Descriptions

‘The Old Lime-kilns near Topsham on the Exe’, c.1808, by John White Abbott. Notes from Bearnes, Hampton & Littlewood catalogue Fine Art Sale Tuesday January 2019. Sale of a similar work of the same subject and by the same artist.

Notes from auction catalogue: ‘This lime kiln was owned by Topsham’s Robert Davy who became one of the most productive merchant ship builders for the navy during the Napoleonic wars. He developed six shipyards on the back of building lime ‘stone boats’ and ‘lighters’ (called ‘lighters’ as they made the stone boats lighter, developed six shipyards on the back of building lime ‘stone boats’ and ‘lighters’ (called ‘lighters’ as they made the stone boats lighter, as they came up the shallow Exe Estuary). The kilns burnt lime stone into powder using layers of ‘culm’ coal and, for warmth, vagrants used to sleep on them. The lime powder was used as a fertiliser and some of the stone for building’.

This object is on display at Exeter Guildhall.

Inscription

lower left monogram & dated JWA 1808