The Chinese Gallery--The Music Room--The Yellow Drawing-room--The
Saloon--The Green Drawing-room.
'The CHINESE GALLERY which ranges immediately behind the Saloon and its
communicating apartments, is 162 feet in length, and 17 feet wide. This
space is partially separated into five divisions, of unequal extent and
elevation, by trellis work in imitation of bamboo.
'The central division is surrounded by a Chinese Canopy of similar
trellis work, hung with bells, and surmounted by a coved ornamental
ceiling, which projects through the upper floor, and is illumined by a
horizontal light of stained glass, measuring twenty two feet in length,
and eleven feet in width. On this light is represented _Lin-Shin_,
the god of thunder, surrounded by his drums, and flying, as described
in the mythology of China. His right hand wields a mace, or sceptre,
"wherewith to strike the drums, and arouse the thunder"; and, with his
left, he apparently upholds an elegant glass lamp, ornamentally tinted
and enriched by clusters of brilliant drops. Other sections of the
light exhibit the Imperial five clawed dragon, amidst fancy borderings
of different hues. Vertical transparencies, in a similar style, in
imitative frames of bamboo, enrich the ends immediately below the
ceiling, and corresponding embellishments are painted on each side.
'On the west side, beneath the canopy, and directly facing the
middle entrance, is a curiously designed chimney piece worked in
brass and iron to imitate bamboo; and, over it, is a looking glass
of considerable magnitude. At a little distance, right and left, are
two large niches, lined with yellow marble, containing cabinets; and,
on them, in erect positions, are plaster casts, painted, of a male
and female Chinese figure, in their proper costume. There are, also,
four similar niches in the other divisions of the gallery, occupied
by Indian cabinets, etc.; as well as two recesses, each containing a
pagoda of six stories, wrought in porcelain. At various angles of the
ceiling, in place of the Chinese standards, to which they were formerly
attached, tasteful lanterns of stained glass are suspended, exhibiting,
on their respective sides, mythological devices, with flowers, birds,
insects and other ornaments, tinted in a very effective and striking
manner.
'The walls are battened, and the canvas is painted throughout with a
delicate peach blossom, as a ground colour, on which rocks, trees,
shrubs, birds and other embellishments in the Chinese style are very
neatly pencilled in a subdued tone of pale blue. There are three
fire places, over which stand beautiful jars and vases of china and
porcelain, intermingled with open tulips and lotus flowers of stained
glass, inclosing branches for lights. Many large jars and other vessels
and figures of China ware, are, also, distributed throughout the
gallery, the furniture of which is entirely of an oriental description.
All the couches and chairs, which are numerous, are of ivory, curiously
figured; and, in some instances, variegated with black.
'The extreme compartments to the north and south, are occupied by
double Staircases, rendered light and airy in appearance by the steps
being fronted with perforated brass and iron work; the railings are of
cast iron, wrought and painted to resemble bamboo. These compartments
are illumined by horizontal lights of stained glass, of similar
elevation and accordant adornments to that of the central division
of the Gallery; the southern one exhibiting the Imperial five clawed
dragon, surrounded by flying bats, and the northern one the Chinese
bird of Royalty called the _Fum_, with other ornaments. Above the
landing place, at the north end, are also three windows, each being
embellished with a full sized representation, in stained glass, of a
Chinese god; and corresponding imitative windows are depicted over the
southern landing place. The staircases lead into an upper gallery, or
corridor, which communicates with the superior bed rooms and other
apartments. When the doors at the ends of the Gallery, which are
fronted with looking glass, are closed, an almost magical illusion is
produced, the perspective appearing interminable. The carpeting is
of English manufacture, and accords, in decoration, with the other
furniture. From the respective extremities of this Gallery, access is
obtained to the Music Room and the Banqueting Room.
'THE MUSIC ROOM.
'No verbal description, however elaborate, can convey to the mind, or
imagination of the reader, an appropriate idea of the magnificence
of this apartment; and even the creative delineations of the pencil,
combined with all the illusions of colour, would scarcely be adequate
to such an undertaking. Yet, luxuriously resplendent and costly as the
adornments are, they are so intimately blended with the refinements of
an elegant taste, that every thing appears in keeping, and in harmony.
