63
THE ESTATES GAZETTE,
January 14, 1899.
some early Jacobean chairs, now so worm-eaten as to be crumbling into decay. These have the rails of the framing close to the floor.
In the Brown Gallery one meets with those chairs of Byzantine design and Venetian make, whose pattern, that of a modified curule with back and arms fringed and studded with copper-gilt nails, though the actual framework approaches almost to the chair of Dagobert. The frame, however, is of painted wood. There are, besides, contemporaneous armchairs with columnar legs, and also a number of quaint seats and stools with wrought silk and velvet coverings, which are probably the oldest in the house. The silver sconces of James I. and his queen should also be noted.
In the Chamber of Lady Betty Germaine, who died in 1703, is a suite of very remarkable chairs, with high sloping cane backs, and carved walnut framing slightly gilt. The Mortlake Tapestry was designed by Vandyck.
The (spangled Bed Boom has another of the Byzantine chairs and the bedstead hung with crimson satin, embroidered with gold and silver, which was presented by James I. to Lionel, Earl of Middlesex. Here also is the massive old cabinet in veneer of ebony ; while in the adjoining dressing room are stools with spiral carving.
The Venetian Bed Boom, prepared for the reception of Nicolo Molina, the Venetian Ambassador, presents another fine contemporaneous picture. The State Bed, with richly-carved canopy and Genoese velvet curtains and gilt headboard ; the ebony mirror and dressing table encrusted with silver, and candelabra of silver; the stools, with carved rails; the Gobelin tapestry and other details, make up a harmonious whole. The dressing room has also seventeenth century furniture.
The Leicester Gallery is notable for its sofa with suite, their rails painted with red lacquer ornamented with a foliated pattern in gold. The sofa has ends letting down, and there are some old English chairs with seats turning up; a billiard table of early Georgian or late Queen Anne date ; and, above all, the Byzantine armchair in which James I. sat for the portrait which hangs above it. The suite of ■settee and chairs in rose-coloured velvet, now nearly faded to gray, dates from the reign of James I.
There is still in one of the attics a dumbbell frame, which was worked by a cord running through the floor on the same principle as church bells. The dumb-bells are much elongated, and the old relic probably explains the origin of the term.
The sofa above-named, which dates from about 1620, is thus referred to in Mr. C. East-lake’s “Hints on Household Taste”: “The joints are properly tennoned and pinneditogether !n such a manner as to ensure its constant stability. The back is formed like that of a chair, with a horizontal rail only at its upper edge; but it receives additional strength from the second rail, which is introduced at the back of the seat.” The movable sides, like the back and cushions of the seat, are stuffed with feathers.
The Leicester Gallery contains another object of interest in the long roll of the Sackville and Curzon pedigrees prepared in 1623, which is also about the date of the bulk of the furniture in the three galleries.
The Chapel, which was built by Archbishop Bourchier before 1486 contains notable tapestry, some in gold thread, and an interesting wood carving, representing the Crucifixion, presented by Mary Queen of Scots to Thomas Sackville.
Among the rooms not shown may be named the Library, noted for its lovely Chippendale chairs, Cranmer’s Bed Boom, with carved oak chimney piece and press; the attics, too, are said to be full of ancient relics beyond that referred to which would surprise a student of ancient fittings.
The one regrettable circumstance at Knole is that during the 18th century the beautiful oak carvings in the screen of the Great Hall, the principal staircase, and the frieze and panelling of the ball room, have been obscured by paint. The time, trouble, and cost of restoration are tremendous, as was proved in a similar case at Stationers’ Hall.
(To be continued.)
A Useful Map of London was issued with the “Builder” for January 7, which will prove particularly handy to house agents and surveyors, property owners, builders and others who are interested in building operations in the metropolis. It has been specially prepared, by permission of the Building Act Committee, from the official map of the London County Council, and clearly indicates the boundaries of the surveyors’ districts under the Building Act, giving a complete list of the district surveyors, with their addresses and office hours. The map has been produced with much care, and may be relied upon as being accurate and “ up-to-date.” Mn. J. B. Gough, Morecambe, last week disposed of the freehold property and grocery business at 92, Clarendon-road, WesGend, Morecambe, for £1,000. The purchaser was a Mr. Berry, of Accrington.
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XXI.
OLD FUBNITUBE AT KNOLE.
