Fitzherbert, Maria Anne, 1756-1837; George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830
'There are two entrances to this apartment, one from the Chinese
Gallery, and the other from the Yellow Drawing-room, each under a
superb canopy of crimson and gold, ornamented with dragons and musical
bells, and supported by golden columns entwined by dragons. There is no
outlet on the opposite side, but the general uniformity is preserved
by apparent entrances, corresponding in embellishments with those
described.
'The carpet, which was manufactured in Axminster, to fit the room, is
one of the largest in the kingdom, its dimensions being sixty one feet
by forty, and its weight about 1,700 lbs. It is wrought with Chinese
subjects in gold colour, on a light blue ground, including suns, stars,
serpents, dragons, birds, insects, and other forms. The sofas and
chairs, which are of yellow satin and gold, accord with the surrounding
objects; the arm chairs are partially dove coloured.
'THE YELLOW DRAWING ROOM, has been so much altered since it was fitted
up by the Prince of Wales, that it now bears little resemblance to
Pugin's drawing of it. As there delineated, the walls displayed a
series of pictures in the Chinese style, intermingled with other
characteristic embellishments, and numerous Chinese lanterns were
suspended from flying dragons issuing from the cornice.
'This is the intervening apartment between the Saloon and the Music
Room, and is the one that usually becomes the sitting room of the
Royal party when residing at the Palace. Its length is fifty six feet,
and its extreme breadth, to the windows, about thirty three feet. The
ceiling is partly supported by two oriental columns, of white and
gold, enwreathed by serpents, and branching into umbrella capitals
hung with bells. The Cornice, or Canopy, which surrounds the room,
is also diversified by pendent bells. The draperies, etc., are of
striped satin; and the walls are panelled in white, with richly gilt
borderings. The principal chairs and sofas are covered to match the
drapery; and, on the back of every chair, is a small Chinese figure,
seated, with a bell in each hand. There are five windows on the east
side (besides two others in the semicircular returns), and, in front
of each intermediate pier, is a sexagon stand of porcelain, sustaining
branch lights. The chimney piece, which is of brown coloured marble,
is elegantly designed; at the angles are small columns, and within
a niche in each jamb is a Chinese figure. On the mantel shelf is a
handsome dial, by Vulliamy, with ornamental accessories, including
Chinese figures of white china, in draperies enriched with gold. Among
the furniture are Buhl tables, with grotesque borderings, beautifully
inlaid. On the side and end tables are many jars and vases of Asiatic
and Sèvres porcelain; several of which are of a pale sea green colour,
elegantly wrought with flowers, butterflies, and other forms. The doors
are panelled with plate glass.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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