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Description: | FURNISHINGS
Substantial collection of 17th century furnishings, from two phases of work in the house, first in the 1630s and then in the 1670s. Items from the first phase include Long Gallery stools c1640 and sideboard tables of c1655 and an ivory cabinet c1655-60 in North Drawing Room. Most is from the later 17th century with great rareties such as the "Dolphin" upholstered armchairs made in Paris, lacquer stands for two earlier Japanese cabinets in the Green Closet and many other pieces with elaborate marquetry and silver mounts. There are other items from Japan and from Java, blackamoor candlestands from Venice, c1670, in the Long Gallery and "sleeping chairs" in the Queen's Closet. There is also more utilitarian furniture in the library and kitchen.
The 4th Earl of Dysart made numerous purchases in the mid 18th century which are exceptionally well documented and include gilded mirrors, puer tables, tapestries, silk damaks, festoon curtains and beds, mahogany tables and chairs and embossed leather wallhangings, while the 6th and 9th Earls provided additions in an antiquarian spirit, with reproductions of 17th century styles.
TEXTILES
Ham is famous for its 17th century textiles, which include both Flemish and Mortlake tapestries and silk embroidered wall-hangings described in the 1670s inventories. The woven cushion covers of the lacquer and carved long stools in the Long Gallery, of about 1640 and the altar frontal and cushions in the Chapel are the greatest rareties. Fragments of damask and passementerie have survived and indicate the extreme luxury ofnd expense of the Lauderdales late 17th century furnishings.
The 4th Earl purchased tapestries after Watteau and Pater and patronised London upholsterers whose covers survive on some furniture
METALWORK
The North Drawing Room retains its original gilt bronze chandelier of c1670. 17th century contemporaries remarked upon the extravagance of the profusion of silver mounts extending to grates and fireplace furniture and many of these survive.
CERAMICS
The Duchess of Lauderdale had an important collection of oriental porcelain which no longer remains at Ham, though a single 17th century Chinese teapot was donated through the NA-CF in 1994.
- | Subjects: | Textiles Furniture Architecture | Temporal: | 17th century - early 1600-1629 17th century - late 1676-1699 | Source: | Cornucopia - Discovering UK Collections | Address: | Ham Street, Ham
Richmond
London Great Britain (UK),
TW10 7RS | FAX: | 020 8332 6903 | Telephone: | 020 8940 1950 | Identifier: | oai:www.cornucopia.org.uk:5996 | Go to resource |
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