Although this renowned manor house has passed through many hands, three leading periods of occupancy stand out from all the rest, namely, first, that of the Bethunes, in the time of King John, who intermarried with the Mareschals, Earl of Pembroke, part of whose building remains at the north-east corner of the present structure ; secondly, that of Archbishop Bourchier, who purchased the manor from Baron Saye and .Seale for 40'0 marks, in 1456, and bequeathed it at his death to the see of Canterbury ; and, thirdly, the Sackvilles, who have held it from the time of Queen Elizabeth’s gift to the present moment.
The shelf of the house is the work of Bourchier, and the gateway of the second court still bears his name; but when Thomas Sackville, first Earl of Dorset, took possession in 1603, he set to work to re-case the private apartments, and to give the whole, except the Green Court front, ai Jacobean aspect, employing constantly 200 workmen until his death at the Council board in 1608. Leaden waterspouts throughout with his initials and the dates 1603 and 1605, show that he repaired the house in every part; but the curved and stepped gables and much panelling are ■the chief signs of his work.
Knole House comprises in all some 140 rooms, and the presence of 60 staircases proves that the first earl modified the internal arrangements to the destruction of many more.
The value of Knole from the present point of view is, however, that almost all the furniture and fittings of the portion so generously thrown open to the public throughout the latter half of each week by the present Lord Sackville, are in keeping with the Jacobean restoration or renewal of the imposing structure, which covers some 3¿ acres; while many of the seats supply excellent examples of style and workmanship.
In the very gatehouse of the central or entrance tower, beneath silver maces and horn lanterns, are some old oak armchairs, a coffer, and a settle of oak inlaid with various woods. Under Bourcbier’s gateway there are long framed seats fixed to the walls, while on entering the Great Hall a similar arrangement is witnessed. This apartment is 75ft. in length, and 27ft. in breadth and height. The screen which supports the minstrels’ gallery dates from 1603; it is divided by terminal figures into panels ornamented with shields and supporting an arcade of ten Benaissance arches. One of the three old framed tables runs the length of the hall below the dais, which now bears a roughly-made folding table with neat legs, a panelled 16th century coffer, and a suite of cane-seated armchairss. On the ־wall are the old scroll boxes for the patents of nobility.
The chapel passage adjoining has two contemporary box settees, one with panels carved as Benaissance arches, another with a rail back ; three chests, one panelled in arches, another inlaid with bog oak and holly, the third plainer ; and an oak cabinet with egg and half-spindle ornament. These, however, were collected by the late Lord Sackville.
The only other incongruity occurs in the first show room, and is due to the same nobleman, who thought to improve the ball room by mingling with the original furniture a quantity of heavy Louis Seize chairs and console tables.
One speedily recovers from the shock upon entering the “ Beynolds ” or Crimson Drawing Boom, where the entire suite is of high-backed chairs upholstered in what was crimson velvet in the sixteenth century, now faded to a dark cherry colour.
The Cartoon Gallery, 90ft. in length, is completely lined with seventeenth and eighteenth century furniture, notable among which are carved chairs of the earlier period covered with Genoa velvet, and probably made in Italy. The cane-backed chairs with spiral carving in the rails and legs belong to the later period. The fire-dogs are of silver richly chased. The room contains the Lord Treasurer’s Chest of the first Earl of Dorset, of Bussia leather, studded with brass nails.
The furniture of the King’s Bed Boom, specially prepared by Thomas Sackville for the reception of James I., is said to have cost £20,000. The bed, with its simple pillars and carved headboard, shows the change from the ponderous carved oak bedstead of Elizabethan days. There is an Italian cabinet of ebony inlaid with stained ivory, and a French sixteenth century carved ebony cabinet. The famous silver-coated table, mirror, and toilet service, reproduced in electrotype at Kensington, are in this room; the carved stools in the Yenetian style have legs carved as Cupids and connecting stretchers carved as cupids holding up a crown. The great influx of silver to England commenced in 1561.
The organ room is one of the most interesting of the series; it is wainscotted with plain boards, and contains a spinet ornamented with a Benaissance arcade, a very early organ, and
Interest culminates in the huge canvas, “ Arthur in Avalon,” begun in 1890, and on which the artist was still at work at the time of his death. It represents King Arthur sleeping after his last battle in the Isle of Avalon, watched by the three queens, his armour guarded, and an outlook kept by attendants until the time prepared for the great king’s awakening and return to earth. In it Burne-Jones returns somewhat ■to his earlier style. It has something of the richness of colour, the archaic simplicity and pure mediaeval spirit of “The Prioress’s Tale,” painted in 1865. In looking at these beautiful pictures, the visitor feels the truth of Dante Gabriel Bossetti’s testimony as to the value of his friend’s work. “ If, as I hold,” said Bossetti, “ the noblest picture is a painted poem, then I say that in the whole history of Art there has never been a painter more greatly gifted than Burne-Jones with the highest qualities of poetical invention.”