'The ground plan of this apartment forms a square of forty two feet,
enlarged to the north and south by rectangular recesses, ten feet in
depth; thus extending the entire length to sixty two feet. The square
part, at the height of twenty three feet, is surrounded by a splendid
canopy, or cornice, ornamented with carved shield work, flower drops,
stars, etc.; and supported, at the angles, by slender, reticulated,
tree like columns, richly gilt. Immediately above this is an octagon
gallery, ten feet high, formed by a series of eight elliptical arches,
pierced by windows of a similar shape, and connected by intervening
spandrils. The windows, which are so contrived as to be illumined from
the exterior, are enriched with stained glass displaying numerous
Chinese devices, and similar decorations, in green gold, surround them.
A convex cove, four feet in elevation, forms the next architectural
feature, and, upon that, is based a very elegant dome, or cupola
(thirty feet in diameter), which is faced, throughout, with scale
work, in green gold, resembling escallop shells; these ornaments, by
decreasing in size as they ascend, add much to the apparent height of
the room, which, at this point, is forty one feet.
'At the apex, expanding in bold relief and vivid colouring, is a vast
foliated ornament, bearing a general resemblance to a sunflower, with
many smaller flowers issuing from it, in all the luxuriancy of seeming
cultivation. From this, apparently projected from the calyx, depends
a very beautiful lustre of cut glass, designed in the pagoda style,
and sustaining, by its chain work, an immense lamp in the form of the
_Nelumbrium_, or Water-lily. The upper leaves are of white ground
glass, edged with gold, and enriched with transparent devices derived
from the mythology of the Chinese; the lower leaves are of a pale
crimson hue. At the bottom are golden dragons, in attitudes of flight.
Eight smaller lamps, but of corresponding forms and decoration, are
suspended from the projecting angles of the canopy; adding greatly to
the general effect when illumined for evening parties.
'On the eastern side of this room, light is admitted by five windows,
the draperies of which, composed of blue and crimson satins, and yellow
silks, richly fringed, are upheld by golden dragons, and supported,
at the sides, by large serpents of a silvery hue. In front of the
intervening piers (on elevated pedestals, manufactured by Spode) stand
four pagoda towers of oriental porcelain, each of which consists
of eight stories, and is fifteen feet in height; the pedestals are
embellished with varied landscapes and flowers. Many other rare and
valuable specimens of oriental china and jasper, in large jars, vases,
etc., are included among the ornamental furniture of this room.
'On the west side is a magnificent chimney piece, of statuary marble,
designed by Westmacott, and very beautifully wrought. The sweep of
cornice in the centre is supported on the expanded wings of a finely
sculptured dragon; and each of the jambs, which are, in fact, short,
circular columns, having bases and capitals of conjoined lotus leaves,
is surrounded by eight small columns of _ormolu_, and otherwise
enriched. The stove, fender, fire irons, etc., which were manufactured
by Cutler, in a superior style of workmanship to most others, are of
polished steel and _ormolu_. Over the chimney piece is an effulgent
looking glass, measuring nearly twelve feet by eight, surmounted by
a tasteful and glittering canopy, supported by tree like columns of
radiant gold. In front, stands a superb time piece, of curious and
elaborate design; the base exhibits a rock and a palm-tree; around
the latter a dragon entwines, and appears to be darting its sting at
a figure behind, who wields an uplifted spear. At the top are Venus
and Cupid, with the peacock of Love; and, below them, is the god Mars,
who is climbing upwards, as though to view the beauties of the Paphian
queen. Large and elegant China vases, with golden branches for lights,
are placed on each side the time piece, together with other vessels of
rich jasper.
'The walls, where not otherwise adorned, are covered with paintings,
in imitation of the crimson japan. The subjects introduced are twelve
in number, and consist of views in China principally taken in the
neighbourhood of that "far famed, but little known, metropolis" Pekin;
they are of a bright yellow colour, heightened with gold; and, in
delicacy of execution, and beauty of pencilling, are scarcely to be
exceeded by the best miniature paintings. Much fancy is displayed in
the framework; the inner borderings being composed of a running pattern
of rich foliage, and the outer ones of blue and yellow fret work,
heightened with gold: at the upper corners are flying dragons.
