers...
, and the Old Library
Old Library, Bristol
The Old Library is a historic building on the north side of King Street, Bristol, England. It was built in 1738–40 and has been designated by English Heritage as a grade II* listed building....
on King Street. For the library he is known to have been at least the mason and stone carver, and is thought to have been the architect too. Unfortunately, most of the library's ornamentation has been lost over time and as a result of repairs: in particular, a fine Bristol coat of arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
on the pediment and figures of putti
Putto
A putto is a figure of an infant often depicted as a young male. Putti are defined as chubby, winged or wingless, male child figure in nude. Putti are distinct from cherubim, but some English-speakers confuse them with each other, except that in the plural, "the Cherubim" refers to the biblical...
depicted reading books above the first floor windows.
List of works
- Christ Church (1728) (as carver)
- 30 College Green (possibly) (c. 1730)
- Old Library (1738–40) (probably architect)
- The Exchange (1741–43) (as carver)
- 1 and 3–9 Unity Street (possibly) (c. 1742)