John Platt (sculptor)

John Platt (9 March 1728 – 1810) was an 18th-century English sculptor and architect.

Life

He was born at Thrybergh near Rotherham on 9 March 1728 the son of George Platt (1700–1743) and nephew of a local architect. In the late 18th century he took over the stone-yard and marble-works of Henry Watson in Ashford, Derbyshire.[1]

He died in Halifax and was buried in Rotherham parish churchyard. The stone was removed in 1950.[1]

Works

Grand portico at Wentworth Castle

Fireplace in Wentworth Castle

• Monument to the Hopkins family at Gainsborough, Lincolnshire (1748)
• East wing of Wortley Hall (1757–1761)[2]
• Grand portico at Wentworth Castle (1762)
• Fireplaces at Wentworth Castle (c.1764)
• Monument to Mrs Bamford in Sheffield church (1767)
• Bridge in Rotherham (c.1767–69)[3]
• Refronting of Moorgate Hall in Rotherham (1768)[4]
• Monument to Mr Copley at Sprotboro (1769)
• Monument to Mr Wolrich at Leeds (1769)
• Tower and interior of St Paul's Church in Sheffield (1769)
• Ferham House in Masbrough for Jonathan Walker (1775–1780)[5]
• Marble staircase at Aston Hall in Yorkshire (1776)
• Rotherham Charity School (1776)
• Monument to Lady Bute at Wortley Chapel (1778)
• Monument to Mrs Catherine Buck in Rotherham parish church (1778)
• Monument to Mr Birk in Sheffield (1783)
• Monument to Miss Freeman in Ecclesfield Church (1783)
• Monument to Lt Col Downes in Rotherham parish church (1785) in blue john
• Large monument to Mr Foljambe of Aldwark !790)
• Monument to Ref Francis Hall in Tankersley Church (1793)
• Townhouse in Rotherham (1794) later converted into Town Chambers[6]
• Monument to Robert Cutforthay in Rotherham parish church (1799)
• Marble staircase at Clifton Hall near Rotherham (1882)

Family

He was married and had at least four sons all of whom were pushed towards sculpture. The eldest was John (1763–1832) studied both sculpture and architecture but ended in the Royal Navy. Charles Platt (1770–1817) was apprenticed to Richard Westmacott the Elder. George Platt (1779–1850) studied architecture under Rawdon of York and later joined the British Army. William (1775–1811) was apprenticed to P W Tomkins, engraver to the King and later had a business in Golden Square.

References

1. Dictionary of British Sculptors 1660–1851 by Rupert Gunnis p.316
2. Gardens (en), Parks and. "Wortley Hall - Barnsley". Parksandgardens.org. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
3. "Bridging a gap in Rotherham history". Aroundtownmagazine.co.uk. 19 January 2017. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
4. "19th to Early 20th Century Villa Suburbs | South Yorkshire Historic Environment Characterisation". Sytimescapes.org.uk. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
5. "Search Results". Archives.rotherham.gov.uk. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
6. Bolton, James. "Westgate Chambers transformation enters second phase". Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 8 July 2022.