'The recesses at the north and south ends are each canopied by a
convex curve representing rows of bamboos, confined by ribands, and
terminating in the square of the room; these are partly sustained by
large columns of crimson and flowered gold, which are entwined by
enormous serpents, depicted in all their glowing diversity of colour,
and vivid expression of animal power. Similar columns, but of greater
height, are ranged on the western side of this apartment. Within the
northern recess, and a separate room extending behind it to the depth
of twenty feet, stands a large organ, which was built by Lincoln in
the year 1818, and is celebrated both for great powers, and peculiar
delicacy of tone. It has three rows of keys, twenty eight stops, and
twenty pedals; and its compass extends from C.C.C. with a double
diapason throughout.
'There are two entrances to this apartment, one from the Chinese
Gallery, and the other from the Yellow Drawing-room, each under a
superb canopy of crimson and gold, ornamented with dragons and musical
bells, and supported by golden columns entwined by dragons. There is no
outlet on the opposite side, but the general uniformity is preserved
by apparent entrances, corresponding in embellishments with those
described.
'The carpet, which was manufactured in Axminster, to fit the room, is
one of the largest in the kingdom, its dimensions being sixty one feet
by forty, and its weight about 1,700 lbs. It is wrought with Chinese
subjects in gold colour, on a light blue ground, including suns, stars,
serpents, dragons, birds, insects, and other forms. The sofas and
chairs, which are of yellow satin and gold, accord with the surrounding
objects; the arm chairs are partially dove coloured.
'THE YELLOW DRAWING ROOM, has been so much altered since it was fitted
up by the Prince of Wales, that it now bears little resemblance to
Pugin's drawing of it. As there delineated, the walls displayed a
series of pictures in the Chinese style, intermingled with other
characteristic embellishments, and numerous Chinese lanterns were
suspended from flying dragons issuing from the cornice.
'This is the intervening apartment between the Saloon and the Music
Room, and is the one that usually becomes the sitting room of the
Royal party when residing at the Palace. Its length is fifty six feet,
and its extreme breadth, to the windows, about thirty three feet. The
ceiling is partly supported by two oriental columns, of white and
gold, enwreathed by serpents, and branching into umbrella capitals
hung with bells. The Cornice, or Canopy, which surrounds the room,
is also diversified by pendent bells. The draperies, etc., are of
striped satin; and the walls are panelled in white, with richly gilt
borderings. The principal chairs and sofas are covered to match the
drapery; and, on the back of every chair, is a small Chinese figure,
seated, with a bell in each hand. There are five windows on the east
side (besides two others in the semicircular returns), and, in front
of each intermediate pier, is a sexagon stand of porcelain, sustaining
branch lights. The chimney piece, which is of brown coloured marble,
is elegantly designed; at the angles are small columns, and within
a niche in each jamb is a Chinese figure. On the mantel shelf is a
handsome dial, by Vulliamy, with ornamental accessories, including
Chinese figures of white china, in draperies enriched with gold. Among
the furniture are Buhl tables, with grotesque borderings, beautifully
inlaid. On the side and end tables are many jars and vases of Asiatic
and Sèvres porcelain; several of which are of a pale sea green colour,
elegantly wrought with flowers, butterflies, and other forms. The doors
are panelled with plate glass.
'THE SALOON, which forms the centre of the suite in the eastern front,
is magnificently decorated, almost every part being effulgent with
gold. Its general plan is a circle, thirty five feet in diameter,
surmounted by a cupola, and enlarged to the north and south by
coved semicircular recesses (of a ten feet radius), which include
the entrances from the apartments communicating with the Music and
Banqueting rooms. The Cupola springs from a boldly projecting cornice,
composed of various mouldings, apparently, of massive gold, crowned
by a running ornament of flowers, and pendent bells. The ceiling
represents a lightly clouded sky (the sun being dimly seen); in the
centre of which is a gorgeous bird, in full relief, with wings of
flowered gold and silver, enwreathed with serpents, resplendently
coloured crimson and green. This sustains one of the most elaborate
and finely devised lustres, of cut glass, that was ever executed. Its
height is about eighteen feet, and its varying and brilliant tiers
of glittering drops are surrounded, towards the bottom, by radiant
burners, the light of which is softened and diffused around by globes
of ground glass. Four smaller lustres, but of corresponding fancy and
workmanship, are pendent from the ceilings of the recesses.
