Fitzherbert, Maria Anne, 1756-1837; George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830
'Four other lustres, designed in a style of corresponding elegance, but
much smaller, and more simple in construction, are suspended from an
equal number of beautifully carved figures of the Chinese _Fum_, which
appears to issue, in the act of flight, from the spandrils beneath the
cupola, and are richly and variously coloured to resemble nature. Each
minor lustre displays only a single lotus flower, which crowns the
lower division, and appears studded, at the joining of the leaves, with
superb jewels; twenty four burners are contained within the cup of each
flower.
'Of the enchanting effect produced by the diffusive rays of these
lustres, when fully illumined, it is scarcely possible to conceive an
adequate idea. "Creating," (if the figure may be allowed), "in mid
air, a diamond blaze, yet so chastened by the semi-transparent medium
through which it streams, that the eye gazes on the beauteous scene,
undazzled; the effulgence assumes the character of an artificial day."
'The recesses to the north and south of this apartment are united to
the main cornice by convex curves (rising from a subordinate cornice
enriched with gold and pendent bells), each of which is divided into
five semi-elliptic compartments, curiously embellished with a variety
of shadowy mythological forms, in pale gold, on a slate coloured
ground. The intervening spaces above the cornice, are crimson and gold,
with silver studs.
'On the east side are five spacious windows, the draperies of which
are of the richest crimson silks, adorned with gold, and sustained
by flying dragons. The dividing piers are covered by fluted silks
of celestial blue; and, in front of each pier, is a beautiful
candelabrum, about ten feet in height. Each of the latter consists of a
circular pedestal (including descending dragons, in relief, among its
ornaments), supporting a cylindrical vase of blue porcelain, resembling
lapis lazuli, surmounted by a lotus flower, of seven leaves, slightly
tinged with red, and having its stem entwined by golden dragons.
Similar candelabra, but with varied pedestals, stand before the main
piers on the opposite side. The windows are glazed with plate glass
in large panes, set in frames of dark wood, with gold beadings, and
borders of amber coloured glass; the jambs are black and red, edged
with gold ornamental work.
'There are four entrances to this apartment (_viz._, two at each
end), all of which are uniform in character and decoration. They
have folding doors embellished in imitation of Japan work; each
leaf presenting an elegant pagoda, embossed with gold of different
hues, and hung with silver bells. Small columns ornament the sides
of the doorways, and each impost exhibits two finely carved dragons,
apparently of solid gold. Above these, in an arched compartment, is a
group of dragons, issuing from an expanded flower cup, expressive of
the chimæra of oriental mythology: these, also, are richly gilt, and
beautifully sculptured.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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