Wall Panelling Corporation

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At Nether Lypiatt near Stroud in Gloucestershire is a perfect little house of this period. Built about 1690 it still holds all its original features unspoiled by time and kept perfect by a succession of careful owners. In the hall is a sculptured marble fireplace, the central decoration of a swag of flowers and scallop shell is carved in white marble set into a background of palest blue. The rest is white, and the whole gives an impression that might have inspired the original Wedgwood design. It is the only ornamental feature in a beautifully proportioned setting. The wall panelling is of pine and has been waxed for two and a half centuries so that its rich honey-colour glows with reflected light. The original brass locks and hinges are still on the heavy doors with their wide moulded frame.

Another room, the Library, holds at one end a pedimented bookcase, supported by simple pilasters, again a single feature of predominating interest and classic simplicity.

Many of the rooms are painted but those that have been waxed only are, somehow, more alive, forthey catch and reflect every flicker of a flame, and glow when the sun shines.

Another well preserved house which must have been built more or less at the same time is Momperson House in the Close at Salisbury, Wiltshire. This house (now wisely chosen as the new Bishop's Palace) is much the same size as Nether Lypiatt but differs considerably in its scheme of decoration.

 

Doors and windows have skilfully carved frames, carved oak beam has been used on ceilings and on the walls of the staircase. There is a carved overmantel in the drawing-room designed to frame a picture or portrait, and a sculptured classic design with head and basket of flowers and fruit in a front room. This had, when I saw it, been picked out in colour, which unfortunately did much to destroy its original rhythm, but the beauty of the design is remarkable in spite of the paint and shows the very great skill of the artist employed.

 

 

A Detail of Classic Adaptation

 

One of the really charming details in this particular house is that of the scallop-­shell on the staircase. There is rarely a design of this time that does not include the scallop in some form or other but in this particular instance its design in triplicate is unusual and it reminds one more than ever of the ladies head-dresses of the time-upside-down the inspiration is too obvious to pass without remark.

The long sash window (illustrated overleaf), one of the most important features of the newly built house often claimed its share of classic ornament. In this in­stance the mouldings are all based on designs that appear in the architectural ornament of Ancient Rome. The egg and dart, laurel leaf, and acanthus, but in each case they have slightly differing detail which gives them originality.