SALES OF THE WEEK.
Chinese Porcelain.
The collection formed by the late Mr. Win. Forbes was sold by Messrs. Christie on the 6th instant. It produced a total of £1,566 9s., and included the following pieces of old Chinese enamelled porcelain:—A powdered-blue vase, decorated with grotesque figures in white and brown, 17in. high, 60 guineas; a cylindrical vase, enamelled with fish in panels and birds and insects in shaped medallions, 17in. high, 78 guineas ; a vase, enamelled with branches of prunus in green and buff, birds and insects on black ground, 18in. high, 290 guineas; and a globular famille verte bottle, with long neck, green ground, enamelled with flowers in brilliant colours, 18in. high, 95 guineas. The whole-coloured porcelain included a long-neclied mottled-green bottle, with kylin heads in relief, 41 guineas; and a tall crimson crackle vase, 24in. high, 36 guineas׳. A pair of old Nankin jars, with branches of hawthorn, 13in. high, made 52 guineas.
Pictures.
On the 7th inst., Messrs. Christie sold some ancient and modern pictures and water-colour drawings from numerous private collections; the more interesting of these included two drawings by W. Callow, the Grand Canal, Venice, and Yevey, Lake of Geneva■, both dated 1842, 56 guineas; two pictures by H. Fantin, a basket of grapes and apples, 1879, 33 guineas, and a basket of grapes, 1883, 35 guineas; T. Jones Barker, Napoleon at Areola, 1852, 37 guineas ; and AY. Etty, Bacchas and Ariadne, 50 guineas.
Foreign Stamps.
Some interesting specimens of foreign stamps from the collection of the late Mr. Gilbert Lockyer, were sold by Messrs. Ventom, Bull and Cooper, at St. Martin’s Town Hall, on the 6th inst. The principal prices realised were as follows :•—Naples, ¿ tórnese blue “arms,” £11 ; Tuscany, 2 soldi, £5 12s. 6d. ; Tuscany, 60 crazie torn, £4 6s. ; Ceylon, no watermark, 9d. brown unused, £4; Ceylon, watermark C. and C.A., 16c. lilac, unused, £4	4s. ; British
Columbia, 2¿d. imperforate, a pair, £42 ; Nevis, Is. on bluish unused, £4; Nevis, 6d. lithographed unused, £6 2s. 6d. ; Nevis, 6d. green unused, £4 7s. 6d. ; Virgin Isles, 6d. rose unused, £4 5s. ; Barbados, ¿d. green compound perforate unused, £3 2s. 6d. ; Barbados, Id. on half 5s., rose-red, £5 15s. ; St. Vincent, 4d. on Is. vermilion, £7 10s. ; St. Vincent, watermark star, 5s. rose unused, £11 15s. ; British Honduras, perforate 12^ per cent. 3c. on 3d. brown, £5 ; New South Wales, Sydney view, 2d. blue, £40; New South Wales, Sydney view, 3d. green unused, £40; New South Wales, laureated Id. carmine unused, £16; South Australia, collection of departmentals, £10; Western Australia, first issue 2d. rouletted, £4 17s. 6d. The total sale exceeded £1,000.
Books.
The more interesting items in Messrs. Sotheby’s two days’ book sale ended on Tuesday were : —Oameons, “ La Lusiade,” translated from the Portuguese into French by Duperron de Castera, 1768, with the arms of Mme. du Barry, £13 ; 0. and M. Lamb, “ Mrs. Leicester’s School,” 1809, in the original sheepskin, £15 10s. ; D. Loggan, “ Oxonia Illus-trata,” 1675, and “ Cantabrigia Illustrata,” 1688, £19 15s. ; A. Tennyson, " Poems,” chiefly Lyrical,” a. fine uncut copy of the first edition, 1830, £10 15s. ; A. Tennyson, “ Poems,” a fine copy in original boards, 1833, £13 15s. ; two first editions of works by W. S. Landor, “ Simonides,” in the original boards, uncut, Bath, 1806, £9 ; and “ Gebir,” in the original wrappers, 1798, £10; a copy of the first folio edition of Chapman’s translation of “ Homer, Prince of Poets,” 1610, £15 10s. ; a copy of the first■ folio edition of Shakespeare, 1623, sold with all faults, £31 ; and an unusually tall copy of the second folio (13¿in. by 8fin.), 1632, also sold with all faults, £22 10s. The sale realised £926 11s.