'On the eastern side are three large windows, splendidly adorned
with festooned curtains of flowered satin, crimson and gold; and the
panels, and other divisions, are enriched with corresponding drapery.
Between the windows are two very large pier glasses, reaching nearly
from the ground to the cornice; and other large glasses surmount the
entrance doorways; all the framework is of an elegantly conceived
pattern, designed from the lotus leaf; and every frame has a rich
canopy, springing from dragons' heads. On the west side is a sumptuous
chimney piece of statuary marble, with enrichments of _ormolu_; and,
in each jamb, within a niche, stands a Chinese figure; these figures,
which are of metal, are highly painted and varnished, and the dresses
are finely pencilled. Over the chimney piece is a vast looking glass,
thirteen feet high, and eight feet wide, in front of which stands an
elegant dial by Vulliamy; this is supported by couchant dragons of blue
porcelain, and enclosed in a China case surrounded by golden wreaths of
the lotus and sunflower plants. Surmounting the dial, is a Chinese male
figure seated, with a boy on his shoulder, a girl at his side, and a
dog on his lap.
'At the sides of the recesses are enriched pilasters; each shaft
of which exhibits a kind of caduceus, enwreathed by double headed
serpents, in gold. The doors, which are folding, and also double, are
beautifully ornamented in Japan work, in panels, curiously embossed
with flowering shrubs, birds of different kinds (including peacocks,
parrots, and cockatoos), rabbits, a porcupine frightened by snakes,
insects, etc., in variously coloured gold. On the side piers, between
the doors, are represented pagodas in rockery scenery, together
with a lake teeming with water flowers of many species, and, in the
sky, flying dragons. Great invention and very skilful execution are
displayed by all these designs.
'Large vases of china, and other vessels in rich settings, beautifully
wrought with sundry kinds of insects, in low relief, constitute a part
of the ornamental furniture of the Saloon; which, also, includes some
fine cabinets, and splendid ottomans of ruby coloured silk, fringed
with gold, with couches and chairs of corresponding elegance. The
carpet, which is of Axminster manufacture, is wrought on a circular
plan, to fit the room, accords with the other decorations. In the
centre is a dragon and two serpents, surrounded by lotus flowers
and leaves; roses, stars, serpents, and other forms, in alternating
succession, diversify the borderings.
'THE GREEN DRAWING ROOM, OR BANQUETING ROOM GALLERY, which connects
the Banqueting Room with the Saloon, was originally called the _Blue
Drawing Room_, from the general tone of its decorations. Chinese
lanterns were suspended from the cornice and ceiling, and paintings
of Chinese scenery and trellis work covered the walls; but it was,
subsequently, altered, and scarcely a vestige of its former state
remains except the stoves and chimney pieces. It is now called the
_Green Drawing Room_, from the prevalent hue of its draperies, which
are of richly woven silks, of a pale green colour, tastefully wrought
with groups of fruit and flowers.
'This apartment is fifty two feet in length, and about thirty three
feet in extreme breadth. The ceiling, which is surrounded by an
enriched cornice, is partly sustained by two oriental columns, crowned
with spreading foliage. The walls are panelled white, with broad fret
like borders, in gold; and, on the west side, under a festooned canopy,
is a recess for a couch, with fluted drapery at the back, radiating
from a central flower. On the same side, surmounted by large looking
glasses, are two handsome chimney pieces of white marble, having
ornamental accessories in _ormolu_ and bronze. A clock by Vulliamy, and
two beautiful jars of porcelain, upholding branch lights, stand on each
shelf; and many other rich vessels of china and porcelain are ranged on
Indian cabinets and side tables, in different parts of the room. But
the most _récherché_ of all, are two vases, and two ewers of Chinese
manufacture, which occupy high pedestals in front of the window piers;
they approach to the Egyptian form, and are of a sea green colour,
variegated with gold; each of these vessels is about three feet in
height. Several of the tables are of rosewood inlaid with _ormolu_; and
one table is of rich tortoise shell, similarly embellished. The door
panels are of looking glass.'
[Illustration: Decorative motif]
[Illustration: Decorative panel]