Social England under the Regency, Vol. 1 (of 2)Ashton, John
History
Social England under the Regency, Vol. 1 (of 2)
Ashton, John
England -- Social life and customs -- 19th century; Regency -- England
The first was hung with crimson velvet, with embroidered ornaments
in pure gold, and most massive gold fringes and laces. The Canopy,
superbly carved and gilt, was surmounted by four helmets of real
gold, having plumes of the finest white ostrich feathers, many of
them 17 inches in height. On each side the Canopy, were magnificent
antique draperies; decorated to correspond with it, and forming
back-grounds to two superb candelabra, after the antique, executed
in the finest manner, with lions _couchant_, and other appropriate
ornaments. Under the Canopy stood a grand state chair and foot-stool.
The compartments of the room were decorated with the richest gold
ornaments on a crimson velvet ground, with draperies enriched with
gold fringes, _en suite_. There were two superb glasses about twelve
feet high, with oriental alabaster tables, on frames, carved and
gilt, in the most magnificent style. On a chimney, decorated with
_or-molu_ foliage of the richest sculpture, was placed a large glass
in a superb frame; and on the chimney-piece and tables, were fine
French girandoles of _or-molu_. In this room were no other seats
than stools gilt and covered with crimson velvet. Here were whole
length portraits in grand gold frames, of their Majesties, the
Prince Regent, and the Duke of York. Through a door at one end of
this room, a temporary staircase presented itself to view, which
communicated with the Conservatory; this erection was intended as
a private passage for the Prince Regent and his particular friends
to pass down to the head of the tables, when supper was announced.
Opposite the above door, a door leading to the Throne room being
removed, and a large glass being placed in the opposite door, on the
further side beyond the Throne, the whole range of Candelabra, and
the throne itself were reflected in it; and a striking _coup d'oeil_
was thereby produced.
The Ball room was decorated with Arabesque ornament, and figures,
painted in the finest style imaginable, on gold grounds, in panels,
between pilasters richly carved and gilt; the ceiling was decorated
in compartments. The windows and recesses have circular tops,
and they were decorated with rich blue velvet draperies, with
massive gold fringes, lace, tassels, and ropes--the latter were
likewise of gold. In the recesses were magnificent French plates
of looking-glass, in gold frames, having sofas under them, richly
carved and covered with blue velvet; the chairs to suit. Before each
pilaster was placed a rich gilt pedestal, on which was a superb
French girandole, carrying eight wax-lights, executed in _or-molu_.
The two chimney-pieces of Statuary marble, were ornamented with
foliage and figures in bronze and _or-molu_, and, over them, were
glasses in gold frames, and French Candelabra, worthy of the _tout
ensemble_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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