Chimneypiece (Library)
Category
Architecture / Features & Decoration
Date
1870
Materials
Wood
Measurements
1290 mm (H)1480 mm (W)190 mm (D)
Order this imageCollection
Speke Hall, Merseyside (Accredited Museum)
NT 1197768
Caption
The Library is one of the interiors created by Frederick Leyland, tenant of the Hall 1867-77. The fireplace is a wonderful piece of gilded carving, inspired by 16th-century motifs in the Great Hall and incorporating Dutch Delftware tiles of c.1800. The William Morris wallpaper of ‘Pomegranate’ pattern, first printed in 1864, is one of several original Morris papers surviving at Speke from the late 1860s.
Summary
Wood, chimneypiece of the Library of Speke Hall, British (English) School, 1870. A stained and gilt wood chimneypiece, the mantel shelf with ribbed edge, supported on etiolated columns with chevron decoration and scrolled capitals; the lintel with applied oak leaf sprays flanking a central lion mask; the overmantel panelled between fluted Ionic pilasters supporting a frieze inscribed 'A.FRENDE.LOVETH.ATTE.ALL.TYMES.' cf. SPE.M.112.B.