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[SPECIALLY CONTRI!¡ UTED.]
A quantity of valuable furniture, works of art, and china is to be sold, by instructions from Sophia, Marchioness of Anglesey, at Huntley’s, Tunbridge Wells, on January 25 and 26, by Mr. E. J. Carter. The catalogue comprises several carved oak Elizabethan dining room chairs, Louis XVI. cabinets, paintings by Bomney, Van Jansen, Hondekoeter, and others, and a large and unique collection of Sevres, Dresden, Worcester, Crown Derby, Bow, Swansea, and other china.
We are glad to be able to announce that an exhibition of pictures of singular interest will be held in the City Gallery, at the Guildhall, during the approaching season. It will consist of works in oil and water colours by Turner, illustrating the various periods of his art and phases of his genius; likewise a selection of examples by deceased artists of the British school, such as Beynolds, Gainsborough, Bomney, B. Wilson, Constable, and Etty.
It is unusual to ■see a First Folio edition of Shakespeare, 1623, sold for £31—the comparatively low price obtained for a copy at Messrs. Sotheby’s on Tuesday. It is right to add, however, that this particular copy was very imperfect. At the Ashburnham sale last year a First Folio fetched £585. Tuesday’s sale included a copy of the Second Folio edition of 1632 (also imperfect), which realised £22 10s. ; and a copy of George Chapman’s translation of Homer (first folio edition, circa. 1610), which sold for £15 10s.
Collectors have sometimes been called stupid (and indeed there are some to whom the epithet is not altogether inappropriate), but we are glad to find that they are not entirely destitute of the finer feelings. The repulsive item in Mr. J. C. Stevens’s catalogue on Monday, relating to two “ hangman’s ropes ” and a white cap used for the execution of several notorious assassins by James Berry, with some autograph letters relating thereto, provoked not the slightest enthusiasm, and was finally knocked down for 20s. At the same sale, the gold-headed malacca cane, with which Bobert Pate struck the Queen in the year 1850, was, in consequence of a hint from high quarters, withdrawn.
We wish to draw the attention of autograph collectors to an interesting sale at Messrs. Sotheby’s on the 21st instant. The collection will include specimens of Charles I., William Congreve, Charles Dickens, Thackeray, John Keats, Charles Lamb, Lord Nelson, and David Garrick. The Lamb autograph note is so characteristic of the essayist that we quote it for the edification of our readers. It is written to the editor of a, magazine about payment for contributions, and it runs as follows:—“I had Twenty guineas a sheet from the London ; and what 1 did for them was more worth that sum, than anything, I am afraid, I can now produce, would be worth the lesser sum. I used up all my best thoughts in that publication, and I do not like to go on writing worse and worse, and feeling that I do so.” The note, we believe, has never before been published.
On Monday next and two following days, Messrs. Sotheby will dispose ■of the valuable collection of Greek, Boman, and English coins, the property of the late Lord Deramore; Scottish coins, the property of the Society of Antiquaries of 1Scotland ; and the fine collection of Oriental coins of his Excellency the late Subhi Pacha. The sale will also include Colonial, American, and Oriental coins from other sources, English and Foreign medals, 17th and 18th century tokens, numismatic books, etc.
The announcement of the sale, on the 23rd inst., by Messrs. Slade and Butler, of the contents of No. 4, Lancaster-terrace, North-gate, Begent’s-park, deserves the attention of all interested in works of art. The sale will be particularly rich in Nankin, Delft, old blue, and other choice china, curios, bronzes, etc., from the Condover Hall, Hengrave Hall, Ernest Hart, and other collections. It will also include a number of valuable oil paintings and water colours, by Bomney, Constable, Morland, Landseer, and others, as well as some fine engravings after Sir Joshua Beynolds, Van Dyck, Lely, Hogarth, Kneller, and Sir T. Lawrence, P.B.A.
Lovers of art should not fail to visit the Burne-Jones exhibition at the New Gallery. The collection—numbering about 140 pictures ■—contains most of the painter’s greatest and best known works. Here, to mention but a few, are “Laus Veneris,” “Love among the Buins,” “The Mirror of Venus,” “The Golden Stairs,” “ The Hesperides,” “ The Seven Days of Creation,” “ The Hours,” “ The Wine of Circe,” “ The Depths of the Sea,” “ The Wheel of Fortune,” “The Briar Bose,' the “Pygmalion ” series, and the “ Perseus ” series—the last lent by Mr. Arthur Balfour.