|
The Drawing Room
The wallpaper in this room was put up by the 1st Duke in 1838. The gilded plasterwork to the ceiling and doors dates from the 1750s and is contemporary with the mirrors, which were bought with the house.
The paintings in this room were captured at the Battle of Vitoria in 1813 from Joseph Bonaparte as he fled from Spain. On their arrival in London it was discovered that they came from the Spanish Royal Collection. The Duke tried to return them to the reinstated King of Spain, Ferdinand VII, but was told that he had won them "by means as just as they are honourable" and to keep them.
Dining Room
Lord Rivers added this room in about 1775, with a ceiling design taken from an illustration in Robert Wood's book The Ruins of Palmyra. The furniture is almost all Regency and the paintings represent members of the 1st Duke's family..
|
