London and Its Environs Described, vol. 5 (of 6): Containing an Account of Whatever is Most Remarkable for Grandeur, Elegance, Curiosity or Use, in the City and in the Country Twenty Miles Round It — John Shaqi
London and Its Environs Described, vol. 5 (of 6): Containing an Account of Whatever is Most Remarkable for Grandeur, Elegance, Curiosity or Use, in the City and in the Country Twenty Miles Round ItAnonymous
History
London and Its Environs Described, vol. 5 (of 6): Containing an Account of Whatever is Most Remarkable for Grandeur, Elegance, Curiosity or Use, in the City and in the Country Twenty Miles Round It
Anonymous
London (England) -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800; London (England) -- Gazetteers -- Early works to 1800
The entrance into it is on the side of the court opposite to the great
gateway; the vestibule is about 82 feet long, and more than 12 feet
broad, being properly ornamented with columns of the Doric order. Each
end of it communicates with a stair case, leading to the principal
apartments, which face the garden and the Thames. They consist of
several spacious rooms, fitted up in the most elegant manner. The
ceilings are embellished with copies of antique paintings, or fine
ornaments of stucco, richly gilt. The chimney pieces consist of statuary
and other curious marble, carved and finished in the most correct taste.
The rooms are hung either with beautiful tapestry or the richest
damasks, and magnificently furnished with large glasses, chairs,
settees, marble tables, &c. with frames of the most exquisite
workmanship, and richly gilt. They also contain a great variety of
landscapes, history pieces, and portraits, painted by Titian and the
most eminent masters. In some of the rooms may be seen large chests,
embellished with old genuine japan; which being great rarities, are
almost invaluable.
The company passes thro’ many of these apartments to the left wing,
which forms a state gallery or ball room, admirable in every respect,
whether we consider the dimensions, the taste, and masterly manner in
which it is finished, or the elegant magnificence of the furniture.
It is 106 feet long, the breadth being a fourth part of the length, and
the height equal to the diagonal of the square of the breadth; which
proportions are esteemed to be the most proper for a gallery. The
ceiling is coved and ornamented with figures and festoons richly gilt.
To avoid repetitions, we beg leave once for all to say the same of the
other decorations and frames of the furniture; for there is such a
variety of gilding in the different parts of the gallery, that it would
be endless to mention it in every particular description. But to
proceed, the flat part of the ceiling is divided into five compartments,
ornamented with fine imitations of some antique figures, as, a flying
Fame blowing a trumpet; a Diana; a triumphal car drawn by two horses; a
Flora; and a Victory holding out a laurel wreath. The entablature is
Corinthian, and of most exquisite workmanship. The light is admitted
thro’ nine windows in the side next the garden, being equidistant from
one another, and in the same horizontal direction. Above these is
another row of windows, which, tho’ not visible in the room, are so
artfully placed as to throw a proper quantity of light over the cornice,
so that the highest parts of the room are as much enlightened as the
lowest, and the pictures on the opposite side are free from that
confused glare, which would arise from a less judicious disposition. In
the spaces between the windows, there are tables of antique marble, and
stools covered with crimson damask, placed alternately. The piers are
also ornamented with large square and oval glasses, arranged in the
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